A local newspaper celebrates 150 years staying in business

The Okolona Messenger has been providing the news for 15 a long time

OKOLONA, Overlook. (WCBI)- Community newspapers are the lifeblood of their communities the editors, reporters and printers are generally a person and the same.

A lot of local community papers have fallen sufferer to the periods. Social media and a 24 hour news cycle have made it demanding to report the regional news, but, a single relatives has identified a way to continue to keep their business afloat, carrying on a 150 yr custom.

The Okolona Messenger has been offering the information for 15 a long time. In 1872 Frank Burkitt grew to become the editor and quickly soon after the owner of the Chickasaw Messenger. 22 years afterwards, he improved the name of the newspaper to the People’s Messenger then in 1900 Burkitt bought the paper to Steinberger and Sons who improved the name to the Okolona Messenger.

The newspaper improved fingers a few more occasions about the several years before landing in the lap of Sue Blankenship and her late partner Murry.

“New matters arrive and I am older and it can help to have youthful people that can enable out and have greater and far more recent suggestions,” mentioned Okolona Messenger editor Sue Blankenship.

Blankenship and her grandson Russ is the 4th technology of Blankenship to get the job done at the paper, and he is learning the household business.

“Just attempting to learn truly all that I can from it so if say she’s unwell or a little something then I’ll have the know how on how to operate it or to know it for potential employment or if I approach to do this,” claimed Blankenship.

Due to the fact using more than in 1983 Sue Blankenship reported there’s been a great deal of improvements.

“We have experienced to struggle coming from a manual typewriter to an electrical typewriter, to a personal computer. We have a new system to mail out the paper, the labels there’s a ton far more involved than you feel for finding and increase,” claimed Blankenship.

Via all the issues, Blankenship claimed it is been really worth it. The news paper is sent weekly in Okolona, but that will not be it is only prevent any more.

“We are increasing into all of Chickasaw County mainly because we are the only newspaper in Chickasaw County now,” said Blankenship.

Russ Blankenship is only 16, but said he would love to hold his family’s tradition likely in the future.