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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2023)
3 Editorial Page by Rusty Savage It has been quite the ride, looking back, to get to this point. I’m looking down the Galley and seeing the first published issue of the North Douglas Herald newspaper and it all looks pretty good. I’ve lived here in North Douglas for almost 6 years now. A couple of years ago I started to notice a vacuum of local news and information on whats going on around the town and the area. TV News stations are all off covering communities 50 or 100 or more miles away. So you wind up getting plugged in to one of the many Facebook groups or other online groups. Or you can try to get plugged into a local civic or local benefit organizations. That is the sign of the kind of community minded individuals who are truly involved and informed. But there are many folks who have jobs and lives that keep them busy and occupied with life and they just want to be informed, honestly and truthfully. In this country, we do have a right to be informed and, in my view, to sit and read the newpa- per to get your news and local information, is just the right pace. So I want to tell you a little about the newspaper history of Drain Oregon. Just hearing the names of those publications conjours images of journalistic pioneers. The Drain Echo is the earliest news- paper on record, printed from 1885 until around 1887. Thats about when the Drain Watchman came out and it published un- til 1914. Along the way in 1901 came the Drain Nonpareil which also lasted until around 1914. Newspapers were quite popu- lar in those years. The very next paper published was also in 1914, possibly taking over after the Echo or the Nonpareil. Yep, the North Douglas Herald came on the scene in 1914. It seems to have been very popular but in 1922, the Enterprise also came into existence. The North Douglas Herald and the Enterprise may have been competitors that began working more with each other in the Depression 30’s, until they both faded out around 1940. The Drain Enterprise was resurrected again in 1950 and was steady until around 1997 but then had several pauses in produc- tion until it’s final demise about 4 years ago. So it’s common knowledge; the newspa- per is, somehow, a failing business model in this digital, audio/visual corporate world. Even though we all want a newspaper to see, feel and read all over, newspapers are a busted industry. I’ve worked in the publishing business, mostly in magazines, but some in tabloid and newspaper. I know the financial and promotional shortfalls and, more accu- rately, pitfalls of print media journalism. So we are offering a new model. I want to bring you a monthly publication that has value all month long. Content that touches on all the busy parts of living in our com- munities, with our work and play, our kids, and our many aspects. Monthly to save on mailing and printing and so that we can beat the odds and thrive, together. All that is needed to make it float is your little bit. Read the paper. It’s your paper, support the local advertisors. Send in a let- ter, what’s on your mind? Share pictures of your kids competing at a sports event. Keep the newspaper on the coffee table. Check the Almanac. Get the address of a new Church. Read your City section, check the next Council meeting. And Remember to support the Advertisors here in the Herald. Its their financial support that enables us to print, mail and distribute the North Doug- las Herald FREE to all of our Readers. Lets all thank the Advertisors in the best way we can. Support Local! I thank you the Read- ers for doing your part. On behalf of the North Douglas Her- ald, I promise to do my part. That is to give you the news and information that affects us in our world. Here where we live, I want to do my part to find what is important or what is entertaining and what is vital to you and to report it as it is, the way you want it. Truthfully, in a common sense fashion that encourages, entices and maybe provokes some thoughts and answers some others. It is my pleasure to work and report to you all that is news and keep you informed and aware of our surrounding world. Thank you on behalf of the North Douglas Herald Newspaper. North Douglas County is Rich in Oregon History Across the wooded hills and river valleys of northern Douglas County, you will find an abundance of historic sites and locations. From the traces of the Oregon Trail settlers and travelers to vestiges of General US Grant’s Hard Scrabble Ranch. Fort Umpqua is an important relic in picturing the forces that shaped our heritage here in North Douglas county. Pioneers like Jesse Applegate and Charles Drain still characterizes the fortitude and spirit that we reflect today. Dedicated to the readers and residents of Douglas & Lane Counties.
