After more than 145 years of serving its community, Hope Star will publish its final issue Friday, Sept. 14, according to a Facebook post.
GateHouse Media LLC, which owns Hope Star, will also close two of its other Southwest Arkansas newspapers: Nevada County Picayune and the Arkadelphia Siftings Herald.
The Nevada County Picayune will publish its last edition next week on Wednesday while the Arkadelphia Siftings Herald ceases publication the same day as Hope Star, on Friday, Sept. 14.
Company officials had no comment Wednesday except for the Facebook posts.
Hope Mayor Steve Montgomery wants to revive the Hope Star.
"As mayor, I am reaching out to whomever I can to see if someone could fill the void that will be left behind with either a weekly or bi-weekly physical paper," Montgomery said.
"Hope does have adequate advertisers that supported our paper, as well as some dedicated local folks that work in the office and advertising department," he said.
Former Hope Star Editor Ken McLemore described the closure as "heartbreaking."
McLemore worked as a reporter, assistant editor and then 10 years as editor.
"I worked for the Hope Star about 20 years," he said.
"I'm heartbroken by the closure. It seems to be the way of the industry. Local community newspapers are desperately needed in a community this size," McLemore said.
"Newspapers in communities this size perform a service. They're a source of record in the community. It has news stories, legal columns and government proceedings. It's a gatekeeper function and reflects all aspects of a community from news, sports, honor rolls, weddings and funerals," he said.
McLemore is the Hope School District communication director.
The Arkansas Press Association's 2018 Media Directory lists the following information for the three publications and the respective towns.
Hope Star publishes Wednesdays and Fridays and has a 12-month average paid circulation of 930. Hope has a population of 9,892.
Arkadelphia Siftings Herald publishes on Wednesdays and Fridays and has a 12-month average paid circulation of 1,298. Arkadelphia has a population of 10,793.
Nevada County Picayune publishes on Wednesdays and has a 12-month average paid circulation of 412. Prescott has a population of 3,073.
Subscribers to the three affected publications will receive refunds within 30 days for the balance of their subscriptions, according to the Facebook posts.