John Crane isn’t just another reporter—he’s a storyteller who discovered his calling through an unconventional journey. Growing up in Pittsylvania County, Crane’s early love for newspapers began with baseball box scores and sports pages, a passion that would eventually transform into a career spanning decades.
Unlike many journalists who chart a direct course, Crane’s route was anything but linear. He first graduated from Averett College with a degree in English and theatre arts, spending nearly a decade working unfulfilling jobs. It wasn’t until 2001, while living in Colorado, that he enrolled in journalism studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver—a decision that would reshape his professional identity.
His education in journalism was more than just learning to write. “What surprised me most was having to think, question, and analyze topics in ways beyond what I was used to,” Crane said. This newfound approach challenged him to dig deeper, to look beneath the surface of every story.
Early internships at the Denver Business Journal and a small newspaper in Silverton provided crucial experience. By 2003, he was working at the Cortez Journal, where he delved into a haunting investigation about methamphetamine addiction. “It was my first long story as a professional journalist,” he said. “It included research into meth addiction, which was disturbing,” Crane added. The story earned him a State Press Association award and marked a turning point in his understanding of journalism’s power to illuminate hard truths.
In January 2008, Crane returned to his roots, joining the Danville Register & Bee, where he has since covered local government, business, and crime. “Being a news reporter covering the city of Danville enables me to learn new information, especially regarding how local government works, and provides that information to readers,” he said. Crane’s approach to storytelling remains consistent: pursue stories that are compelling and meaningful to readers.
One particularly memorable piece explored hospice care, where he interviewed families about their experiences. The story was emotionally charged but important, helping to dispel misconceptions about end-of-life care.
Despite his passion, Crane is realistic about the challenges facing journalism. He offered this honest warning. “Given the state of the industry, with bare-bones newsrooms now, shuttering outlets, and declining circulation for so many publications, I would advise against it,” he candidly admitted. Yet, he remains hopeful for aspiring journalists: “If someone loves newsgathering and writing and insists on pursuing it, I say go for it, but they should have a back-up plan.”
“Always assume you’re wrong,” an editor once told him—advice that has guided his approach to reporting. It’s a philosophy of constant questioning, verification, and humility that defines not just good journalism, but good storytelling. “As journalists, we emphasize being skeptical and questioning what we see, hear, and read,” Crane said. “But we also need to question ourselves as reporters while working on stories.”
From a young boy reading baseball scores to an experienced local journalist, John Crane embodies the heart of community reporting—a storyteller committed to uncovering and sharing the truth, one local story at a time.
