As journalists, we sometimes encounter times we like to call "dark periods," where we have trouble finding newsworthy stories.

That's where you, the readers, come into play.

We welcome calls or e-mails letting us know about various events going on in the community that we might not hear about from our regular sources.

However, we also sometimes find it difficult to learn about things when people are unwilling to divulge information "on the record."

When people tell us they don't want to be quoted or photographed, even for our "On the Street" feature, we cannot use the information provided, potentially preventing us from completing a story to the level necessary to tell all sides.

On the other hand, what we learn from "off the record" conversations may also help to give us another perspective or angle to approach a story.

We also love to receive feedback from the community.

This allows us to analyze how we did on a particular story, and possibly do a follow-up story later on.

Readers have an optimum opportunity, on a daily basis, to give us feedback.

Whether it be by phone, e-mail, written letter or even a comment underneath a story we post online, it is always helpful and appreciated.

While feedback is not always positive, we do get a good feeling from it because we know our efforts to provide the news to the general public is not going unnoticed.

So feel free to let us know how we are doing, what you would like to see in the paper or on the website, and put in your two cents on any and all stories you want.