Nevada Press Association The best in Nevada journalism since 1924
Hali Bernstein Saylor, Boulder City Review
Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California and graduated from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, I ultimately landed in the Las Vegas area in 2001.
My husband and I have three children. I love animals and had a horse ranch in Southern California where we raised Tennessee Walking Horses and rescued horses in distress. I also assisted with a program that provided equine therapy for disabled individuals.
In Southern California I was involved with the state’s official outdoor play, an annual pageant that portrayed California’s transition from Mexican rule to U.S. statehood and how Native Americans were mistreated. I also was involved in several community theater productions, on stage and as a member of the production crew.
My husband and I love exploring the United States in our trailer. I also love to garden and have a mini orchard in my backyard. I enjoy finding new ways to prepare the fruits and vegetables I grow, including transforming them into jellies and barbecue sauces.
How did you get into journalism?
I have been writing since I was in elementary school. It started with fiction and then progressed into writing about school news for a community newspaper, then as a professional. My desire to write was shaped by issues of the early and mid-1970’s like the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal. With a maiden name like Bernstein, it seems I was destined to become a journalist.
My passion for journalism comes from both finding out what is happening behind the scenes and before everyone else and sharing people’s stories.
What is life like in Boulder City?
Boulder City is a very community oriented town. We have annual events that bring several thousand visitors from throughout the Southwest, including the Spring Jamboree, Best Dam Barbecue Challenge, Art in the Park and Santa’s Electric Night Parade.
One of my favorite events is the Damboree on the Fourth of July. It starts at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and concludes around 9 p.m. with fireworks. It heralds the town’s heritage as the “city that built Hoover Dam” and unites family, friends and high school alumni for the annual parade through downtown that culminates with a giant picnic in the park.
We have a very active group of residents who regularly attend City Council and city committee meetings. They are very passionate about what happens in City Hall and aren’t afraid to let other residents know what they think. This spills over into the pages of the paper.
What have been some of the most-read stories?
One of the most popular features of our paper is the weekly police blotter, which often highlights some of the more unusual tasks our officers are asked to deal with: removing a rattlesnake from someone’s home, chasing bighorn sheep off the highway and helping lost travelers. Our coverage of city politics is very popular, such as when a city employee admitted to an ethics violation for sleeping in a city building.
I was the first to report that entertainer Sonny Bono was running for Congress and I also had an exclusive interview with the late First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s secretary.
How has your paper changed over the years?
Since becoming editor six years ago, I have strived to transform the paper into a trusted source for news. In addition to focusing on our weekly print issue, we have redesigned our website to make it more reader friendly and vastly expanded our social media presence. I want community members to treat the paper as they would a friend. We publish profiles and stories of local residents that go beyond their public personas.
Do you have any unusual stories?
Not only has my career allowed me to meet/interview celebrities, politicians and truly special people, it completely changed my life. I met my husband while writing about community theater performances. He would flirt during interviews. Circumstances changed and we lost track of each other for a few years. Then someone suggested that I actually join a production as an actress to get first hand experience performing in a community theater.
On the first night of rehearsals, my husband and I were surprised to find ourselves part of the same production. We had a lot of downtime backstage in between appearances to truly get to know each other. When the play closed, our relationship continued. We were married six months later.
How do you maintain print readership in the age of the Internet?
It’s a challenge. We aim to provide news our readers can’t get anywhere else. We focus strictly on events and people that are directly tied to Boulder City. We also offer print-only exclusives and online-only exclusives, so for readers who want in-depth stories they must read both our print and online issues.
As the town that built Hoover Dam, we like to have a little “dam” fun by creating “best of” features such as “The best dam tacos in town,” “The best dam place to take visitors” and “Dam cool places to get a drink.”
