Opinion

July 19, 2011 — Few would argue that America’s metropolitan newspapers are in trouble, beset by declining circulation and ad revenues and free online competition. But rural and community newspapers, like the six Feather Publishing weeklies in Lassen and Plumas counties, are weathering the storm.

In the United States, some 7,500 community newspapers — papers with under 30,000 in circulation — still hit the streets, front porches and mailboxes at least once a week.

July 12, 2011 — For years now the mantra in City Hall has been there is no money and like cities throughout the state of California, the city officials seem to place the blame squarely on Sacramento.

While the state doesn’t have a clue how to keep the budget under control, the fact is that the city of Susanville also has an obligation to make sure its fees match its services. Sometimes that means charging use fees for parks and recreation.

July 5, 2011 — Lassen County’s Board of Supervisors found itself embroiled in one mighty clucking controversy last week after a local chicken farmer asked the board to help him find a way through a conflicting maze of laws and administrative regulations so he can once again sell his poultry at local farmer’s markets.

June 28, 2011 — Journalists have all heard the words; “I don’t want to see any of this in the newspaper.”

The assumption is the person being interviewed, especially a government official, is in control of “the record.” To be perfectly clear, the record belongs only to journalists. We have every right to put what is said into print especially if it is newsworthy.