Keeping the local newspaper going for another 150 years

For nearly 150 years, this newspaper and others like it have done their best to serve the needs of their community.

During my time here, I have worked hard to create a community-style newspaper. It is never easy to work through the challenges that community newspapers face. But I have had a blast serving this community. Much to the chagrin of some, my goal has always been to develop a drama-free newspaper that builds up community rather than tear it down.

In my time here, I believe we have had some great staff/ contributors. All bringing their unique flavor and grit. It has not been easy for any of us to work through the unique challenges that the community newspaper is facing. All of us in the business work in community journalism because, in some way, it’s a calling and most definitely a passion.

Through COVID-19, to keep a hometown newspaper in Cass County, we made the tough decision to combine two of the oldest businesses in Cass County into one newspaper. We also made a choice to keep our print version going when other newspapers in the area changed their business model to focus on digital vs print. We hung in there and continued with a printed paper (along with our digital options) because we believe in the power and strength of a printed newspaper.

I do realize the value of a digital option. I believe it is important to expand the audience. The truth is that all forms of media have their strengths and weaknesses. The weakness of the weekly newspaper is the expediency of publishing breaking news. However, the strength is that we can allow the story to simmer and then flush out the truth from fiction and deliver a complete and accurate story. Also, putting the story in print puts some skin in the game. We do not hide behind a screen. People can call me personally and question the veracity of the article. If we are wrong, we can issue a retraction. This helps keep us as one of the most trusted forms of media.

Moreover, having dedicated journalists on staff in a printed format challenges us to build and maintain community and governmental relationships. It also challenges us to get things right and dig a little deeper to find the meat of the story. Also, a printed record is a historical record that will usually outlast the internet or social media. Remember Myspace?

In the last couple of years, there have been a couple of internet newspapers pop up for our community, and even social media apps like Next Door have served a need. Honestly, I am all in for more community news out there. I guess my only wish is for us to work together. We have already done this with Travis Ransom, who publishes a fabulous newsletter. We have also teamed up with the Atlanta Chamber, city managers, the Cass County Genealogy Society, and other organizations, giving them opportunities to share their stories and information.

We reglarly enjoy and encourage local participation of articles and pictures. If you have something to share please send it in.

We understand that competing forms of media will and are trying to blaze their own trail. However, it should be noted it is just one more business vying to replace the limited advertising budget that our local businesses are already sacrificing to meet.

Those dollars are not only going to local media outlets like ours but are also being distributed among school fundraisers and current social media costs, along with other forms of TV and radio.

It also should be noted that when more media outlets come into the marketplace, it does not help improve our product but makes it that much harder to keep the necessary staff to cover every event possible. We, like every business, must adjust our income and expenses. When the newspaper prospers, we can hire new people to be at all the necessary government meetings and local events around the community. When that income isn’t there, something is adjusted or changed.

Speaking of local media outlets, we want to congratulate the Davenports and Smiths for fighting to keep KALT on the air. The station has a long history of serving this community. They are good people involved in the community. We are rooting for their success.

In conclusion, we want to thank everyone who has a subscription or has placed an ad in our paper or special section. With your help, we can keep this newspaper going for another 150 years.