Frank Washabaugh

Editor & Investigative Reporter

Frank is the founder, lead investigative reporter, and technical architect behind Sherman CT News. As a full stack developer, cyber security expert, and local taxpayer, he grew frustrated by the echo chamber of traditional municipal reporting and built this platform from the ground up to serve as an uncompromising watchdog for the Sherman community.

Frank’s analytical edge was forged during the dot-com bubble, where he was recruited by a software company straight out of high school before pursuing a degree in computer science. Over his 26-year enterprise career, he protected the digital assets and infrastructure of global clients. Concurrently, a lifelong dedication to music brought him to New York City as a recording artist, where his tech expertise funded and expanded his creative ventures into professional photography and cinematography.

Today, he brings this rare synthesis of hard data and creative storytelling home to Sherman. His deep foundation in the hard sciences allows him to dissect complex municipal budgets, navigate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation, and expose bureaucratic overreach with forensic precision. Meanwhile, his legally registered aerial drone operations and visual journalism force the town administration to confront the physical reality of their decisions.

News, public relations, and community advocacy have always been lifelong staples for him, culminating in the creation of Sherman CT News. His investigative philosophy remains simple:

"Receipts over rhetoric."

When he isn't tracking down orphaned construction logs for a $50 million mega-bond or exposing millions in hidden town surpluses, Frank continues to take on select programming and photography projects, and plays music to stay deeply connected to the community. Whether he is flying a drone to document municipal decay or writing the custom code that powers this very platform, Frank ensures the truth remains fast, free, and accessible to every neighbor in town.

Have a tip, a public document, or a story the administration is hiding? Contact Frank confidentially at frank@shermanct.com

Latest from Frank Washabaugh

Obfuscate, Spend, and Stonewall: administration's desperate, illegal scramble to hide the public ledgers

Saturday, April 18, 2026

With an $18 million budget referendum looming, the Sherman administration is actively stonewalling state FOIA requests to conceal the reality of a $50 million debt bomb. Inside the $1.16 million fiscal shell game, disappearing cyber-insurance, and a decade-long executive salary surge.

Vigilante Retakes the Flag

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Town Hall's makeshift lighting fails the ultimate inspection as the resident "Vigilante" returns to Veterans Field to strip the pole bare before dusk.

The 7% Selectman: What Sherman’s Glossy Budget Mailer Didn't Tell You

Saturday, April 11, 2026

A forensic look at the town ledgers reveals hidden executive raises, phantom funds masking explosive debt, and a $1.16 million illusion designed to kick Sherman’s financial reckoning down the road.

Second Act Economy

Monday, April 6, 2026

Sherman presents as the quintessential retirement enclave, but raw census data shatters that assumption. Welcome to the "Second Act Economy," where traditional retirement has been quietly canceled.

Weekend Update: Vigilante Inspects the Town's Handiwork

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Following our recent report on the U.S. Flag Code standoff at Veterans Field, the town hastily deployed extension cords and a stake light. This morning, the Vigilante arrived to inspect the compliance.

The Hubris of "Comfort"

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Sherman's leadership publicly rejects cyber insurance despite managing tens of millions in public funds. Why this "comfortable" decision is an open invitation to disaster.

The Six-Letter Crucible: Why Sherman’s New Daily Puzzle Will Break Your Brain

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Five-letter word games are too easy, so we built something with teeth. Meet ROGERD: a relentless six-letter daily puzzle featuring a semantic clue, an unforgiving live timer, and a strict point system. Here is your official field guide to beating the clock.

The Daily Dispatch: Introducing ROGERD

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Think you know the secrets of this town? We’ve buried a new six-letter puzzle in the ledger. Decode the daily local clue, beat the clock, and secure your rank on the public leaderboard. Your mission begins now.