Stories about the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression dominated The Desert Sun last week. By now, you know the blizzard of bad news quite well:

Wall Street just ended its most tumultuous week ever. Stocks have been in a free fall for eight straight sessions, and the Dow Jones Industrial average had its worst week in its 112-year history.

Two U.S. industrial icons, Ford and General Motors, saw their stock prices collapse. There's now talk of more plant closings and production cuts at GM.

Millions of Americans have been ensnared in the credit crisis that's gripping the world, and retirement and 401(k) funds have been pummeled.

The world's top finance ministers gathered in Washington this weekend to find solutions.

It's clearly been an historic story, and we've offered comprehensive coverage of the key national and international angles while also talking to local bankers, brokers, business owners and beleaguered consumers stung by Wall Street's woes here in the Coachella Valley.

And then Monday, this e-mail - one of hundreds that drop in my in-box daily - grabbed my attention. You might have seen it published as letter to the editor in our Opinion section:

“In today's economy, there seems to be bad news every day, but what happened to the glass half full? On 9/9 my position at one of the local banks was eliminated. No matter the reasons, it happened, but what I find is there are many opportunities if we care to look for them. Home sales up over 130% over August of last year, that's good news. The agents who had those sales are still providing for their families and making the economy happen. In the past 30 days we purchased a new car and the dealer turned a sales and kept the doors opened. Looking for work, I have met people at coffee shops and the places are full and people seem happy.

“This is America. I'm a Vietnam Vet and love my county and the Valley. Please put good news on the front page ever once in a while and if you need a story I give you names of people to call. Cancer and other diseases are taking the toll but please don't add to it by all the negative things going on. KEEP THE FAITH & MAKE AMERICA HAPPY AGAIN.”

It was signed by Bob Neubauer, a 61-year-old Indio resident and a Desert Sun subscriber since moving to the valley in 2003.

“I try to be a positive, Christian guy,” Bob told me Saturday morning. “I know we're facing some adversity right now, and it needs to be told. But if we could read just a pinch bit more about the positive things, people could find more hope.”

Balancing the bad news

I know Bob's feelings are shared by others.

As this crisis has unfolded, I've heard a steady drumbeat from some about the cascade of bad news. They realize the depth of our economic woes, but they're asking that we not devote our full attention - and news columns - to these stories and ignore the close-to-home positive stories in our community.

Our recent news meetings have been filled with conversations among editors about the right mix of stories. Intuitively, we know how important it is to go beyond the steady diet of doom-and-gloom news.

And we do publish those stories.

On today's B1, you will read a story by Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi about a doctor who every year returns to his home country of El Salvador to help hundreds of people who do not have access to medical treatment.

Last week alone we wrote about local National Merit Scholar finalists and sinking gas prices, as well as donations to local food charities and the positive exposure for the Coachella Valley from last night's outdoor NBA exhibition in Indian Wells.

But we need to do more.

So, starting today, we're tweaking things slightly to spotlight more of the positive:

Every morning edition will have a designated “Today's Good News” story. You'll see a designated graphic accompanying the story, and it also will be touted in our Page One index.

We'll do our best to promote a local positive story, but there's a chance the day's best good news will come from our wires. It also will be found anywhere in the newspaper — from Page One to deep inside our Sports section.

We're extending our efforts to our mydesert.com Web site, too. Starting today, staffer Brittany Kuhn kicks off her new “A Little Good News” blog. She'll write about the good things happening in our community - from high school honor rolls and charitable contributions to one-gallon blood donors and the Good Samaritan on Highway 111.

Look for Brittany's blog on our home page, as well as snippets of it published frequently in our morning editions.

How can you help? It's simple: Share your good news.

E-mail Brittany at goodnews@thedesertsun.com or mail it directly to us here at The Desert Sun, 750 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262. You also can give us a call at (760) 778-4659.

It's clear that all of us — readers and editors alike — are being deluged right now with non-stop blasts of bad news. We'll responsibly cover all aspects of the financial mess in which we're now immersed, but we'll also not miss the joys and everyday accomplishments in our community's life.

The unraveling of Wall Street and other global markets cannot diminish those special moments.

As Bob Neubauer told me, keep the faith and stay positive.

And look for your good news in The Desert Sun and at mydesert.com.

Now, more than ever, thanks for reading us.