Results From Call For Community Reporters

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

Just over a month ago, the Sentinel put out a call for community reporters, and we promised to report back with the results. (See the May 7 issue.) This endeavor came about after multiple people asked if we would think about reviving the community news section that had died out 30+ years ago.

No one has expressed interest in becoming a community reporter, so the community news will not be returning. While readers were interested, we lack the relational reporters necessary to revive the section.

These results aren’t surprising, but it was worth a try. People had fond memories of this section, and it offered historical value. We’re sorry to disappoint anyone who hoped to see it return.

In the May 7 article, we wondered if social media has taken the place of the community news section or if people know their neighbors well enough to revive this section. The answers to those questions might be yes and no, respectively, but it could also be that local newspapers don’t hold the place that they once did in communities.

It’s also likely that we all have enough filling our time and requiring our energy. The task of collecting community news, however enjoyable it might be, isn’t something people have room for on their to-do lists.

Regardless of the results, this was a fun project to look into, and we’re grateful for those who shared their fond memories of the section.