Local papers will often publish, but CALL FIRST! Talk to the editor. Be sure you use the format they want (usually but not always double spaced, for example) and if you file by email, be sure that the word processing program you use can be used by them (Wordperfect, for instance, will open a Word document without trouble, but it doesn't work the other way around). And for all you know they might be using Quark Express!

ALWAYS include contact information: your name, address, phone number, and email address. That way they can contact you if necessary.

ALWAYS run both a spell check AND a grammar check before you file. And it's considered polite to include a word count.

See any decent book on public relations for examples -- the "For Dummies" might be good.