We made it! One full calendar year after opening business as the Patriot Newspaper serving Becker, Big Lake, Clear Lake and Clearwater communities.

And we couldn’t have done it without you, our loyal readers and advertisers!

Four staffers from the previous newspaper — the Citizen-Tribune — were given the news last spring that the newspaper’s last edition was quickly approaching. The superceding editor decided it was time to go into full retirement and these stubborn four staffers refused to see the small town newspaper go by the wayside.

After careful consideration, planning and sacrifice, the four staffers — Chris Meyer, Bill Morgan, Carol Hanson and Kathy Nelson — decided to preserve the local newspaper of Becker, Clear Lake and Clearwater, re-brand it and re-include the community of Big Lake — all while COVID-19 was wreaking havoc on small businesses and employers.

During those tough first few months, we were fortunate enough to have applied and were granted PPE grants to keep our new enterprise above water. Our advertisers are what kept us afloat and remain the most important piece of the puzzle in providing Sherburne County residents their weekly news source.

Each week, the Patriot has strived to bring you accurate, honest and complete news coverage for the communities in our readership areas. Our writers work diligently to bring you entertaining and compelling features about you, your neighbors, your school kids and your governments; photo galleries of local events; and a comprehensive sports section dedicated to local athletics and school activities.

Each week, the Patriot is distributed in neighborhoods via the U.S. mail and at five drop sites for convenient, local pick up. 

Online, the Patriot can be found at patriotnewsmn.com, and through our presence on Facebook and Twitter (@PatriotNewsMN).

Each week, the staff of the Patriot promises to publish a community-friendly newspaper that brings the local news to you. We cherish feedback — good or bad — and hope to continue to fine-tune your local newspaper. Suggestions? Contact us at 763-275-0275.

We welcome story ideas, letters to the editor, press releases and submitted material. We want to hear what is going on and we want to hear about your accomplishments and help celebrate that with a story or photo.

Businesses, we want you to know we support your enterprise and want to see you succeed. Your community wants you to succeed. We strive to aid your business in getting the word out about your products, services or employment opportunities.

We’ve learned that when you support your local community, your local community supports you.

Thank you all for your loyalty, your patronage and your support in reading your local newspaper, the Patriot. We hope you enjoy this weekly and look forward to bringing you many more in the years to come.

Patriotism means supporting and loving one’s country even when it’s going through rough or difficult times. We (and you) went through a difficult time in 2020 and the first half of 2021 - let’s hope the next six months and beyond as we create a feeling of oneness among the people.

God Bless!