One day, a bear cub wandered into town and spent an afternoon perched in a maple tree on Foundry Street, just as school was letting out. The sight stopped traffic, filled sidewalks with curious neighbors, and sparked a flood of photos and stories. For weeks, whenever word spread that “the bear” was in someone’s yard, it became the talk of Amherst.
That shared excitement — the way news of the bear connected us across neighborhoods — is what inspired the name of our new community newspaper: The Amherst Bear. Like that special moment so many years ago, we want our paper to pull us together, give us something in common, and remind us of what makes Amherst unique.
From Strong Local Papers to a News Gap
For nearly 30 years, The Amherst Citizen brought us the stories, photos, and conversations that made Amherst feel like home. But over time, for-profit local papers across the country began to disappear. Big media companies bought up community newspapers, cut staff, and prioritized profits over people. Advertising dollars shifted to Google and Facebook. And as COVID hit, even The Amherst Citizen struggled.
Without a printed newspaper, something vital was lost. Our town felt disconnected. We no longer had that shared space where we could see our children in the paper, learn about our neighbors, or follow what was happening at town hall.
Why the Internet Alone Isn’t Enough
Some might ask: “Can’t we just get our news online?” It’s true, the internet is full of information. But it doesn’t replace what a local newspaper provides.
A printed community newspaper is effortless and inclusive — it shows up in your mailbox whether or not you were looking for it, and it introduces you to stories you didn’t even know were happening. You discover events, decisions, and neighbors’ stories that might never have crossed your radar otherwise.
By contrast, the internet is narrow and selective — you only see what you search for, or what an algorithm feeds you. That creates silos, divides neighbors, and can even polarize communities. A printed newspaper breaks down those walls by giving everyone the same shared foundation of knowledge. The internet silos us, but a newspaper connects us!
That shared awareness is what keeps a town connected. It builds empathy, trust, and a sense that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Building Something New Together
The Bear doesn’t have corporate backing, and we aren’t running this as a for-profit business. Instead, we’re building a nonprofit newspaper for Amherst, by Amherst. We’ve formed a board of directors, brought on local staff, and are registered as a 501(c)3 in New Hampshire. Our goal is to deliver the first issue of The Bear in early 2026 and establish a reliable, locally focused community newspaper for Amherst.
How You Can help
Like the bear in the tree on Foundry Street, The Bear is meant to bring us together. But it will only thrive with the support of the community.
Together, we can rebuild something that for-profit media couldn’t sustain — a newspaper rooted in community, free from outside pressures, and dedicated entirely to Amherst.
