MAUPIN — Colleen Strohm, who grew up in a journalistic family but who has no newspaper experience otherwise, is launching The South Wasco Times. Beginning Oct. 1, the newspaper will focus on local news pertinent to the southern half of rural Wasco County.
“We hope The South Wasco Times becomes a trusted and unbiased news source that represents multiple sides of the stories that matter to our readership,” said Strohm, who is both publisher and editor, and writes the majority of the articles. “We believe in old-fashioned journalistic standards and the idea that newspapers are a central pillar of any democracy. At the same time, we want people in the multiple towns we serve to get to know each other better. Familiarity breeds compassion.”
The South Wasco Times will publish monthly, except February, with offices based in Maupin, two hours east of Portland. Its inaugural edition is 20 pages long with an initial press run of 750 copies. In a nod to the analog revolution, the newspaper will only exist in printed form.
“It’s amazing how much excitement there is about this newspaper,” said Strohm. “Our communities want accurate information about the local politics, the schools, the events, and the people that impact our region. Too often rumor and word of mouth do not accurately reflect what has happened.”
The idea for the newspaper was born from conversations with Strohm’s friends and neighbors, who firmly believed that even a rural area with more cattle than people deserved its own local news source. The estimated population of southern Wasco County is around 1,200 people.
“Everyone seemed to agree we needed a newspaper,” said Strohm, “but no one had the time or energy to take on the challenge. I tried really hard to convince others to do it. After all, my husband and I retired to the area in 2021, so we’re newcomers. Finally, with no takers, I just decided to do it myself.”
Besides covering the meetings of southern Wasco school boards, city councils, planning commissions and other public organizations, the paper will profile local business and individuals. Volunteers have stepped up to write about health, gardening, fishing on the Deschutes River, local sports and to provide photography. The paper publishes a monthly calendar of local music and entertainment and features articles on regional history.
The South Wasco Times is currently staffed by Strohm and her husband Doug Lowell, who serves as advertising manager, reporter and photographer.
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