It used to publish local soccer and baseball coverage from little league and the Crystal Lake Soccer Association. There were pictures of classrooms, random pictures of people shopping or picnicking.

The local paper gave you the scoop on what new business was opening, what sales were happening at Frank’s Toy shop or even when the local garden club would hold it’s mum sale.

I subscribe because I enjoy the local news. What is the County Board up to? What drama is stirring at Algonquin Township?

The main reason is the coverage of high school sports. It is still what holds schools and communities together. I like to walk out on the driveway and see the box scores of baseball, tennis, basketball and football.

This had dwindled away slowly. While there is some digital coverage of high school sports, there are very few days anymore where high school athletics is covered anymore in print.

Is the going to another thing that the pandemic eliminates?

I sure hope not. There are so many deserving coaches, athletes, AD’s, parents, etc. that would like recognition and coverage.It is alarming that we as a society cannot find a place for this anymore.

Extra-curricular activities benefit young people in so many important ways. Reporting and recognize these events, athletes, and teams could not only promote them but it could save your newspaper and the professions of the full time writers who have spent their career perfecting their craft.

Derek Gablenz

Crystal Lake