I moved to the Wood River Valley 29 years ago this week to manage the Wood River Journal's advertising department. I had just recently celebrated my 23rd birthday. Six years later I and a group of local business people and employees acquired the Journal. I became its president and publisher.
I have great memories of the many talented people who gave their energy and effort to make the Journal a top-notch newspaper. We moved paper day to Wednesday. Those were the days when the entire town spent the morning reading the paper to catch up on their community. I have great admiration for the many staffers who gave their time and talent to keep the Wood River Valley a two-newspaper town.
I am saddened to see the Journal close. I understand that 127 years of history cannot keep up with new technology. But the fabric of our lives that can only be recorded and kept for history to judge is best done in newsprint as a historical record.
My last editorial said that the local newspaper is the eyes, ears and soul of the community. We record the births, education, important events like marriages and even deaths of the subscribers. The Wood River Journal was the soul of the community for 127 years. For eight years I got to guide it and for that I am proud of my friends who were also my partners and staff.
Best of wishes and luck to the Idaho Mountain Express as they continue to guide the newspaper into an uncertain future.
Clint Stennett
Ketchum
