This week is the 74th year of National Newspaper Week. There won’t be any ticker tape parades or crowds welcoming home heroes, but you will see content in this newspaper observing the importance of newspapers to their respective communities.
This newspaper traces its roots to May 4, 1883 when the first edition rolled off the press on a Friday evening. A lot has changed in 131 years, but this newspaper continues to deliver news that matters to this community.
News happens in a blink of an eye and can be delivered instantaneously via the Internet. The U.S. Census Bureau in 2012 found that 74.8 percent of U.S. households had access to the World Wide Web. That number is sure to grow with the proliferation of smartphones.
When asked to speak to a civic club or other organizations I emphasize the importance of this newspaper to our community. Where else can you read about what happened at the Vicksburg Warren School District board meeting or that the City of Vicksburg finished fiscal 2014 with a $1.14 million surplus? Where can you read about little Suzy Q. making the honor roll at Vicksburg Intermediate or who the next great scholar from our community is? See Monday’s paper for that last item.
Smartphones have changed the world and continue to do so, but the need for a local printed newspaper will always exist. Grandma is not going to tape her smartphone to the fridge with a photo of Tommy scoring the winning touchdown for Warren Central.
For most Americans, especially those living in bigger cities, there are only two times their names will appear in the newspaper and that is when they are born and in the obituary column. That doesn’t hold true for members of smaller communities with a local newspaper.
Community newspapers allow us to bring you the news of what is happening down the street. That is news that you cannot get anywhere else. Documenting history as it happens is a great honor and one that we do not take lightly at The Post.
For 131 years we have brought you the news that matters but we could not do that without the cooperation of so many people. Partners in the community make it easier for us to gather, check and report the things that shape our todays and tomorrows. Thank you for all you do and for supporting your Vicksburg Post.
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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.