Everyday people

In 2025, The Star News will celebrate 150 years of reporting on the news of Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin and the world — or at least that portion of the world that impacts our local residents.

In many ways the world today is a very different place than when the first issue of the paper was published. What has remained unchanged over the century and a half is that the primary task of any newspaper is to share the news of the day.

Often these are stories that bring a significant amount of impact to readers. It may be discussion of a proposed road project or a possible school referendum that promises to improve educational opportunities but comes with a price tag in the form of a tax increase.

A news story may be a celebration of the triumphs of someone from the area who was able to achieve great things. In any given issue there are stories of people excelling at sports, the arts, sciences or some other pursuit from piano recitals to national awards.

There is, of course, coverage of local government. The decisions, and indecisions, of elected and appointed leaders impact all of us in some way or another and it is vitally important that decisions are made transparently and in the best interest of area residents.

News may also mean sharing in economic growth or decline with businesses opening and expanding or welcoming new staff and leaders or shutting their doors. Likewise, the paper has served as a reliable and effective platform for businesses to advertise their goods and services.

Over the decades, there have been scandals, crime, loss and tragedy. These too have taken their place on the pages of The Star News, and at times appeared to overshadow the good in our communities — as if the light of the world had dimmed.

Among the pages and stories are also those of hope. There are stories of young people winning their battle against cancer or coming back from serious accidents and injuries. There are the stories of local people coming together to do good not only in their communities, but in the world as a whole. These are the types of stories that inspire each of us to do and be a little better in our own lives.

In addition to sharing the headlines, community newspapers also have the task of being the chronicle of their community, recording the history of the area as it happens and providing a time capsule of what life was like in that particular place and time.

Any regular readers of The Star News will see certain familiar names and faces. Those in positions of power and authority in the community or who always seem to be involved when something interesting is happening.

Despite the frequency that their names may appear, they only tell part of the story of our communities and our times.

Each of us has a story to tell. Our lives are unique and interesting in their own right and are equally part of the fabric that makes our community what it is.

The Star News used to run regular “locals” columns. Filled with such breaking news as who attended the brunch at the Smith residence or that young William was on the mend from having fallen from his uncle’s apple tree or of the two bachelor roommates who traveled to New Orleans with the express purpose of securing themselves brides.

By themselves, these stories may appear to be trivial and just so much idle gossip. I personally find these items fascinating to read as I spend time going through dusty bound volumes of back issues or scroll through microfilm. They give me the opportunity to peer through a window in history and see what it is like to live at a different time.

An important role of community newspapers is to tell the stories of the people and places we call home.

Each of us has a story to tell and we want to share that story for readers today and for decades to come. It might be the rutabaga from your garden that looks like Abe Lincoln, or the hobby car you have been working on restoring since you were a teenager.

Over the next year I will be making an effort to share these stories. But, I need your help to do that. Do you, or someone you know have a story to share? Let me know by dropping a letter, phoning the office, emailing me at brianwilson@centralwinews.com, or stopping me in the grocery store.