NOTE: As many have asked about our survey. Here is the survey and the introductory text. We pushed this to our Facebook page and published it in our Oct 9 & 16, 2024 issues. Our return rate was approximately 15% of our pre-notice of closing subscriber numbers.

More than 2,600 U.S. newspapers have disappeared since 2004, and the rate of closures has only increased in the digital age. This troubling trend has left millions of Americans without a local source of news. Now, the Plainsman Herald, a nearly 140-year-old institution, faces the same challenge.

We’ve been in communication with several groups who are concerned about the potential loss of yet another local news outlet. Some have even discussed the possibility of investing or purchasing the paper. However, despite this interest, there are still very few buyers for rural weekly periodicals, making the future uncertain.

Recently, we’ve received many suggestions from our readers, all sharing a common sentiment: a sadness for the possible demise of this historic paper. While these ideas are appreciated, there is no easy answer. What we do know is that we value your input in determining whether there’s any viable path forward for the Plainsman Herald.  All of the questions are based on feedback we have received so far.  For example, one reader did ask us if raising the cost of  subscription to $100 per year would help? We have received many various suggestions of fundraisers, although such options look unlikely to cover consistent printing costs. 

To explore the options, we’ve created a survey and are asking for your feedback. Your responses will help us gauge the community’s support for keeping the paper alive.

Please take a moment to fill out the attached survey and return it to us, either by mail or by dropping it off at our office. Alternatively, you can participate in the online version of the survey on our Facebook page.

Thank you for your continued support and your commitment to local journalism.

Your Voice Matters!

Survey that was in the Newspaper Oct 9 & 16, 2024.

Printable Survey Text

Please fill out the following survey and mail it to the Plainsman Herald office or drop it off at 849 Main Street in Springfield.

Please fill out the following survey and mail it to the Plainsman Herald office or drop it off at our location.

1. Is a local news source such as the Plainsman Herald important to the local community?

   [  ] Yes

   [  ] No

2.Would you be willing to pay $100 per year for a subscription if it would allow the Plainsman Herald to continue publishing?

  [ ] Yes

  [ ] No

3. Would you/your business be willing to sponsor specific content if it would allow the Plainsman Herald to continue publishing?

  [ ] Yes

  [ ] No

4. If you answered “Yes” to the previous question about sponsoring specific content, which content would you sponsor?

   [ ] Sports

   [ ] Hooves and Horns or other cartoons

   [ ] Specific content such as Dawni O’Brien’s “Happy Trails”

   [ ] Other: ___________________________

5. How would you feel about a monthly or twice-a-month print publication? 

   ___________________________________________________________

6. What other suggestions do you have to make this newspaper financially viable?

   ___________________________________________________________

7. What is your favorite content in the Plainsman Herald? (Check all that apply)

 [ ] Local News

 [ ] Legal Notices

 [ ] Sports

 [ ] History

 [ ] Advertising

 [ ] Local Writers / Photographers

What is your absolute favorite content and why (short answer)?

   ___________________________________________________________

8. Do you subscribe to The Plainsman Herald?

 [ ] I currently have a print subscription.

 [ ] I used to subscribe, but no longer read it.

 [ ] I would subscribe if it were available online.

 [ ] I have never subscribed before.

9. How has your readership of the print edition changed in recent years?

 [ ] I read it more often now than in past years.

 [ ] I read it less often now than in past years.

 [ ] I read it as often as I did a few years ago.

 [ ] I rarely or never read the print edition.

10. If you stopped subscribing, what was the primary reason?

 [ ] I couldn’t afford it anymore.

 [ ] I get my news from other sources.

 [ ] The content didn’t meet my needs.

11. If there were an online edition of the Plainsman Herald, would you…**

 [ ] Be more likely to subscribe

 [ ] Be less likely to subscribe

 [ ] It wouldn’t make a difference

12. Are you aware of the Plainsman Herald’s Facebook page?**

 [ ] Yes, and I’m a fan.

 [ ] Yes, but I’m not a fan.

 [ ] I didn’t know there was one.

13. On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend the Plainsman Herald to a friend?

          1           2           3           4           5           6           7           8           9           10

14. On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you overall with the Plainsman Herald? 

          1           2           3           4           5           6           7           8           9           10

15. What devices do you own? (Check all that apply)

– [ ] iPhone

– [ ] Other smartphone

– [ ] iPad

– [ ] Other tablet (Samsung, Microsoft Surface)

– [ ] Laptop

– [ ] Apple TV

– [ ] iPod or MP3 player

16. What social media platforms do you use? (Check all that apply)

– [ ] Facebook

– [ ] Twitter

– [ ] Instagram

– [ ] Pinterest

– [ ] YouTube

17. Would you be willing to write/cover events in your community for the paper?

18. Other suggestions for the paper:  

___________________________________________________________

19. Any other comments on the Plainsman Herald?

___________________________________________________________

This survey can be clipped and dropped off or  mailed to:

The Plainsman Herald

849 Main Street, Springfield Co, 81073

You can also complete the  survey at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYirHy64JoNwEQokL9x2lo-t6jsEc3NlV2XprP_nqphZyOiA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thank you for your feedback!