Butler Dispatch

Butler Dispatch is a large news media outlet in Western Pennsylvania. Based in Butler County, Pennsylvania - Butler Dispatch went through several name changes but is now one of the largest online news outlets in the region.

History

Founded in 2014, Butler Dispatch started originally as the Facebook page of the "Butler County, PA 911 Notifications". The Facebook page grew largely within the first few months. Within the first year, the page became the largest Facebook page in Butler County, PA.

Shortly at the end of 2016, the "Butler County, PA 911 Notifications" page merged into "Butler Social". Butler Social lasted for a few months until a 2nd name change occurred to become "Butler County News". After several local discrepancies from several smaller news outlets, the decision to form the company as "Butler Dispatch" was agreed upon.

Assets

Butler Dispatch operates on their website, 2 of their Facebook pages, along with a Twitter account and Instagram account.

Additional Organizations

Butler Dispatch also owns the Pennsylvania Weather Authority, an online forecasting website. In addition, the Butler County Weather Authority is also owned by Butler Dispatch.

Featured Sources

Butler Dispatch was featured and trending on Google News during the 2017 Solar Eclipse. featured on 1812Blockhouse in August of 2017. In the announcement of the 2024 solar eclipse, WDAD Radio of Indiana, PA featured Butler Dispatch.

Controversies

Since it's founding in 2014, Butler Dispatch and it's founder Austin Ayers have been involved in numerous controversies and scandals that have since called into question it's legitimacy as a news outlet.

Fake Tornado Drill
In June 2015, while the page was being called "Butler County PA 911 Notifications", Ayers posted a fake warning AbOUT a tornado as a way to conduct a drill. After causing confusion and complaints to be filed with the National Weather Service and Butler County emergency officials, Ayers removed the post.

Fake "likes"
In October 2017, claims were made that the majority of Butler Dispatch's 100,000+ "likes" on their Facebook page appear to be fake.

Fake Editors
In November 2017, it was exposed that the pictures and names that Butler Dispatch is using for the majority of their staff appear to be fake.