Building Connections, One Story at a Time
When we first published the Row River Review, our goal wasn’t to start a newspaper. Our goal was to help neighbors stay connected.
Living in a rural valley means information doesn’t always travel easily. Whether it’s wildfire preparedness, community events, local history, volunteer opportunities, or simply knowing what’s happening close to home, we believed our community deserved a reliable way to stay informed.
Recently, we had the opportunity to participate in a statewide study examining the future of independent local journalism in Oregon. Conducted by NW Opinions for the Fund for Oregon Rural Journalism, the study explored the challenges and opportunities facing community publishers across the state. Twenty-five independent news organizations participated, representing communities large and small throughout Oregon.
What the researchers found was both encouraging and concerning.
Across Oregon, people continue to value trusted local news and the role it plays in strengthening communities. Yet independent publishers consistently shared that the greatest challenge isn’t a lack of commitment or public interest. It’s capacity. Small organizations often have more stories to tell and more people to serve than their staffing, resources, and time allow.
The report also reached a conclusion that resonated deeply with us. Local journalism is more than reporting the news. It strengthens civic participation, helps neighbors stay connected, supports emergency preparedness, and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities. The report even suggests that local journalism should be viewed as an important part of a community’s infrastructure, alongside schools, libraries, public health systems, and community organizations.
It was especially meaningful, then, to learn that the Row River Review and the Row River Community Partnership were selected as one of only five featured publisher profiles in the statewide report.
The report recognized the Row River Review as an example of community information infrastructure, noting that it helps residents remain informed, connected, resilient, and prepared.
For those of us who call the Row River Valley home, that recognition feels especially meaningful. In a community spread across miles of forest, where internet access and cell service are not always reliable, a printed newspaper still matters. It shares local news, emergency preparedness information, community resources, local history, and the stories that remind us we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves.
It Takes a Community
While the report recognizes the Row River Review, we know this recognition belongs to many people.
I would especially like to recognize our editor, Laura Bee.
Laura has helped shape the Row River Review into the publication it is today. She coordinates articles, edits every issue, encourages local writers, and somehow brings together countless moving pieces into a newspaper that reflects the heart of our valley. Her creativity, dedication, and genuine care for our community are reflected on every page.
The report speaks about the importance of building stronger communities through trusted local information. Laura helps make that happen every single month, and I am deeply grateful for her partnership, friendship, and commitment to this work.
I also want to thank everyone who has helped make the Row River Review possible. Thank you to our volunteer writers, photographers, local historians, businesses, advertisers, community organizations, and the many neighbors who have contributed stories, ideas, and encouragement along the way. Thank you to those who help fold newspapers, prepare them for mailing, and ensure they reach homes throughout the valley. Most of all, thank you to our readers, whose continued support reminds us why this work matters.
This has never been a newspaper produced for the community. It has always been a newspaper created by the community.
As the Row River Valley continues working together to strengthen emergency services, protect our forests and watershed, support our neighbors, and build a more resilient future, the Row River Review will continue serving the role it was created for: helping keep our community informed, connected, and engaged.
We are honored by this recognition from NW Opinions and the Fund for Oregon Rural Journalism. More importantly, we are encouraged that the report recognizes something our community has long understood.
Information is more than news.
It is connection.
It is preparedness.
It is resilience.
And in a rural community like ours, it is another way neighbors care for one another.
