Local stories, local communities; your newspaper

At the very heart of who we are and what we do are the communities we serve. From Sandpoint to Clark Fork, from Priest River to Oldtown, local news is at the heart of it all.

We chronicle stories of local athletes hitting their first home run or the City Council making decisions that affect your pocketbook. We share news of couples celebrating milestone anniversaries or embarking on their lives together. First birthdays. Weddings. Golden anniversaries. The Bonner County Fair. Local businesses opening their doors to customers for the first time.

We inform. We share. We connect.

I like to tell people I tell stories and take pictures for a living — that we connect our readers to the news they need to know and want to know; that we connect them to what’s going on in our beautiful and very special part of the world; and that we connect them to each other.

Local journalism plays several key roles.

We inform. We work hard to offer accurate and trustworthy stories on everything from local government and schools to community events and celebrations. Information is power — and the stories we write help you stay on top of what is happening and make informed decisions.

We hold public officials and leaders accountable. Our reporters attend local meetings and events, covering what those in power are doing and asking questions. Decisions and policies are covered to ensure openness and transparency — helping residents be an active part of their government.

One of my journalism professors once told me newspapers are the first draft of history. Maybe because I love history and pursued it as an area of emphasis at the University of Washington (the equivalent of a minor), that comment has stayed with me.

From births to celebrations to milestone events, history — from the deeply personal to the largest stage — is recorded in our pages.

Today, April 9, the Daily Bee and our sister newspapers throughout North Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana are celebrating Local News Day. While it is a day of celebration, as Clint Schroeder, president and executive publisher of Hagadone Media Group, has said, it is also a moment to reflect and act. It is an opportunity to recognize not only what local journalism does, but why it is so vital to the health and future of our communities.

In a recent letter to the community, Clint wrote: “Every day, our team works in this community to support that mission: attending public meetings, reporting on issues affecting your daily life, and telling the stories of the people, businesses and organizations shaping this region — capturing moments that will define how this community is remembered in the future.”

Come by and visit us or call and ask questions. Tell us what you want to see covered by our reporters. Help us tell your stories.

In short: This is your newspaper as much as it is ours. Thank you for entrusting us with your stories and for supporting local journalism.

CAROLINE LOBSINGER

Bonner County Daily Bee

Managing Editor

For additional information about supporting local journalism, visit inlandnorthwestjournalism.org