One piece of feedback that Krysta Unsworth, our area sales rep, and I frequently receive is how much people would like to see the community interest columns in the newspaper again.
The only remaining column of this nature that is published regularly in either the Stettler Independent or the Castor Advance is the Byemoor-Endiang news; communities such as Halkirk, Erskine, Botha, Alliance, and even Stettler and Castor haven’t had their community news columns announcing births, passings, relatives visiting, or family celebrations in ages.
After a discussion with our area publisher, these community news sections are something we all would like to see make a return to all these communities, we just need people to write them.
If any community-minded and community-connected individuals with an interest in gathering information from the members of their community and writing it up each week would like to take on a new column for your community, I would like to hear from you.
As an editor and journalist for three communities — Castor, Stettler, and Bashaw — the area I cover is significant.
I can’t be everywhere, nor am I aware of what is happening in the different communities unless people let me know.
On the plus side, I do have some assistance, in the form of Carson Ellis, our Castor, Stettler, Bashaw freelance journalist, who has been a great help to me over the last year.
Again, if I don’t know about things, the opportunity is lost for either myself or Carson to attend and report on them.
Re-establishing these community columns for the smaller communities in our readership area would go a long way to letting me know where we need to be.
Additionally, if we are unable to cover an area event or municipal meeting in person, I will always, happily, accept submitted photos and write-ups for inclusion in the Stettler, Castor or Bashaw papers.
All three of these publications are community newspapers, and local content needs to come first and foremost, but I can only do so much as one person.
Local journalism is important and actively engaging with it will help ensure it continues to flourish in our communities. I am looking forward to hearing from the budding columnists out there!
If anyone has any concerns, wants more information about the community columns, or wants to submit a news tip, please reach out.
I can be reached by email at kevin.sabo@blackpress.ca or by phone at 403-741-9921.