Not that many years ago, the best way you could find out about businesses in town would be through your local newspaper. Your local newspaper is still a great source of advertising information, but if you’re looking for something, chances are you’re going to start by “Googling it.” Have you ever wondered why that’s become our go-to move? Well, a recent court ruling has shed some light on this, and it’s not a pretty picture.

It was a Thursday afternoon two weeks ago when the editor’s phone rang. A gentleman wanted to ask us if we knew anything about what happened in the Lowe’s parking lot over the weekend. He was there and saw a lot of first responders around a vehicle trying to help someone. The gentleman on the phone said there had been a suicide and it was ‘all over Facebook.’

We are in the midst of the Christmas season and the allure of online shopping and big-box retailers can be tempting. The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. However, there’s a compelling case to be made for turning our attention to local businesses. Shopping locally isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful way to support our community, economy, and environment. Here are some reasons to consider supporting your community’s small businesses.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the nation will pause to remember the 83rd anniversary of the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese against the U.S. Navy’s facilities at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Most Americans know it as Pearl Harbor Day, that the attack precipitated the United States’ entry into World War II and that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in condemning Japan’s aggression, called Dec. 7, 1941, “a date that shall live in infamy.”

We at Sandpaper Publishing have much to be thankful for, beginning with our members and readers. You fuel the passion we have for publishing three newspapers each week for three communities. We work hard to report and write the stories the matter most to you. We are your voice and are privileged to be in that role. Thank you for choosing us as your news and information source. We hope you stay tuned because we have so much more work to do for you.

Years ago, we ran an advertisement/message from Quint Studer, the famed Pensacola-based developer who re-imagined downtown Pensacola and made it what it is today. He is probably one of the most sought-after community planners in the country. The message we printed is still worth reading today.

You cannot be in our business without having a passionate love for all things newspapers. Well, let me clarify; you cannot stay in this business without having a passionate love for it. 

On Nov. 11 we will honor the brave men and women who answered a sacred call to duty for our country. It is a day to reflect on the courage, dedication and resilience of our military personnel. It is a small way to say, “thank you for your service” and we should add the words “and sacrifices.”

Baker is starting to blow up with growth. Growth can be good, but uncontrolled growth without infrastructure to match can be a nightmare. Crestview traffic is a poster child for uncontrolled growth.  And, in Baker, we don’t want to grow up to be Crestview!

In 2020, in one of the most spirited presidential elections in the history of our country, approximately 66% of the population voted.

That was a record turnout, clearly one of the best turnouts ever, if not the best.