As 2016, a momentous year in terms of news and information, comes to a close, we want to express appreciation for the support our readers and advertisers have continued to show us, while also thanking every community member who helps our reporters, editors and business office staff members do their jobs.

From phone calls and news tips to thoughtful input from community and business leaders, you all share in helping The Bradford Era continue its work to inform the public and serve the best interests of our region. Every source who returns a reporter’s phone call, every high school sports coach who calls in a score, every reader who sends an email suggesting a possible story contributes to the never-ending mission of a local newspaper to connect with and inform the community.

Business owners advertise in the pages of the local newspaper because they want to be found where several thousand readers each day are drawn to for stories and photos on local news and sports. That advertising support becomes self-fulfilling — in that there would be little or no pages of local information without it.

Perhaps now more than ever — with a year behind us in which we saw how words and information can be misused or manipulated on certain platforms — communities, states and the nation as a whole need trusted sources of news that serve no agenda except to inform and contribute to honest discussion of events and issues.

We believe we have — and will continue to — fulfill that role to the best of our abilities. As we look ahead to a new year, we look forward to and appreciate your continued readership and support.