Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Missouri Press News Notebook

January 2025 Notebook

Scrapbook and On the Move

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Sweet Springs — In late December, the Herald marked its 150th anniversary with a celebration in downtown Sweet Springs. Community members attending the event shared the stories the newspaper had covered that were important to them, browsed past issues from throughout the newspaper’s 150 years in bound copies and capped everything off with a toast to the newspaper’s legacy.
Herald Publisher Kathy Dohrman told those attending she is grateful for the community’s continued support of the newspaper. “This celebration isn’t just about the history of The Herald, it’s about the people of Sweet Springs and the role this newspaper has played in connecting, informing and uniting us.
“A local paper like ours is the heartbeat of a small town, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see so many people here tonight who value what we do.”

Troy — Lakeway Publishers announced in early December it had sold its Missouri newspapers to CherryRoad Media, effective Jan. 1. The sale included the Lincoln County Journal, Troy Free Press, Elsberry Democrat, Centralia Fireside Guard, Hermann Advertiser Courier, The Lake Gazette in Monroe City, Pike County News and Vandalia Leader.
A subsidiary of CherryRoad Technology, CherryRoad Media now operates more than 90 newspapers in 18 states. The family-owned, New Jersey-based business focuses on using technology to strengthen communities through their local newspapers.
“We are excited to be the new stewards of these community news outlets,” Jeremy Gulban, CEO of CherryRoad Media, said. “There is rich history within these communities, this region, and these newspapers have been an integral part of that history, have chronicled that history. We look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of these communities and carrying on the legacy of their newspapers.”
Lakeway is a family-owned media company with headquarters in Morristown, Tenn. The company also owns and operates community newspapers and magazines in Tennessee and Virginia.

Oregon — Bob Ripley announced last month he would be retiring and closing the Oregon Times Observer in Holt County, effective with the Thursday, Dec. 26, edition. Ripley operated the Times Observer with his mother, the late B.J. Ripley, until her retirement in 2011. They purchased it in May 1989 from Kent Ford, former editor for Missouri Press Association.
Bob Ripley worked in the newspaper business for 53 years, starting in June 1971 at the Holt County Sentinel, which would later be renamed the Times Observer after an ownership change. In June 1974, he started at the Mound City News-Independent under Roy Sims, making plates for print jobs, creating ads and gathering the week’s courthouse news.
Ripley, who lives in Oregon with his wife, Gina, will continue to check into his office following the newspaper’s closure and help readers transition to the Mound City News, which will be Holt County’s only newspaper. He will also take orders for some print jobs for Quad State Ink at Holt County Publishing.