North Penn Now is a veteran owned, hyperlocal news service that serves the North Penn region of southeastern Pennsylvania. Launched in August 2018, the site was created to fill a coverage gap in the area, providing accurate and up to date information on news, incidents, elections, events, and local happenings.
Founding and Early History
The site was founded by Keith E. Heffintrayer, a United States Army veteran who served as a forward observer in the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech). Heffintrayer, originally from Allentown, had called Lansdale home for the greater portion of the last 25 years before launching the publication.
His journalism career began in 2010 with the Lansdale Patch, where then editor Tony Di Domizio recruited him to write a weekly column. Under Di Domizio’s mentorship, Heffintrayer grew into a local and then regional contributor. Within a year, he had become an editor, eventually serving in an editorial capacity for Patch sites in Lansdale, Upper Dublin, Ambler, Norristown, Lower Providence, Pottstown, and Perkiomen Valley.
After his time with Patch, Heffintrayer worked as an editor with Hibu, covering anywhere between six to ten community magazines at a time. That experience informed the launch of North Penn Now, which he described as rolling the dice on his own hyperlocal news site to fill a coverage gap.
Acquisition by Access Global Media
In January 2024, North Penn Now was acquired by Access Global Media, a company founded by veteran newspaper banker and media operator James McDonald. The acquisition was part of a broader strategy to consolidate hyperlocal and regional news sites across Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.
Following the acquisition, Heffintrayer took an executive role as Executive Vice President of Editorial Operations and New Markets for the new parent company. The acquired sites, including North Penn Now, typically employ only one or two people to write and distribute local stories, with content focused primarily on breaking news, local entertainment, and sports.
Editorial Leadership and Staff
Tony Di Domizio serves as Managing Editor for North Penn Now, Central Bucks Now, and Perk Valley Now. Di Domizio is a familiar figure in the region, having previously worked with The Reporter, the Lansdale Patch, and TAP into North Penn. In his role, he contributes a variety of content while simultaneously offering consulting services through his business, Write Idea Media.
Bruce Schwartz serves as Associate Editor, bringing more than three decades of editorial experience from his years at USA Today and, before that, at the North Penn Reporter. Schwartz also volunteers as a board member and magazine editor for Discover Lansdale and serves on Lansdale’s Economic Development Committee.
Bob Kelly joined North Penn Now as a photographer in the summer of 2019. Coming from a family of award winning photojournalists across southeastern Pennsylvania, Kelly is a frequent presence at events, accident scenes, and ceremonies.
Hannah Nguyen began as an intern in December 2021 while studying journalism at Emerson College. She has since become an award winning journalist and Managing Editor at the Fideri News Network, writing for North Penn Now, Central Bucks Now, and Wissahickon Now.Keith E. Heffintrayer Quick Bio
Notes on verified information: Keith Heffintrayer is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a forward observer in the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech) . He launched North Penn Now in August 2018 and sold it to Access Global Media in January 2024, taking an executive role with the parent company . He also serves as First Friday chairman for Discover Lansdale .
Content and Coverage Focus
North Penn Now’s stated goal is to paint a comprehensive image of day to day life in the North Penn community. The site provides content that proves useful or enlightening to its readership, covering everything from crime, elections, and government to business openings and features on prominent people.
The publication focuses on local and regional news and therefore does not cover national news stories. While the majority of content is original, the site occasionally aggregates from other sources, shares content with colleagues, posts press releases, and publishes content from users and residents.
The site serves the Lansdale, Montgomeryville, North Penn, and Harleysville areas, with a weekly newsletter that covers news, events, restaurants, weather, recreation, and real estate.
Credibility and Bias Rating
Media Bias/Fact Check rates North Penn Now as Right-Center biased based on its story selection and op-eds, which slightly favor the right. The organization rates the site’s factual reporting as High due to consistent sourcing from reputable outlets and the absence of any known IFCN verified failed fact checks.
The site is described as a news and opinion website based in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Media Bias/Fact Check notes that the website reports local news with minimal bias, relying on credible sources of information.
Organizational Structure and Funding
North Penn Now is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization primarily funded through advertising. The site is also part of the Fideri News Network, which consists of 19 news sites in the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore areas.
The Fideri News Network was formed through a merger of Broad + Liberty and Access Network. James McDonald, chairman of the network, has stated that all sites will remain free and will be funded by a mix of advertising and tech enabled sales across local ticketing and real estate. The company has brought on some writers from its acquired publications full time while also relying on contractors.
Community Engagement
Heffintrayer has demonstrated a strong commitment to the North Penn region beyond his editorial duties. He volunteers as the First Friday chairman for Discover Lansdale and has expressed a passion for knowledge, journalism, and the community.
The site actively encourages community involvement through story tips and information submissions. Residents can send information to the publication for coverage consideration. North Penn Now also accepts donations to support its veteran owned, hyperlocal news operation, with funds used primarily to cover freelancers and expand coverage.
Conclusion
North Penn Now represents a modern approach to hyperlocal journalism in southeastern Pennsylvania. From its founding by a U.S. Army veteran in 2018 to its acquisition by Access Global Media in 2024, the publication has maintained its focus on serving the North Penn community with accurate, timely information. With a High factual reporting rating from Media Bias/Fact Check and no failed fact checks to date, North Penn Now has established itself as a credible source for local news, politics, and community events in Montgomery County.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Penn Now
What is North Penn Now?
North Penn Now is a veteran-owned, hyperlocal news service launched in August 2018 that covers the North Penn region of southeastern Pennsylvania . It provides reporting on news, incidents, elections, events, and local happenings for communities in Montgomery County .
Who owns North Penn Now?
North Penn Now was founded by Keith E. Heffintrayer, a U.S. Army veteran. In January 2024, the site was acquired by Access Global Media, and Heffintrayer took an executive role in the parent company . It is now part of the Fideri News Network, which includes 19 news sites across Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore areas .
What kind of content does North Penn Now publish?
The site focuses on local and regional news, covering topics such as crime, elections, government, business openings, and features on community members . It does not cover national news stories . Content includes original reporting alongside aggregated stories, press releases, and submissions from residents .
How credible is North Penn Now?
Media Bias/Fact Check rates North Penn Now as Right-Center biased based on its story selection and op-eds . The organization rates its factual reporting as High due to consistent sourcing from reputable outlets and the absence of any known failed fact checks .
Who leads the editorial team?
Tony Di Domizio serves as Managing Editor for North Penn Now, Central Bucks Now, and Perk Valley Now . He has covered journalism in the region for a combined 25 years, previously working with The Reporter, Lansdale Patch, and TAP into North Penn .
