This week, The News/Slechta Communications sent checks totaling $1699.80 to our fire departments thanks to a revenue-sharing special section The News published during Fire Prevention week on Oct. 13.

This section featured photos and stories on area volunteer fire departments, as well as fire prevention tips.  Advertisers designated the departments to which The News was to send their shares of the revenue-sharing edition.  We appreciate and thank the businesses for their support.

Broken down by fire department, totals were $874.80 Kalona; $375 Riverside; $345 Wellman; and $105 Lone Tree.

We are pleased to be able to share this revenue with the dedicated firefighters from each of the area communities.  We did the same type of revenue sharing in the spring for the area volunteer EMS (Emergency Medical Service) volunteers and are planning to do the same in 2023.

Gift Guide Special

This edition of The News features a special Christmas shopping guide filled with specials from area retailers, plus recipes and Christmas stories, along with some games.  We encourage you to browse this special section and plan to shop local.

Extra copies of this special section are available at The News office, the Kalona Chamber of Commerce, and participating stores. 

Briefs

The News has a “Briefs” column on the front page each week to give notice of special events.  This column is not meant to replace advertising for organizations; rather, they are meant to supplement advertising and make the reader aware of community and government meetings.

The News already discounts advertising for nonprofit organizations.  Instead of our open rate of $13 a column inch, we charge only $8.50; for color, our open rate of $45 is discounted to $20.  For example, a 2-column x 5-inch color ad for a nonprofit would be discounted $110.

Recently, some organizations that have run ads in the past to promote their events have instead only requested a news brief.

We are glad to help promote events with a news brief or story; however, we ask that you not abuse the generosity of The News by neglecting to advertise if you charge money for an event.  We prefer not to start charging for news briefs and/or move them to an advertising column on an inside page.  We are more than happy to work with you on an individual basis to determine the best way to promote your event.

We often donate more to projects than we charge in advertising.  When my bookkeeper recently totaled the donations we have given to school and community activities this year, she was alarmed. 

If you need items for silent or live auctions, please contact us for a gift subscription or two.

We will continue to make donations to worthy causes, but please advertise with us when you can afford to, as The News’ main source of revenue is advertising.  We, too, want to survive so we can continue to cover the news and serve our communities.