We truly are in the “information age.” Never before has so much information been exchanged by so many, so quickly.

But long before most people used the term “information technology,” we at the Wheeling News-Register were experts in using it.

Today is our 135th birthday. We at the newspaper celebrate it not just because of our long history of service, but also for what our track record says about the future.

On Sept. 22, 1890, when the News-Register began publication, founder H.C. Ogden insisted that service to readers and communities would be our guiding light.

Back then, just as today, printing presses were an integral part of information technology. They enabled us to provide readers with the news of the day efficiently and reliably. They still do, complementing other communications tools such as our website and other digital platforms where we share information on what’s happening in our region.

But Ogden and others at the News-Register — then and now — have understood that the means of exchanging information matters not if what is communicated is not useful.

That philosophy of providing the most accurate, comprehensive report of local, state, national and international news available to those in our area has served our communities well. No one does it better, even today. We field the region’s largest team of reporters heading into the field each day, providing not just the news but also how that news impacts you.

At the same time, Ogden recognized editorial leadership was critical. His philosophy, to which we adhere to this day, is that the positions we take will always be in the best interests of our readers, our towns and counties, and our states. Our allegiance is to those we serve, not to political parties or individuals. Our allegiance is to our communities, not to lawmakers or special interest groups.

We live here, work here and raise children and grandchildren here. These are our communities, and we want only the best for them. Our goal is to help our readers understand why our area truly is special.

That has been our history, but it also is our roadmap. Service to our readers is not just our heritage — it is our mission, each and every day.

So as we mark the passage of another year of service to our Ohio Valley, we look forward as well as back. We rejoice in the trust we have earned from readers while rededicating ourselves to earning it every day. That is worth celebrating and is reason for our readers to join us in wishing the News-Register a happy birthday.