Hills newspaper ceases publication; Crescent voice lives on in Star Herald

This week the Hills Crescent put out its final edition after 126 years of serving the readers of Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen. (See the related story on page 1.)
Since 1997, it’s been publishing under the same ownership as the Rock County Star Herald but with its own news writer and its own community identity.
As has been the way of many small-town newspapers, subscriptions have dwindled with populations and advertising revenue has shrunk with the number of viable small-town businesses.
Last week, Hills Crescent subscribers received a letter informing them their little newspaper was ceasing publication.
It was a difficult decision for the Star Herald business office and it was likely more difficult for Hills Crescent readers to hear.
Newspapers are the heartbeat of their communities — announcing city infrastructure upgrades, school construction referendums and county 10-year road and bridge improvements.
News reporters keep tabs on government and public money … and informed residents are empowered to participate in decisions that affect their lives and how their money is spent. It’s a rare social media site that provides this level of necessary information.
Newspapers are also the social fabric that connects people to each other and sets the tone for how a community celebrates successes and recovers from losses, whether it’s a football game or a public economic endeavor. Social media can do this, but local news reporters checked the facts and likely got it right.
To lose a community newspaper is truly a community loss.
But here’s the good news: A town doesn’t need its own newspaper to have a voice. It simply needs to make sure its voice is heard.
You, dear readers, are the heartbeat of your community and the social fabric of your community, and it’s up to you to let us tell your story — and that goes for all our readers, not just in Hills.
Call us, email us and reach out through social media. The more you share, the better your story will be.
The Star Herald has always been the county newspaper. Long before we took in the Hills Crescent, we were telling the stories of southwestern Rock County and we will continue to do so going forward.
Farewell, Hills Crescent. You served your readers well. May your heartbeat and voice live on in the pages of the Rock County Star Herald.