The Clifton Record, Meridian Tribune merging next week

The Clifton Record, Meridian Tribune merging next week Staff Reports The Clifton Record Wed, 06/26/2024 - 06:07 Image

• Based on a concept by former editor/publisher W. Leon Smith, the new masthead of the Bosque County Record-Tribune will be featured on the front page of the issue of this newspaper on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Graphic By Bosque County Publishing LLP

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The edition of The Clifton Record or Meridian Tribune that you hold in your hand is the last edition you will receive. Instead, as of next week, readers will have access to a county-wide newspaper, the Bosque County Record-Tribune, a website updated more frequently, as well as an email newsletter, and daily Facebook updates, special sections, and the Bosque River Run magazine.

The new version of the combined newspaper actually harkens back to 1989 when then-owner and publisher of The Clifton Record, W. Leon Smith, started a countywide publication.

The intent is to reach readers quicker, more frequently and still provide thorough local news in the new version of Bosque County Record-Tribune. The last few years have been challenging for all newspapers everywhere. After much discussion, thought and planning, we decided to communicate better through our website, an e-edition, email newsletters and Facebook as well as the weekly printed Record-Tribune. This change in strategy allows us to connect with readers sooner and more often, plus deliver a combined newspaper that delivers thorough coverage of the entire county. Our advertisers will also have access to more readers than ever before. And, it allows us a chance to resurrect and protect a little Bosque County history, too.

Community newspapers all over Texas and the country have moved to similar models in an effort to remain the most viable news source for the communities they serve and also withstand the multitude of financial challenges they have faced and continue to face. Papers that have been too slow to adapt or were unwilling to change have closed their doors, leaving “news deserts” across America, especially in rural areas.

We are more determined than ever to continue to offer our readers unbiased, ethical journalism for many years to come. Along with that, we will now have more and better products to help local businesses reach their current and new customers.

For questions or concerns, please email the publisher at publisher@cliftonrecord.com.