To our generous readers who donated to the PRT during our recent fundraising campaign, We Thank You! You have donated an astonishing $48,031 over the past two months! This record breaking amount is $11,000 more than we have ever raised before in our annual campaign! 

$15,000 of the funds raised will be matched by NewsMatch, a national organization that supports nonprofit newsrooms. The PRT was also selected to receive an additional $15,000 matching grant from The Loud Hound Fund. The Loud Hound Partner Fund is awarded to select local newsrooms to support civic engagement. We are honored to have been selected for this award for the third year in a row.

These donations help to ensure the future of the PRT and will be used to help us continue to bring you the local news that you depend on us to deliver. They fund your community news services—the printing of the paper; the hardworking staff; the PRT website, the weekly e-newsletter and breaking news alerts. 

In 2024, it will be more important than ever that our readers have access to factual, nonpartisan, accurate local news. Important issues that the PRT will be reporting on include local candidates for public office, the Hermosa Project and its impact on eastern Santa Cruz County, the County’s proposal to create a wine and cuisine tourism region in Sonoita and Elgin and efforts to override existing zoning restrictions, to name only a few. 

We are working to implement a robust breaking news and emergency alert system to better inform our communities about wildfires, accidents, law enforcement updates, road closures etc. 

Our staff is also working to improve our digital footprint, and to develop new tools and skills to support our evolving technical resources. Our dedicated Board members continue to work on our long term goals and strategic planning to ensure that the PRT will be a viable news organization for years to come.

Our committed group of volunteer writers continue to amaze us with their professionalism, and dedication to the PRT. These individuals volunteer their time and expertise to keep our readers informed and educated about those issues and events that affect our community.

Our PRT family members include not only our writers, our board members and staff, but also all of you that have supported us this year. We thank you for kicking off 2024 in the best way possible, especially as we emerge from the challenges of the past few years. Thank you for your investment in the future of the PRT because, especially in these tumultuous times, local news matters!