Corante Network contributor Dorian Benkoil notes a for-fee report called "Independent City Sites Gain Steam" he authored for Borrell Associates that's just been released. From Borrell's press release: "Hundreds of independent sites are elbowing in on territory that traditional local media have been trying to stake out for the past decade, but with a decidedly different model. These competitors shun local news, obituaries and classified ads, focusing almost exclusively on fun and interesting things to do around town... Many of these independent local sites are reporting revenues well into six figures, and some recently formed their own trade group, Associated Cities. A flurry of acquisitions has begun as well, including a $500,000 acquisition for a "City.com" URL, and a $12 million offer by a newspaper publisher for LasVegas.com..."