Renewed Era of Local News Signaled by The Bugle

CEDAR SPRINGS, MI - The community of Cedar Springs is coming together to support a new effort to preserve its last source of local news. First launched in 1984, The Bugle has long been a part of Cedar Springs life, and its continuation aims to fill the void left by the closure of The Post in 2022.

With the closure of The Post, a cornerstone of community information since 1988, residents expressed an outcry over the loss of a trusted local news source. Social media has since become a popular alternative for information, but its limitations have highlighted the need for a dependable publication. Issues such as misinformation, rumors, and a lack of in-depth reporting have underscored the value of a resource like The Bugle. In a chance encounter on Red Flannel Day, 2024, Tom Noreen, former publisher for The Bugle, interviewed local business owner, and Cedar Springs native, Jake Watson for an article. Watson expressed interest in contributing to The Bugle as a hobby, however Noreen who owned the publication since 2006 revealed his plan to retire. Without a successor, the paper would be closed. Watson, not wanting to let the publication, and last source of local news fade away, offered to keep it going. “The Post was more than just a paper; it was a tapestry that captured the heartbeat of our community. I felt it was essential to keep that connection alive through The Bugle.”

Revamping of the publication brings the exciting opportunity for Cedar Springs to reconnect with town happenings through a reliable source of information. Once only printed, The Bugle will soon offer both a printed monthly edition and a modern online platform at www.csbugle.com, as well as a Facebook page, positioning itself to reach a wider audience than ever before. This dual-format approach ensures that local news remains accessible to everyone, whether they prefer the traditional feel of a newspaper, the convenience of digital updates, or both. By embracing modern technology and fostering community involvement, The Bugle aims to serve as a central hub for local stories, events, and businesses.

The support of the Cedar Springs Historical Society has further bolstered The Bugle’s growth. By providing space at the Cedar Springs Museum located at Morley Park, the Historical Society has made it possible for the paper to expand its scope while continuing to serve as a vital community resource. The museum itself, along with its dedicated members and board, add invaluable historical insight to The Bugle’s content, ensuring that the community’s past remains intertwined with its present and future.

Another exciting initiative being explored is a partnership with area schools, encouraging students to get involved not only in journalism, but community service and civic duty. Plans are already underway with Creative Technologies Academy to inspire interest in reporting, writing, and storytelling.

With a fresh vision, The Bugle is poised to do more than just inform, it’s set to inspire. The newspaper’s continuation, and in some ways, revival, signals a renewed era for the community, where every resident has access to the trusted, reliable news they deserve.

As The Bugle continues to sound, it remains focused on the same core mission that has guided it for decades: Fostering Connection and Capturing The Heartbeat of Cedar Springs.