Thanksgiving has passed, but our gratitude to you, our readers, continues year round.
We at BG Independent News remain firmly committed to not putting up a paywall. We believe people should be able to read about what’s happening in their community regardless of their ability to pay for that information.
Those of us who are more “seasoned” at BG Indy began our journalism careers at newspapers that had literal and figurative walls separating the newsrooms from the money making departments of the business. It was drilled into us that the reporting should not be influenced by those businesses, politicians, organizations that advertised in the paper.
We still believe that, and still operate under that standard. However, because of our small staff, we on the reporting end occasionally have to ask our readers for help if they are able.
We know times are tough for many in our community. Many of us have neighbors struggling to put food on their tables, heat their homes, and put presents under their trees. This missive is not meant for those of you hurting right now.
This is intended for those in our community who appreciate local journalism, and can spare some funds to help us continue our work. Our goal is to continue to share what’s going on in your community, with stories like those posted in the past month on:
- City budgets, utilities, zoning and historic preservation. We will let you know if your utility bills will go up, where the next roundabout will be constructed, and what is being built at East Wooster and Dunbridge roads (a Quik Trip, for those of you who missed that story.)
- New businesses, so you can get sweaty at the hot pilates studio, play a round at the golf simulator business, and attend a concert at the newly renovated Clazel.
- School district news on how kids scored on state report cards, how the new high school construction is progressing, plus 1BookBG, fifth grade camp, sports, FFA, music and theater accomplishments.
- What’s new at BGSU, including national recognitions, state funding changes, and of course the Pudge the cat phenomenon.
- Local people recognized for their remarkable achievements – like the recipients of the Spirit of Wood County Awards, and the heroes who received Black Swamp Humanitarian Awards.
- Community events like the annual Holiday Parade, the Trans Day of Remembrance gathering, and the upcoming Cookie Bake Off at the library.
- Arts options in BG and beyond, including the “Nutcracker All Jazzed Up,” Black Swamp Players theater productions, musical performances and art exhibits.
- A look at how national policies are affecting local residents and agencies, such as the halt to SNAP benefits, the increases in health insurance costs, and the tariffs costing local businesses and their customers (that story will be posted soon.)
- Free obituaries, free “community voice” items from local organizations, and our “Feed the Need” project to make sure local residents know where they can go for help with food and the holidays – and to make sure those residents who are able to help can find a way to do so.
For 10 years, we have been doing this all on a barebones budget. Our biggest expense by far is paying our writers. Other than that, our monthly bills include paying for our server, post office box, stamps and postcards. We are accustomed to operating on a shoestring budget, and we’re comfortable with that. But we worry when the shoestring gets a little thin.
For anyone interested and able to support local journalism at BG Independent News, go to bgindependentmedia.org/support/, or consider these options:
1. Mail a check to P.O. Box 245, Bowling Green, OH 43402.
2. Make a one-time donation through PayPal (on support page).
3. Set up a monthly contribution through PayPal (buttons on support page).
4. Set up an automatic monthly payment through your bank.
5. Advertise your event or business, or become an annual sponsor. Email elizabeth.lrz@gmail.com or see www.bgindependentmedia.org/advertise.
With gratitude,
BG Independent News Team
