By Nicole Orozco
There’s something poetic about new beginnings arriving at the turn of a new year. As we step into 2026, I find myself reflecting on the journey that brought us here—and feeling genuinely excited about where Mill Creek View is headed next. I’m thrilled to announce that Corey Ihler has taken ownership of this beloved community newspaper. And I have to tell you, watching him step into this role feels exactly right.
Honoring the Man Who Started It All
To understand why this paper matters so much, you have to know about Fred Fillbrook. Fred founded Mill Creek View in January 1991. Think about that for a moment. He saw something special in this community, and he dedicated 31 years of his life to telling its story. Fred wasn’t just a publisher. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and that spirit of service defined everything he did. He co-founded the Mill Creek Veterans Day Parade and helped establish the Veterans Monument. He showed up for this community in every way imaginable. And if you ever had the pleasure of hearing him sing karaoke, you knew you were in the presence of someone who truly loved life. When Fred passed away in February 2022, we didn’t just lose a publisher. We lost a pioneer, a patriot, and a man who believed with his whole heart that a small-town newspaper is the glue that holds a community together. That belief lives on in these pages.
The Hands That Kept It Going
After Fred’s passing, Steve Abramowicz stepped in during a critical time, making sure Mill Creek View didn’t lose its footing. I then had the honor of taking the reins, working alongside our incredible team to grow the paper and carry forward what Fred built. Now, as I shift my focus to my book publishing work, I’m passing the torch to Corey—though I’m not disappearing. Some things are too close to your heart to walk away from completely. I’ll continue supporting Mill Creek View as we move into this new chapter together.
Why Corey Is Exactly Who We Need
Here’s what I love about Corey Ihler: he’s not an outsider coming in with big ideas about how to change things. He’s lived in the areas that surround Mill Creek his entire life and sees everyone as his neighbor. He has a business degree and years of experience as a real estate professional, so he understands how to run things—but more importantly, he understands this community because he’s part of it. What strikes me most about Corey is his passion for bringing people together. It reminds me so much of Fred. Since taking over, Corey has joined the Mill Creek Chamber of Commerce and has been showing up at local events, shaking hands, listening, learning. He’s not interested in sitting behind a desk. He wants to be out in the community, hearing what matters to you. Corey believes—just like Fred did—that a community newspaper is more than news and advertisements. It’s the thread that connects us. It’s how we celebrate each other’s wins, support each other through challenges, and remember that we’re all neighbors here.
Your Voice Matters
One thing Corey is passionate about: hearing from you. The January edition will be dedicated to your feedback. What do you love about Mill Creek View? What columns do you look forward to? What’s missing? What stories should we be telling? This paper belongs to the community, and Corey wants to make sure it reflects what you actually care about. And here’s something special that hasn’t changed: children and their parents still deliver this paper directly to your door. We believe we’re the only community paper still doing this the old-fashioned way—kids learning responsibility, families working together, neighbors serving neighbors. That small-town magic is worth protecting.
Be Part of What We’re Building
We’re currently reaching 6,000 homes each month, and the dream is to reach every household in Mill Creek and beyond. A recent local benefactor helped us expand to 8,000 papers for one issue—proof of what’s possible when community members invest in their hometown paper. If you want to be part of this, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for paper carriers, writers who want to share local stories, students eager for real-world experience, an advertising specialist to help sustain what we do, and philanthropic
partners who believe in the power of local journalism.
Here’s to What’s Next
Fred Fillbrook created something extraordinary. Steve kept the flame alive during a difficult transition. I’ve been honored to help carry it forward. And now Corey Ihler is ready to build something even bigger—a paper that reaches every home, tells the stories that matter, and keeps our community connected. The same passion that drove Fred to start this paper in 1991 is alive and well in Corey. With the combination of Corey’s new role and your community support, Mill Creek View is in good hands. Get ready to share your voice with us in January. From our Mill Creek View family to yours—here’s to new beginnings and a beautiful 2026.
Reach us at millcreekviewus@gmail.com
