As a hyper-local newspaper, the Pine Knot News is a lean and keen newspaper. There are no unnecessary additives or sweeteners in the product you enjoy each week. And that includes the back of the paper, often filled with public notices.

These notices are the key to open government and an informed public. Yes, publishing them at a cost helps keep the lights on here at the office, but they also serve a valuable service to readers.

Newspapers have fought hard in recent years against the idea that notices should be self-published by government entities on their websites. Anyone who has visited...