N.L. Breaks the news: Bakesfield’s only alternative newspaper is shutting down.

If any town could use a good alternative weekly, it’s Bakersfield. Not that the Blackboard was it (it wasn’t even weekly), but at least it was something.

I guess that leaves the torch for local alternative journalism firmly in the hands of local bloggers, with Nick being the primary mover there.

Here’s a proposal for Belardes and other local bloggers: Form a group blog, maybe even acquire the old Blackboard domain; establish some tight editorial guidelines about keeping things local; come up with a clear editorial plan; solicit other contributors … and create something special.