Last Thursday’s ribbon cutting at our new office at 118 E. Second St. in Winslow was one of those moments that remind me why we do what we do. Nearly 100 people packed into our little space to celebrate a newspaper that has been a part of our communities for 116 years, and I’ll be honest seeing so many familiar faces and new ones truly warmed my heart.
When I bought the Painted Desert Tribune last year, I knew how much this newspaper meant to me, but I don’t think I fully realized how much it meant to all of you until that moment. To have folks from Winslow, Holbrook and communities all across Navajo County show up and show their support reminded me that locally-owned journalism is more than just a business. It’s a trust. It’s a lifeline that connects us to one another, that records our triumphs and our challenges, and that preserves the history of our communities.
It’s easy to forget how rare that is these days. Small-town papers like ours are closing at a pace that’s hard to watch, leaving behind news deserts where no one is left to tell the stories that matter. That’s why Thursday was so special. You reminded me—and I hope reminded yourselves—that we are not alone in this work. This is your paper, and it will always reflect the community we serve.
But that only works if we stay connected. If you ever feel like The Tribune isn’t telling the stories that reflect your experience in this community, please come talk to me. My door is always open because I believe the only way we keep local journalism strong is by working together.
Thank you again to the Winslow Chamber of Commerce for hosting and to every single person who took the time to stop by. I left Thursday’s ribbon cutting more hopeful than ever about the future of the Painted Desert Tribune. Here’s to another 116 years of telling the stories of Winslow, Holbrook and all the corners of Navajo County we call home.
