Today is The Plumas Sun’s first birthday. We are celebrating with exuberance and gratitude.
When our dedicated team first gathered in mid-July 2023, our goal was to prevent Plumas County from becoming a news desert. Feather Publishing Co. had just announced that Plumas News, its esteemed online presence, would close at the end of the month. We were determined to beam news of local government and communities to the far corners of the county, keeping us all in touch with one another, informed and vigilant. We believed — then and now — that accurate, unbiased information is a cornerstone of democracy.
We were venturing into unknown territory. Despite a wealth of talent and a diverse array of experience, none of us had ever launched an online news platform. We came together so quickly that we did not even have a name for this enterprise four days before we went live online. But we had confidence in our commitment to the value of independent journalism and its pivotal role in fostering community health, countywide progress and rebuilding after the Dixie Fire. That has not waned.
The growth of The Plumas Sun from a vision to an active news presence has been exhilarating for all of us involved. Today we are publishing between two and five stories daily. We employ six part-time writers who are producing original stories emerging from local football fields, art galleries and the shadows of county government. We rely on information about events and issues provided by community activists, nonprofit groups and public agencies. Our website sees 26,000 devices and 137,000 unique page views per month. More than 1,400 individuals subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.
We are well aware that there are still gaps in our coverage and are actively recruiting reporters to help fill them. Of particular concern are stories involving and engaging the northern part of Plumas County. We are seeking funding to bolster our growth both geographically and topically. Meanwhile, we are grateful to The Almanor Foundation for allowing us to operate under its fiscal sponsorship while we await approval of our own 501(c)(3) application.
The Plumas Sun has faced daily challenges that range from establishing a consistent style of writing to social media policies to financial issues. Our codes of ethics and conduct have evolved out of considered responses to unexpected predicaments, vetting each decision through our thoughtful and conscientious team. We are happy to be able to post legal notices and obituaries as a public service. Step-by-step, we are creating a news organization anchored in independent journalistic values and a deep commitment to community.
The most gratifying outcome of this first year has been the public response to our fledgling news platform. You have read our stories, shared them and let us know what you think. You have taken the information to boardrooms and the streets, to town hall meetings and elected officials. Journalism without an audience is just a journal. You are more than readers to us. You are our community partners.
Today we celebrate our achievements as a news organization, and we thank you for your enthusiasm and support as readers, advocates and participants in The Plumas Sun. As we go forth, we are buoyed by the strength of your response. We are confident that the light we are able to shed on all aspects of our county will strengthen it, invigorate our leaders and inspire our communities. Happy birthday to The Plumas Sun community!
