The “plight of the newspaper industry” has been a topic of discussion for decades — since long before it was supposedly “threatened” by the advent of the Internet.

Now it’s time we newspaper staffers told the whole story.

When you read stories of the decline of newspaper circulation in major markets across the country, you likely don’t read that readership is on the rise among many community papers, both in print products and on the Web.

At The News Courier, which publishes Tuesdays through Sundays, is growing along with the community we represent. We also are seeing increased traffic on our expanded Web site at www.enewscourier.com.

In the past 30 days, 104,541 people visited the site, making 3.4 page views per visit for a total of 356,505 page views.

And these are customers loyal to our product — 71.8 percent are return visitors.

Despite any dire industry-wide predictions, one thing remains obvious: The News Courier is the only entity gathering all the news about Limestone County — annexation wars, new business openings, school happenings, governmental meetings — if it happens here, we want to write about it.

That’s not something you’ll find on CNN or in USA Today and it’s time we spread this positive news.

In addition, we can now offer readers services via the Internet we previously could not, such as our new online Shop Local section, a virtual marketplace.

Newsgathering hasn’t changed; it’s the mode in which the news is delivered to our customers that is evolving.

You still rely on our seasoned reporters and photographer to let you know what is happening in your neighborhood. No one does that better than an award-winning staff with close ties to the community.

Whether you choose to read that news in our printed version or online, you know you’re getting the best.

And that, as it always has been, is our goal.