The owner of the weekly newspapers in Newport and Lincoln City ended those publications this week and is combining them into a single paper called The Lincoln County Leader to debut Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The Lincoln County News Guard published its last edition Tuesday; the Newport News-Times its last edition Wednesday.
The new newspaper takes its name from The Lincoln County Leader, which was published in Toledo from 1893 to 1987. The Newport News-Times was founded in 1882, the Lincoln City News Guard in 1927.
In a story Wednesday, the News-Times said the new paper combines the staffs of the two papers owned by Country Media of Salem. Country Media already owned the Lincoln City paper and in September bought the newspapers in Newport, Florence and Cottage Grove from their Illinois-based owner.
Country Media also owns 10 other newspapers in western Oregon, including those in Cannon Beach, Tillamook, Manzanita, Coos Bay, Bandon, Brookings, Crescent City, Calif., St. Helens, Clatskanie and Dallas.
According to the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, the weekly circulation of the News-Times is 6,680 and the News Guard is 3,578.
In a story Wednesday about the change, the News-Times said “aside from the banner at the top of next week’s page A1, not a whole lot will change for News-Times readers” but promised “expanded coverage of the most pressing issues affecting residents and visitors alike …”
I will believe expanded coverage when I see it. The News-Ttmes is down two full reporting positions from a couple years ago and the new owner, known for skimpy news operations, appears unlikely to change the situation. Combining two understaffed newspapers into one understaffed newspaper isn’t an improvement.
The Yachats News has repeatedly reported important stories in this area before the News Times has. I’m a retired journalist and urge residents of the central Oregon coast to donate to the Yachats News if they want to get the best possible reporting in this area.
I was finally justified in my feelings about the homeless and the camping just like Portland and it’s depressing to say the least!!
Yachats News is the best! We appreciate the timeliness of the articles and their dedication to the Coast and issues we face together, Love the staff. Quinten, you’ve done a fabulous job creating Yachats News. Keep up the good work! I totally agree with Lee.