Jason Futch is completing his first week at the North Bend Eagle. He recently moved to North Bend from Florida.
Futch joins Eagle staff
Published 4/8/26
NORTH BEND – Jason Futch is the newest addition to the North Bend Eagle team, bringing fresh ideas to the newsroom.
He moved to North Bend a little over two weeks ago and began his job at the Eagle April 1.
Futch, a native of Lake City, Fla., comes to the Eagle following a career at Riverbend News in Live Oak, Florida. During his time at Riverbend News, Futch covered breaking news, community stories and government reporting. Of note, his writing credentials include the near-dissolution of the White Springs, Fla, town charter; the shooting of a Suwannee County Deputy during a manhunt for a murder suspect; and detailed coverage of a fraud suspect who was convicted of stealing over $450,000 in a metal buildings fraud scheme.
Prior to his career in journalism, Futch enjoyed a career in commercial driving, first driving for Greyhound Lines, leading him to the Pacific Northwest. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to Florida and switched from motor coaches to semi-trucks, driving for Knight Transportation and Clint Dicks Trucking. Futch medically retired from driving commercially in 2024. It was then that he was offered a job with Riverbend News when his friend, Riverbend News editor Danny Federico, asked him about applying for the reporter position.
“I never really considered myself to be a writer,” Futch said, “but I applied for the position, and ever since then, I’ve enjoyed writing and sharing the stories that shape our community.”
Since working in the field, Futch has been praised for his style of journalism, leading him to be a finalist in seven award categories at the Florida Press Association’s annual meeting this year in Orlando, which will be held in June.
While Futch calls his career as a reporter a “happy accident,” he credits his wife, Heidi Snipes, with locating the Eagle job opening.
“She found the opening on Indeed.com and applied for the job,” Futch said. “I never thought that my career move would send me to Nebraska, but here we are.”
Futch and Snipes visited North Bend in January to learn more about the history and culture of the community. They were hosted by Steve and Mary Le Arneal. By the end of the trip, Futch agreed to work for the Eagle and relocate to North Bend.
“I really enjoyed visiting North Bend,” Futch said, “and I believe it would be a great place to raise my children and further my career in the newspaper industry. I appreciate the opportunity Nathan Arneal is offering me and look forward to the new friends we will make here.”
While the scenery may change for Futch, he said he will bring the same quality of news reporting to the area. He is most excited for the opportunity to share uplifting stories and news that matters most to the community.
Aside from reporting, Futch also started the non-profit organization Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc., which helped local families heal from the tragedy of an unsolved homicide or missing persons investigation. Through the organization, Futch was certified as a victim services practitioner through the State of Florida, and credits the organization with assisting in the resolution of a few cases. He is also an honorary member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association.
Futch and Snipes bring along a son, River, who is 2-years-old. Daughter Renna, 9, will spend summers in Nebraska. They look forward to rooting in Nebraska and hope to meet new friends along the way as they become involved in the community.
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