Like many media outlets, the Columbia County Spotlight is making health-related news about the coronavirus crisis free to the public. But it’s not free to us. Our team of reporters and photographers are out in this community every day, tracking down and verifying information about this disease and its impact on the region. And, they’re doing it at a time when the global pandemic has brought the local economy to a near standstill, and advertising along with it. That new financial challenge means the Spotlight must find new ways to provide important local news and information as a public service during this unprecedented crisis.

Many of you already subscribe, and for that, we are grateful (learn more at savinglocalnews.com). https://www.pamplincirculation...

But we now are also asking subscribers and non-subscribers to consider making tax-deductible donations earmarked for our coverage of this ongoing health crisis.

If you believe local, trusted information is critical, especially during these unsettling times, please donate to help keep us on the job. Contributions to this fund will help pay for news resources to cover the impact of the virus on our local communities, information on the trend in positive cases, testing sites, business closures (and, of course, re-openings) and the impact to our students during the state ‘Stay at home’ order.

Thank you for your support of the Spotlight during this critical time!

Miles Vance, Editor

503-330-0127

[email protected]

Columbia County Spotlight - COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.