lindale news and times.jpg

From Staff Reports

LINDALE — After 124 years, the Lindale News & Times is closing its doors.

The newspaper, founded in 1900, made the announcement Thursday morning on its website, on the front page of its Thursday edition, and on its social media page.

“After 124 years, Farewell,” the headline reads. “Hometown newspaper closing doors.”

In the story, Lindale News & Times Publisher Jim Bardwell cited a lack of financial support as the reason for the closure.

Since its founding, the newspaper has aimed to provide the Lindale area with the current news about its school, city and county and civic events. Bardwell said throughout the newspaper’s tenure, it has shared news — good and bad.

“We have announced the happy news of births of generations of Lindale children and shared the sorrowful news of local men and women passings,” Bardwell writes. “For more than a century we have been the watchdog on your tax dollars – explaining where and why the city, school and county were spending your hard earned dollar.”

Bardwell reminds readers that traditional newspapers are not funded by tax dollars, grants or nonprofits.

“Many people seem to think we have a bottomless pot of money and our employees work for the fun of it,” he writes. “I assure you I do not have an endless supply of cash.”

The newspaper had two staff writers.

Bardwell emphasized the News & Times is a local small business, just “like our local restaurants and mom and pop retail stores.”

He acknowledged the newspaper’s only revenue was from advertising. At a rate of $35 per year, subscriptions only broke even. He also noted an increase in mailing costs.

Bardwell shut down his independent White Oak newspaper last year, as well. His late wife Suzanne saved the paper when its previous owners retired, but after five years of financial loss, he decided to call it quits there. He said White Oak coverage has been merged into the Gladewater Mirror newspaper, where he is owner and publisher.

“The reason for our closing in Lindale is simple – money,” Bardwell writes. “The advertising pie in the Lindale community only has so many slices and all we’ve seen are crumbs.”

Bardwell concludes it’s been a privilege for the news team to do their part in keeping Lindale residents informed, but they’ve been faced with an unfortunate “economic reality” to shut their doors.

The newspaper said readers can request a refund for the remaining balance on subscriptions. Email classifieds@lindalenews-times.com and include the name on the subscription, address and phone number.