To the editor:

Hereabouts in our little towns we are fortunate to have local newspapers featuring unbiased local story reporting, and importantly, editing by responsible journalists.

In an age where people are increasingly relying on unchecked social media for information, now more than ever, we need the straight scoop unadorned by the psychological and emotional shadings of anonymous rumor merchants.

With the incredible shrinking act of many large metropolitan newspapers and the disappearance of their local news bureaus, facts often depend on local publications to reach the eyes of those most directly affected by events and activities in their cities and towns.

Fallout from the explosion of unfounded speculation fueled by Facebook, Instagram, X, and so on lands on town councils, boards, state representatives, coffee houses, and in conversations between friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Which, in turn, poisons critical thinking and deepens our divide.

So, for those reading this — admittedly opinionated and unpaid piece — congratulations, and please take the time to absorb the actual news contained elsewhere in these pages. And do us a favor and encourage those you know to do the same.

We all benefit from knowing the truth.

Frederick Massie
Warren