My husband and I subscribe to digital versions of a couple of national newspapers, including our closest major metropolitan daily.

However, the one we faithfully pull out of the newspaper tube next to our mailbox is our twice weekly local newspaper. This one may be the most important.

What did our city council consider in its last meeting about the proposed zoning plans for the city?

How long will one of the ferries serving our island be removed before another replaces it?

What’s going on at the arts center?

We scan the local police report, too.

Oh, yes—there’s the picture of our local high school graduates. Also, a story on the end of the sports year at the school. Announcements of scholarships and what the two student speakers at the commencement will be talking about.

Let’s see, here’s an article about the elementary school students harvesting vegetables from their garden.

We check the events calendar—everything from a library book sale to a meeting for children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families.

Of course, we must read the letters from readers—this is where our neighbors endorse candidates, weigh in on government proposals, and make their opinions known.

All newspapers face challenges today. One of our civic duties is to keep them as strong as possible.

Support is especially vital for our local papers. Regular reporting on local governments and the issues which affect our lives, more than anything else, favors a strong democracy.