The Tri-Cities Dispatch is a local media non-profit covering the Tri-Cities area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. Story by LJI reporter, Nancy Furness.

The goal of the Dispatch is to provide residents of the Tri-Cities area with the news and information they need to stay in touch with their community, along with quality original reporting and journalism. There are currently about 9400 subscribers receiving the weekday Dispatch directly into their email inboxes.

Jeremy Shepard, editor of the Dispatch says, while stories of interest locally are covered by himself, Local Journalism Initiative journalist Patrick Penner (covering City Councils), and Hanna Hett (covering -Environment) there is so much happening that ‘covering an area the size of the Tri-Cities is a challenge’.

With respect to neighbourhood level stories and local events Jeremy says, ‘We rely on the public in a huge way to bring those stories of interest’. He encourages residents with stories and events to share to contact the Dispatch via email at hello@tricitiesdispatch.com

The idea of the Dispatch as a local not-for-profit media is to be as independent as possible with funding coming from advertising, Federal funding, and donations. The Tri-Cities Dispatch is accountable to their readers, as opposed to a corporation or shareholders. Feedback from readers and supporters is welcomed.

Jeremy says ‘When we started, the idea was we would be a competitor and a complement to TriCity News’. With the closure of the TriCity News, he says, ‘Now it’s really on us, our conscience and background to do the best job we can’.

As far as the continuing loss of local media Jeremy feels, ‘The industry seemed to make a choice to leave behind print and dollars for advertising, to chase dimes on the internet’. Getting sustainable online advertising is a real challenge.

Jeremy says, ‘There are still some great reporters doing great stuff, but I do see a lot of people getting news straight from a facebook group’.

Residents can support local media by donating and/or subscribing to the Tri-Cities Dispatch.