A new Voice in local journalism
Patrick Haynes
Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News
After 154 years of service, the Macomb Journal will be replaced by a new paper to serve all of McDonough County, the McDonough County Voice.
The new paper will be formed by merging the two current local papers, the Macomb Journal and the Macomb Eagle. Both publications will be discontinued and the Voice will begin its circulation on Oct. 6, 2009. The paper will run five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. ?
"For the last year, Gateway Media has owned both papers, and we felt we should combine the talents of both staffs to make one superior paper," said Tom Prince, a spokesman for Gateway Media. ?
The former publishers of both the Eagle and the Journal, Lynne Campbell and Pam McDowell, will run the Voice.
The new paper will feature a lot of changes. The name, which replaces the Journal after over a century of circulation, was chosen in order to make a fresh start.
"When you have two papers, some people like one and some like the other. We felt it was time for a change, and we wanted a title that would ultimately provide McDonough County with the best service we can, which is the same goal for the paper," Prince said. ?
The Voice will also feature several changes to the overall layout, as well as changes to the topics covered.
"Obviously with a new paper there will be some stylistic changes, but there's also going to be changes to the coverage," Prince said. "There's an expanded feature and entertainment section, as well as more ability to cover local news as much as possible." ?
Prince feels that the paper will be well-received by the county as a whole. "I think this is something that the community definitely wants. I feel very confident once the product is out and people are used to it, they will be very pleased," Prince said. ?
Adam Sacasa, a Western Illinois University graduate and current staff writer for the Eagle, also believes the paper will be a success in the community. "I'm feeling pretty good about this. Previously, it was a lot of work having two papers run. With a town this size, I believe the one paper will prove to be stronger," Sacasa said. ?
Due to the merger of staffs from both papers, there will be more writers to cover a wide range of topics, ranging from the community to national news to entertainment. ?
"At the Eagle, we had two staff writers and a lot of correspondents, so we definitely gathered a lot of writers. We're all a little hesitant as it's definitely a big change, but I think everyone's adjusting," Sacasa said. ?
Current subscribers of one of the former papers have no need to worry, as their subscription will carry over to the Voice for the remainder of its period, and for subscribers to both publications, an extension to the Voice will be provided free of charge.
The new paper will be formed by merging the two current local papers, the Macomb Journal and the Macomb Eagle. Both publications will be discontinued and the Voice will begin its circulation on Oct. 6, 2009. The paper will run five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. ?
"For the last year, Gateway Media has owned both papers, and we felt we should combine the talents of both staffs to make one superior paper," said Tom Prince, a spokesman for Gateway Media. ?
The former publishers of both the Eagle and the Journal, Lynne Campbell and Pam McDowell, will run the Voice.
The new paper will feature a lot of changes. The name, which replaces the Journal after over a century of circulation, was chosen in order to make a fresh start.
"When you have two papers, some people like one and some like the other. We felt it was time for a change, and we wanted a title that would ultimately provide McDonough County with the best service we can, which is the same goal for the paper," Prince said. ?
The Voice will also feature several changes to the overall layout, as well as changes to the topics covered.
"Obviously with a new paper there will be some stylistic changes, but there's also going to be changes to the coverage," Prince said. "There's an expanded feature and entertainment section, as well as more ability to cover local news as much as possible." ?
Prince feels that the paper will be well-received by the county as a whole. "I think this is something that the community definitely wants. I feel very confident once the product is out and people are used to it, they will be very pleased," Prince said. ?
Adam Sacasa, a Western Illinois University graduate and current staff writer for the Eagle, also believes the paper will be a success in the community. "I'm feeling pretty good about this. Previously, it was a lot of work having two papers run. With a town this size, I believe the one paper will prove to be stronger," Sacasa said. ?
Due to the merger of staffs from both papers, there will be more writers to cover a wide range of topics, ranging from the community to national news to entertainment. ?
"At the Eagle, we had two staff writers and a lot of correspondents, so we definitely gathered a lot of writers. We're all a little hesitant as it's definitely a big change, but I think everyone's adjusting," Sacasa said. ?
Current subscribers of one of the former papers have no need to worry, as their subscription will carry over to the Voice for the remainder of its period, and for subscribers to both publications, an extension to the Voice will be provided free of charge.
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