Like so many businesses and organizations on our Hill, the Town Crier continues to be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some businesses and organizations do continue to faithfully advertise with us, but some haven’t been able to advertise due to the financial strain so many are facing.
So, in March, the Town Crier applied to the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) for several types of loans.
In mid-April, we learned that the Town Crier, although qualified for these loans, would not be receiving any because the SBA was out of money. When Congress voted to allocate more funds for the SBA loans two weeks ago, the Town Crier got back in line.
On Friday, May 1, we learned from BBVA Bank that the Town Crier was to receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan — enough to deliver paychecks to our five employees for at least another two months.
In addition, the Idyllwild Town Crier will soon be operating out of its new office in Strawberry Creek Plaza at 54391 Village Center Drive, Unit 5, next door to Idyllwild Pharmacy.
This new location represents a considerable downsizing of our physical premises, but the operation and publication of the Town Crier newspaper will not be altered, and all current Town Crier employees will remain with us. We will be providing most of the same services to our community at a location that is more convenient to all.
Our office downsizing is a cost-saving move that coordinates with our Membership model by which so many of you Members are continuing to support your community newspaper.
We feel we owe it to our Members to economize as much as possible so as to maximize the supporting effect of Membership contributions.
We at the Town Crier are committed to do all we can to serve our Members and readers by securing advertising, economizing on expenses and obtaining needed financing to keep the Town Crier serving our Hill community.
Another round of thanks to you faithful advertisers and Members for maintaining your support of your Hill’s community newspaper during these tough times.
County Service Area 38 advisory committee was recently rendered inactive by the county, but the Town Crier continues to be the sole media monitor of the local public entities that are funded by your taxes and that make decisions and recommendations as to how to spend more of those tax dollars.
So, during the month of May, the Town Crier will be on the move, and by May 31, we will be fully ensconced in our new home.
Call us at the same phone number 951-659-2145.
For newspaper display ads and for ads in the Explore Idyllwild Directory, Explore Idyllwild Map and the Town Crier service directory ask for Lisa Streeter. For Town Crier classifieds, legal notices and service directory ads ask for Mandy Johnson. Letters to the editor and other editorial inquiries are the province of Editor Melissa Diaz Hernandez. For professional graphic art services ask for Halie Wilson. Jenny Kirchner is our staff reporter and photographer extraordinaire.
We look forward to serving you at the Town Crier’s new office home.
