Lloyd Green, regional editor for Messenger Publishing Group’s North Zone, which includes the “Pioneer Review, Gridley Herald and Territorial Dispatch,” speaks to Chamber members at the monthly Business Building luncheon at Rocco’s on Feb. 19.COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa County Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Business Builders luncheon on Feb. 19 at Rocco’s Bar & Grill, where members heard an overview of how local newspapers keep the community informed.
Executive Director Jack Cunningham introduced Lloyd Green, regional editor for Messenger Publishing Group’s North Zone, which includes the Pioneer Review, Gridley Herald and Territorial Dispatch. Green discussed circulation, coverage priorities and the role of local journalism in rural counties, noting that small communities rely heavily on consistent reporting to stay connected to local government and one another.
“I have a deep belief in newspapers and how well they can inform people,” Green said.
Green said the Colusa County Pioneer Review prints 1,500 copies each week, with about 1,400 reaching subscribers or local businesses where multiple readers pick them up. The paper also has more than 400 digital subscribers. He said Colusa County remains a strong print community, with many residents preferring a physical newspaper and expecting it to arrive each week with reliable, locally produced information.
“Colusa County is very unique… there’s still a lot of people that love their print paper,” he said.
Green said only local newspapers follow city council and other government actions when residents can’t attend meetings themselves. He pointed to issues such as utility rate increases, development impacts and financial problems facing special districts as examples of why independent coverage matters, adding that government press releases often leave out key details, including salaries, funding gaps or long-term effects on taxpayers.
Green said Messenger Publishing Group reporters work to fill those gaps by reviewing documents and following up with officials to provide fuller context for readers.
“Without newspapers, decisions start getting made without the public’s knowledge,” he said.
Chamber members also discussed the limitations of relying on social media platforms for local information or news residents can trust. Several noted that posts often reach audiences far outside the region, are emotionally divisive, or fail to appear in a timely way.
Cunningham said newspaper readers are reliably local, making print a more effective way to reach the community and a more stable place for businesses to advertise.
The luncheon concluded with questions about publication schedules, distribution and the paper’s advertising options, which include discounted rates for multi publication placements.