We expected this before now! Ladies and Gentlemen, the 800-pound gorilla is entering the room, finally!

Lancaster Newspapers is introducing localized online editions dedicated to each of public school districts in the county. It is already in Garden Spot’s world and in Manheim Central’s and in Hempfield’s. This media company has the ability to engage its resources to produce current, topical, localized information at a single site, but Lancaster Newspapers is also seeking local bloggers to contribute to the sites:

“Do you know what’s going on in the Columbia area? Do you know the people and what they’re talking about? Want to share with the Columbia community? Start some conversations? We’re looking for a few good bloggers! Contact us if you’re interested.

[NOTE: Barry, this one’s for you.] “Do you bleed crimson and gold? Do you love all Columbia sports – the Tide and the community leagues of the Columbia region. We’re looking for a Columbia sports lover who will blog the sports scene. Insiders welcome. Contact us if you’re interested.”

 You can sign up to receive notice when the Columbia Website is ready to go … go to this page.

[FULL DISCLOSURE NOTE: The editor of Columbia news, view and reviews is retired from Lancaster Newspapers Inc. but has no current affiliation with the organization. We welcome this local micro-news aggregation initiative wholeheartedly. In fact, we stated this when we began this Website: “A locally operated alternative news and information source, Columbia news, views & reviews will try to remember that nothing contributes to the well-being of a community more than a balanced, objective and consistent local news and information source.”]

Does Columbia need five or more Internet local news and information destinations when one or two might do an excellent job of filling those needs? While competition fractures the audience, we believe that the player with greater resources – well engaged and dedicated to excellence – deserves the affinity of the audience. Again, we welcome this consolidation initiative; it is over-due. This has the potential to supplant the former “Columbia News.” … and maybe Columbia news, views and reviews?