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Longmeadow News, Enfield Press Shutting Down

The front page of a recent editon of the Longmeadow News
Longmeadow News
The front page of a recent editon of the Longmeadow News

Two weekly newspapers in Massachusetts and Connecticut, are ceasing publication this month.

Reminder Publications owns both the Longmeadow News and Enfield Press. Managing Editor Mike Dobbs said the papers didn't have enough subscribers to keep them viable.

"It was very low, under a thousand," Dobbs said of each paper's circulation. "And honestly, in this day and age, between printing costs and production costs and mailing costs, it had to be far greater."

Dobbs said one of Reminder's free weekly papers based in East Longmeadow has reported on Longmeadow for years, and will increase its coverage of Enfield as well.

"We're going to be boosting the Enfield content in our East Longmeadow edition, and certainly we will carry over anything from the Longmeadow News that we think we are lacking in that edition as well," Dobbs said.

Officials in both towns said losing the papers will be a hit to their communities. Enfield Mayor Michael Ludwick said he understands the newspaper business has been struggling overall.

"Those are tough decisions they have to make, but, you know, unfortunately it affects our community," Ludwick said.

Longmeadow Town Manager Lyn Simmons said it is "an unfortunate time" to lose a source of reliable journalism.

"The coverage of local government, community events, and human interest stories was at an unmatched level to larger media outlets," Simmons said in a statement. "They were an asset to Longmeadow town government in helping get the word out on major initiatives or changes that may have an impact on everyday life."

Reminder Publications acquired the Longeadow News and Enfield Presswhen it purchased the Westfield News Group last year. Reminder is a subsidiary of The Republican

The discontinued papers will be published for the final time on February 20th.

Adam joined NEPM as a freelance reporter and fill-in operations assistant during the summer of 2011. For more than 15 years, Adam has had a number stops throughout his broadcast career, including as a news reporter and anchor, sports host and play-by-play announcer as well as a producer and technician.
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