The Precinct Reporter has published every Thursday since July 1965. It has not missed a single issue and spawned the Tri-County Bulletin for Orange County in 1984 and the Long Beach Leader in 1997. Each publication has met its commitment to publish every Thursday.
The Precinct Reporter began by serving the westside of San Bernardino to provide a news source to local residents during turbulent times. The paper was started just after the Watts riots in Los Angeles. It had an immediate impact on the political and economic scene as residents actively engaged power structures to effect change.
Publisher Art Townsend with Frances Grice
Founded by Art Townsend, a leading advocate for his community, his vision helped define the strategies of like minded community members such as Frances Grice, J.D. Greenwood, Robert Parker, Bonnie Johnson, and Valerie Pope Ludlam. Early contributing writers included Lois Carson, poet Pat Lacy, and Madeleine Seymour.
The Precinct Reporter started on a kitchen table on Muscott Street, now Medical Center Drive, and grew to circulate in San Bernardino, Riverside, Rialto, Fontana, and the High Desert.
The business of the News has been shifting for the last 15 years. The Precinct Reporter has tried to navigate the evolution of news gathering, distribution, and journalistic relevance. Like all other meaningful news outlets, the Precinct Reporter is still available in print, but also has a website, social media outlets, and a YouTube channel.
The Precinct Reporter is striving to serve its readers’ needs. Readers can count on the efforts of staff to keep the Precinct Reporter a goto source for advocacy, information and resources. Thank you for your continuing support.
