This week marks National Newspaper Week, which runs Oct. 6 to 12. This year’s theme is “Telling Our Stories.” We at the Courier-Tribune have been proud to bring you our collective community stories.

With nearly 60 years of combined experience between editors Kellie Houx and Amanda Lubinski, our newsroom remains dedicated to bringing readers the news they need and information they deserve in the format they prefer.

“We’ve seen readers take our paper’s election coverage into the voting booth with them. We’ve heard thanks from residents for breaking down complicated issues. We are honored to come to work every day to fulfill the need our community has for news,” said Lubinski, the Dispatch’s managing editor.

We at the Gladstone Dispatch also celebrate and mourn with our readers. Throughout the year, we get to say congratulations to Best of the Northland winners and those placing wedding and anniversary announcements. We also express our sympathies to those who place obituaries for loved ones.

A community newspaper is critical because it encourages a world of learning for all ages, supplies a balanced account of information and provides an outlet for differing views through comments, articles and editorials — both in print and online. Newspapers also fulfill the need businesses and organizations have to promote themselves and their events through advertising.

Thank you to our readers and customers for continuing to trust us to tell your stories.