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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.