Holly Springs Update: One Year of Local News, Built for the Community

Publisher Chris Hendricks reflects on why Holly Springs Update was launched, what a year of local reporting has meant for the community, and how readers can help shape what comes next.

Phot Credit / HSU Staff

Holly Springs, NC, Jan. 1, 2026

Dear Readers,

Just over a year ago, Holly Springs Update (site) began with a simple observation and a clear need: Holly Springs had no consistent, locally based news coverage. In media terms, it was a news desert. Important decisions were being made, neighborhoods were growing, schools were opening, and residents deserved a reliable place to stay informed.

I moved to Holly Springs in early 2018, and I quickly noticed the gap. At first, I settled in like everyone else. But over time, it became harder to ignore. I kept hearing neighbors trade rumors or well-intentioned guesses about what was happening at Town Hall, with new developments, or around new businesses. When I tried to help answer those questions, I often found there wasn’t a clear, reliable place to point people. By the fall of 2024, that realization finally pushed me to act.

That’s why I launched Holly Springs Update in November of 2024.

From the beginning, the goal was not to build a paid-subscription product for a few, but a free, public-service-like publication for everyone. I firmly believe an informed resident base makes for a stronger, healthier community, and access to local news shouldn’t depend on who can afford a subscription.

What started as a publication focused exclusively on Holly Springs has steadily grown. While our primary commitment remains here at home, coverage has expanded at times to include Fuquay-Varina and Apex when regional issues overlap or matter to South Wake residents.

Over the past year, we’ve covered Town Council decisions, local elections, development proposals, local businesses, schools, state government issues, community events, and high school sports, particularly football. These stories aren’t rewritten press releases or syndicated content. Every article is original reporting, written and edited locally, guided by transparency, accountability, and context.

While readership numbers alone can’t fully measure civic impact, the feedback I’ve received from readers is encouraging. Notes from residents thanking us for covering everything from complex policy discussions to weekend events and Friday night games underscore an important point: Holly Springs Update has become a trusted, everyday community asset. Whether it’s helping residents understand what’s being decided or simply letting families know what’s happening around town, the goal is the same — keep our community informed and connected.

Throughout the year, we published more than 450 stories and distributed them to subscribers via email and automatically to the HSU website, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Newsbreak. The result? Millions of pages read by people interested in what’s going on locally. You can explore the year’s 25 most-read stories to see which topics resonated most by clicking here.

Holly Springs Update is also proud to be a member of the Local Media Consortium, the Local Independent Online News (LION) association, and the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce. These affiliations reinforce our commitment to ethical, independent, community-centered journalism.

Looking ahead, local sponsorships and advertising are on the docket to be added in early 2026. We hope the community’s businesses will step forward to support our efforts to keep residents informed. Several have already expressed interest, and we’ll be communicating opportunities broadly in the months ahead. Any future business model will be built carefully, transparently, and with the same independence that defines our reporting today. The mission remains unchanged: serve the community first.

As Holly Springs continues to grow and change, so will the need for reliable, locally grounded news. Your participation matters. Story ideas, press releases, event submissions, and tips are always welcome, and reader feedback helps shape our coverage. If you value this work, please share it with neighbors and encourage others to subscribe.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and trusting Holly Springs Update to be part of your daily life. I’m grateful you’re on this journey with us.

Sincerely yours,

Chris

Christian A. Hendricks
Founder & Publisher
Holly Springs Update
christian.hendricks@hollyspringsupdate.com

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