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Vail Sun suspends publication
Newspaper falls victim to sagging economy
Thelma Grimes/Vail Sun
After nearly two years, the Vail Sun will suspend publication after today's edition.
A Wick Communications publication, the paper has covered everything from the local school district, local fire departments, Tucson Police Department and residents' widespread opposition to the proposed Rosemont Mine and important issues facing residents over the last two years.
Vail Sun Publisher Susan Perry said they had to suspend publication for the time being as all newspapers continue to struggle in the weak economy.
"It is heartfelt and unfortunate that we have to suspend a paper that is welcomed and loved by the community. The Vail Sun was a great source of information and we worked hard to deliver a great product every week. I would like to thank the staff of the Vail Sun for all their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank the community, advertisers and local businesses for all the support that we have received. I am hopeful that the economy will turn around and give us the chance to bring back the Vail Sun."
The Vail Sun is not the only struggling newspaper, as print media nationwide faces tough economic times. The Tucson Citizen will close its doors in April unless the paper is sold. The Arizona Daily Star has also made cuts to staff and in printing to make up for advertising losses.
When it comes to the Vail Sun, several community leaders said they are going to miss the publication.
Calvin Baker, superintendent of the Vail School District, said the Vail Sun has saved the district a lot of money because they were able to stop printing so many newsletters, knowing the community newspaper stayed on top of all education issues.
"The Vail Sun has done a fantastic job," Baker said. "They worked hard to get the word out to parents on education news and issues. This is a huge loss to our community."
Ray Carroll, of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 4, said it's unfortunate that community newspapers across the nation are becoming the victims to the bad economy.
"This is tragic when you consider all you have done for this community," Carroll said of the Vail Sun's closing. "It's just a disturbing trend in the news industry that local newspapers are stopping and it appears that the larger regional newspaper like the Citizen and the Star are on the same track. But small local newspapers are very valuable. They are the local eyes and ears to a community, I like being interviewed by them because I know I am talking directly to the people."
The Vail Sun was also active in covering the local high school sports' programs, which included Cienega, Empire and Vail high schools
Parent Tammie Crow said she came to rely heavily on the Vail Sun.
"The Vail Sun has been a local life-line for the Vail Community, she said. "The stories gave a pat on the back to the local people, schools and businesses, which are very important. I was always kept informed of issues relating to our community thanks to The Vail Sun. I looked forward to each week's paper to see what stories would be covered. I will miss the local sports coverage that Thelma Grimes provided. Thelma not only covered the stories, she truly learned to love and care for our children. She would take great pride in what they did just like they were her own children. I am saddened that we will no longer have the Vail Sun to rely on for our community."
Along with Grimes, reporter Adam Bernal worked diligently to cover school events and anything that came up. Bernal, who has been with the company for two years, covered Empire High School sports and many events happening throughout the Vail School District.
In its two years, Vail Sun staff members Ian Kirkwood received a first place honor for Excellence in Advertising and Grimes was named 2008 Arizona Journalist of the Year by the Arizona Newspaper Association, and was runner-up for the Arizona Press Club Community Journalist of the Year in 2007.
"I am going to miss writing stories in Vail where the people are always welcoming, cooperative and truly care about their community," Grimes said. "I am going to miss all the great people I have met over the last two years; it was an honor to serve the Vail community, if only for a short time."
For comments on this story please email vailsun@vailsun.com.
Notice to readers
When the Vail Sun resumes publication, it will be a fully paid subscription newspaper. If you would like to be on the list for a special new subscriber offer of $15 per year, please send an email with your name, address, contact phone and email to vailsun@vailsun.com or send a letter to Vail Sun, Subscription Offer, P.O. Box 746, Vail, Az. 85641.
Thelma Grimes/Vail Sun
After nearly two years, the Vail Sun will suspend publication after today's edition.
A Wick Communications publication, the paper has covered everything from the local school district, local fire departments, Tucson Police Department and residents' widespread opposition to the proposed Rosemont Mine and important issues facing residents over the last two years.
Vail Sun Publisher Susan Perry said they had to suspend publication for the time being as all newspapers continue to struggle in the weak economy.
"It is heartfelt and unfortunate that we have to suspend a paper that is welcomed and loved by the community. The Vail Sun was a great source of information and we worked hard to deliver a great product every week. I would like to thank the staff of the Vail Sun for all their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank the community, advertisers and local businesses for all the support that we have received. I am hopeful that the economy will turn around and give us the chance to bring back the Vail Sun."
The Vail Sun is not the only struggling newspaper, as print media nationwide faces tough economic times. The Tucson Citizen will close its doors in April unless the paper is sold. The Arizona Daily Star has also made cuts to staff and in printing to make up for advertising losses.
When it comes to the Vail Sun, several community leaders said they are going to miss the publication.
Calvin Baker, superintendent of the Vail School District, said the Vail Sun has saved the district a lot of money because they were able to stop printing so many newsletters, knowing the community newspaper stayed on top of all education issues.
"The Vail Sun has done a fantastic job," Baker said. "They worked hard to get the word out to parents on education news and issues. This is a huge loss to our community."
Ray Carroll, of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 4, said it's unfortunate that community newspapers across the nation are becoming the victims to the bad economy.
"This is tragic when you consider all you have done for this community," Carroll said of the Vail Sun's closing. "It's just a disturbing trend in the news industry that local newspapers are stopping and it appears that the larger regional newspaper like the Citizen and the Star are on the same track. But small local newspapers are very valuable. They are the local eyes and ears to a community, I like being interviewed by them because I know I am talking directly to the people."
The Vail Sun was also active in covering the local high school sports' programs, which included Cienega, Empire and Vail high schools
Parent Tammie Crow said she came to rely heavily on the Vail Sun.
"The Vail Sun has been a local life-line for the Vail Community, she said. "The stories gave a pat on the back to the local people, schools and businesses, which are very important. I was always kept informed of issues relating to our community thanks to The Vail Sun. I looked forward to each week's paper to see what stories would be covered. I will miss the local sports coverage that Thelma Grimes provided. Thelma not only covered the stories, she truly learned to love and care for our children. She would take great pride in what they did just like they were her own children. I am saddened that we will no longer have the Vail Sun to rely on for our community."
Along with Grimes, reporter Adam Bernal worked diligently to cover school events and anything that came up. Bernal, who has been with the company for two years, covered Empire High School sports and many events happening throughout the Vail School District.
In its two years, Vail Sun staff members Ian Kirkwood received a first place honor for Excellence in Advertising and Grimes was named 2008 Arizona Journalist of the Year by the Arizona Newspaper Association, and was runner-up for the Arizona Press Club Community Journalist of the Year in 2007.
"I am going to miss writing stories in Vail where the people are always welcoming, cooperative and truly care about their community," Grimes said. "I am going to miss all the great people I have met over the last two years; it was an honor to serve the Vail community, if only for a short time."
For comments on this story please email vailsun@vailsun.com.
Notice to readers
When the Vail Sun resumes publication, it will be a fully paid subscription newspaper. If you would like to be on the list for a special new subscriber offer of $15 per year, please send an email with your name, address, contact phone and email to vailsun@vailsun.com or send a letter to Vail Sun, Subscription Offer, P.O. Box 746, Vail, Az. 85641.
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