As National Newspaper Week arrives once again, it’s worth pausing to consider what local journalism means to our community here in Goshen County.
The recent near-closure of the Telegram served as a wake-up call for many of us. For a brief and terrifying moment, we faced the prospect of losing our community’s voice and record-keeper. The fact we’re still here – still publishing and still serving – is thanks to neighbors who understood what was at stake. But survival is only the first step. Thriving requires continued commitment from all of us.
In an era when information streams at us from countless screens and sources, it’s easy to overlook the essential role our local newspaper plays in daily life. But strip away the noise of national headlines and social media chatter and you’ll find something irreplaceable: the dedicated reporting on school board decisions, county commission meetings and local business openings. These are the stories shaping our lives far more directly than any trending topic ever will.
Our newspaper serves as the official record keeper of Goshen County life. When a family celebrates a 50th anniversary or a student earns a scholarship, the newspaper is there. When controversy erupts over zoning changes or budget allocations, reporters sit through hours of meetings to bring residents the facts. The editors and reporters covering these stories aren’t outsiders parachuting in for a quick story. They live here. They work here. They raise families here. Their children attend our schools. They shop at our local businesses. They have a personal stake in getting the story right because they’re part of this community.
Think about the last time you needed to find out when the county fair starts or where to vote in the upcoming election. Chances are you turned to the local newspaper. These practical details form the fabric of community life and someone needs to gather and share them reliably. Our newspaper fills this role day after day and year after year.
Local journalism holds power accountable in ways no outside source can match. State and national media won’t cover the intricacies of our water district policies or investigate why road repairs on County Road 12 keep getting delayed. They won’t ask hard questions about property tax increases or follow up on promises made by local officials. They certainly won’t sit through three-hour commissioners’ meetings on a Tuesday afternoon or school board meetings on Tuesday evenings. Only journalists embedded in this community possess both the knowledge and the commitment to ask tough questions on behalf of their neighbors. They know the history. They understand the context. They recognize when something doesn’t add up.
Consider what we’d lose without local news coverage. How would residents learn about upcoming elections for positions like county treasurer or coroner? Who would report on the school district’s financial challenges or the hospital’s expansion plans? Where would local businesses turn to announce job openings or community events? Who would cover Friday night football games or publish the legal notices required by law to inform citizens of public hearings and government actions? Who would hold our elected officials accountable between election cycles? The answers to these questions reveal just how deeply woven the newspaper is into the civic infrastructure of Goshen County.
The newspaper also serves as our community bulletin board and town square rolled into one. It connects us through shared stories of triumph and hardship. When disaster strikes – whether it’s a devastating fire or a harsh winter storm – the newspaper documents how our community responds and recovers. When we have reasons to celebrate – a championship won by our high school athletes or a local veteran honored for service – those moments are preserved for future generations. The local paper gives us a common narrative and shared experience in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Beyond news reporting, our newspaper provides a platform for community voices through letters to the editor and guest columns. Where else can residents engage in substantive public debate about local issues? We’ve all seen how word of mouth travels in Goshen County – but we’ve also seen its limits. Important information about zoning changes, road closures or new ordinances often reaches only a small circle while others directly affected remain in the dark until it’s too late to weigh in. The newspaper ensures everyone has equal access to information about decisions shaping our community. Social media offers quick reactions but rarely fosters the thoughtful discourse necessary for democratic participation. The newspaper’s opinion pages create space for reasoned arguments and diverse perspectives.
Critics sometimes dismiss newspapers as relics of a bygone era. Yet the need for reliable and locally focused information has never been greater. While technology has changed how news is delivered – through websites and digital subscriptions alongside traditional print – the core mission remains unchanged: serving the community with accurate and timely information about the issues affecting daily life. In fact, the digital age has made the newspaper’s gatekeeping function more valuable than ever. In a world drowning in misinformation, having a trusted local source with professional standards and editorial oversight is crucial. During National Newspaper Week, newspapers across America are reminding their communities of this essential truth: local journalism is more than ink and paper. It’s public service. It’s a shared commitment to truth, trust and transparency.
The economic reality facing many newspapers cannot be ignored. Across the country, local newsrooms have shrunk or disappeared entirely. Studies show communities without local newspapers see decreased civic participation and increased government spending and corruption. We cannot take our newspaper for granted. Its survival depends on community support. Every subscription matters. Every subscription means more reporters on the ground, stronger coverage of local issues and deeper community connections. When you subscribe, your dollars stay in Wyoming – reinvested in our towns, our businesses and our shared future.
The Telegram’s new owners aren’t distant corporations or investment firms. They’re our neighbors with a mission to restore trust, grow coverage and ensure Wyoming voices are heard. This is local journalism run by people who understand what’s at stake because they’re living it alongside us.
During National Newspaper Week, I encourage every Goshen County resident to reflect on the value our local newspaper provides. Subscribe if you don’t already. Read beyond the headlines. Engage with the stories about your community. Support the local businesses advertising in its pages. Share articles with friends and neighbors. Contribute your own letters and story ideas. Understand your subscription is more than access to news – it’s a vote for accountability, connection and the stories making our communities stronger.
A healthy democracy depends on an informed citizenry. In Goshen County, our newspaper is the foundation upon which informed civic participation is built. It connects us to our government, to each other and to the place we call home. Let’s recognize and celebrate this vital institution not just this week but every day of the year. Our community is stronger when our local newspaper is strong. Let’s keep it going together.
