Hero local editor-publisher enters hospice - 48 hills

"It takes an incredible amount of guts, drive, and fortitude to run a neighborhood newspaper in this day and age, let alone two. So when it was announced over the weekend that Michael Durand- editor and publisher of both the 38-year-old Richmond Review and the 35-year-old Sunset Beacon had been diagnosed with aggressive cancer and was entering hospice care to transition at his home, it came as a shock to media-watchers across the city."

"Despite his illness, the papers have still put out on time, covering a broad swath of the city with depth and heart. As recently as last month, he worked with a coalition of local, independent outlets like 48 Hills to present a packed San Francisco congressional candidate forum, at which the hopefuls were asked questions from the point of view of neighborhood and community publications, who are much more in touch with the city's everyday concerns than the big corporate chains."

"That's the other thing it takes to run a neighborhood paper: love. At least to me-and I count him high among the people I have looked up to in this biz-Michael has not at all fit the stereotypical image of a hard-driving, profanity-spewing publisher, just one three-martini lunch from a fall from grace. Instead, he's been more like a gentle giant/real sweet guy, a talented musician, photographer, and mentor who's always greeted me with a hug, often excitedly telling me about a young local journalist whose work has been blowing him away."

"Spending his early life as a photographer and event producer who traveled the world, Michael, 70, took over both newspapers from founder and west side legend Paul Kozakiewicz in 2019, after working for him as a writer, photographer, and editor-right in the continuing digit"

Michael Durand, editor and publisher of the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon, was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and entered hospice care. A GoFundMe was created to support him and his family and friends. Despite his illness, both newspapers continued publishing on time, covering the city with depth and heart. He previously worked with local independent outlets to host a congressional candidate forum that centered questions from neighborhood and community publications. His approach emphasized giving local voices a platform. Running neighborhood papers required love, and he was described as a gentle, supportive mentor with talents in music and photography, known for encouraging young journalists. He took over both papers in 2019 after years working under the founder.

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