“I read the local newspaper to keep in touch with what’s going on in the community because newspapers are a good resource for that. And it doesn’t pay to read the New York Times because I don’t care what’s happening in New York.
“(The best thing about newspapers is) the ability to work together to communicate what needs to be communicated and that we help each other. It’s very important for us to have that open relationship because we do help each other.
“(A world without newspapers) would be probably a whole lot of different communities that wouldn’t know what else is going on out there. Each would be living in a bubble.
“I always look at the newspaper to see what’s happening and to see what we need to prepare for and things we need to support, and speak up for and against, to try to get the whole story. One newspaper may have it one way, one the other so it keeps me on top of things.
“My favorite sections of the newspaper are headlines and local, local stuff where good things are happening to good people. In light of things that go on in the world, good news is nice to see once in awhile.
“I read a mix (of online and paper). It depends on where I’m at. It’s nice to put my phone down to read a paper; sometimes we all need to slow down and be patient and take some time to actually read. Everything is so audio based. We’re losing the art of being able to read and write. I like technology and hate it at the same time.
~ St. Joseph Police Chief Joel Klein
“I really enjoy reading the Newsleader because it makes me aware of people in our local community who are doing good and interesting things.” ~ Jerry Wetterling, St. Joseph resident and owner of St. Joseph Family Chiropractic
“I like reading the St. Joseph Newsleader because there is so much bad news that is reported and I like to read all of the good news about local people and how they are serving others.
“(My) favorite sections are the police blotters and the classifieds.” ~ St. Joseph Post Office Staff
“Well, I’m one of those old souls who has been reading the (print) newspaper since I was quite young.
I still do and it probably makes me a minority. I recall delivering papers as a young boy.
“In this community, the local paper begins community discourse, by allowing everyone to understand and read about the most recent information from around the area. Curious minds like to know what is happening in their community.
“As I grow older, I think reading helps with emotional and mental stimulation; it helps my brain and body.
“For many years as an avid athlete, I turned exclusively to the sports section. I wanted to know how my favorite teams and players performed the prior day.
“Today, I enjoy the blotter, reading about the days, or weeks list of crime and unusual activity in the area.
“Our support of news organizations gives them the ability to report on stories they find relevant. Even where there may be no physical newspaper distribution, it will still matter that the paper is worth reading.”
~ St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz
“I read my local newspaper because it has stories about people and events taking place in our local community that I cannot find elsewhere. As I turn the pages, I like the serendipity of discovering things I was not looking for, but that I find interesting and valuable. I especially like that newspapers are devoted to gathering timely, accurate, interesting information in one place.” ~ Pia Lopez, Minnesota Street Market
“(I read a local newspaper because ) I like learning about local people and happenings. It really helps to build a sense of community.” Sister Karen Rose, OSB
“I love the newspaper! My dad still lives in St. Joseph and saves the copies of the Newsleader for when he visits me. I can keep up on hometown news that doesn’t get reported in bigger news publications. I love to see what’s happening in my elementary school, what the latest kerfuffle is in the police blotter, what big events and changes are going on around town, and which traditions continue. I even like to check out the ads to see which businesses are still going strong and which are new to town. I love that the Newsleader is just long enough for me to read over breakfast and linger a little longer. If it was a bigger newspaper, I could only get through a section, but being able to read all of it means I can catch up on my four or five issues from my dad’s latest visit that much quicker. Sure, I could read it online, but I love the feel of the paper folded out in my table or across my lap. It’s nice to have something tangible to hold.
“Thanks, Newsleader, for keeping me up to date with the local news!” ~ Danielle Kelm, former St. Joseph resident
“One of the things I love best about newspapers is that it brings back memories from my childhood at my grandparents’ home. They would read the paper each morning over breakfast and give me the cartoon section. I felt so special to be included in what seemed like a tradition for grown ups. The smell and feel of newspapers brings me back to those special memories.
“Our communities would be less informed, less connected (if we didn’t have newspapers).
“Newspapers provide information for me each day. I like reading local and national news though still have a fondness for the comics section.”
~ Laurie Putnam, Kennedy Community School Principal
“Nearly 30 years ago, I had the opportunity as a young whipper-snapper straight out of journalism school to develop and build a community newspaper for St. Joseph. I was scared stiff and had no business acumen whatsoever, but with hard work, blood, sweat and tears and a lot of passion for the written word and to tell people’s stories, the St. Joseph Newsleader was born. Five years later, I added the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader. As a free-distribution newspaper that’s delivered to every address in each of our communities, we would not be here without the generous support of our advertisers and the loyal readers who patronize those businesses. I also commend my awesome staff who has stuck with me through thick and thin. It’s been my pleasure to see the Newsleaders grow throughout the past 30 years; I hope to see them flourish even more in the next 30 years.”
~ Janelle Von Pinnon, publisher
Eric Brutger
St. Joseph Police Officer
“Just to keep up to date with what’s going on in town. I’m the midnight car so I don’t get to talk to many people.”
Andy Rose
St. Joseph
“To keep up on current events in the city and what’s happening here.”
Dina Nelson
St. Cloud
“I’m pretty involved in politics and I like to stay informed.”
Lita Lawler
St. Joseph
“I read the newspapers because I want to stay informed. I am interested in worldwide and local events and politics, local entertainment and things happening in the area. I read the Newsleaders and enjoy Denny Dalman’s editorials and to see what’s happening in the area. I like the Bo Diddley’s coupons. If you read the newspaper daily you gain knowledge on a variety of subjects.”
Laura Precourt
St. Joseph
“I really enjoy the newspaper because it isn’t a source of technology so because of that the news is held to a higher standard and it’s typically more accurate.”
Maria Burnham
St. Cloud
“It comes to me every day and it’s like this little non-digital moment to learn what’s happening.”
Reegan Olson
St. Cloud
“I like to see what’s happening every day.”