The newspaper for my hometown (population 6,000) often has articles about new businesses opening. I am going to be starting a web design business, and it would be nice if they could write about me in the paper. Do I just ask them if they can interview me, or do I need to send them a press release?
If you don't have any contact with any reporter I think the best idea would make a press release. In that way you can send it to surrounding newspapers. When you done that and if they find it interesting you can build up a 'relationship' with a reporter that you can contact later on.
Just give them a call. I have found that it is very easy to get a hometown newspaper to list you. I have even had several friends make it on the front page.