RIP

I am in mourning tonight 

    The Rochelle News Leader published its last issue today, Aug. 6.

    After 50 years as a newspaper, time caught up with it.  

    Not enough subscribers, not enough advertisers,  too many costs......all of it too much to overcome.

    I know the paper was reeling....there was a 2 person editorial staff and a small staff of ad salespeople.

    I worked at the paper for 11 years back in the 70s.  I started as an intern in 1970 and left the paper in 1982 to become a teacher.

    Back then there was an editorial staff of 4 and an advertising staff of 5 or so.  

    It was not easy work.  Any one who works for a paper knows there will be night meetings, weekend events, people complaining, errors in stories.....and always the deadline.

    Back then the paper was printed  Tuesday and Thursday, and copy and pictures had to be in by 11 or so for pages to be finished and the presses run.   George ran a tight ship when it came to printing the paper.  He took a lot of pride, and Mylanta, in getting the paper out on time.

    A late meeting on Monday night could mean a scramble on Tuesday morning to get the story done, edited, sometimes proofed.  And if you needed clarification or more information?   If you didn't have it by press time, you were out of luck.  

    I was part of coverage of the Vagabond fire, a murder/suicide, several fatal traffic accidents and a host of feel good stories.

    The feel good stories were the best to write.

    I met a lot of people there too.  Renee, Vicki, Jean, Robin, Ken  and  many more that are no longer alive. 

    I felt then, and do now,  that a community newspaper is important.  

    But I also know the times have changed.  People get a lot of news from Facebook and the internet, which may not be the most accurate sources 

    And newspapers pay the price.

    RIP Rochelle News Leader.  You will be missed.

Peace and Love