Sturgis Journal to shut its presses, cut fifteen jobs

STURGIS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A local newspaper is announcing that it will shut down the presses and send the paper's print work off-site.

The Sturgis Journal has a long history in the St. Joseph County town, but now there are changes, and layoffs, coming.

The Sturgis Journal prints more than 6,000 papers a day. Now that work will be done at a sister-site in Allegan.

“They've been here over 150 years,” said Cathi Garn Abbs, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce.

Like so many other newspapers around the country, the Sturgis Journal will consolidate print operations and will shut down their current press, which is nearly 40 years old.

The good news is that the paper will still be published and delivered six days a week, and the only difference readers should notice is improved print quality. Still, about fifteen people will be out of work.

“Every job is important, every job represents a family,” said Abbs, “so we certainly hate to hear that news.”

Local business leaders say that while the loss of jobs is tough, they are pleased to know their local paper isn't going away.

“I think it's a tradition we'll use and continue to use,' said Fiebig Jewelry owner Brad Rockey. “No two ways about it.”

The Sturgis Journal is part of Gatehouse Media Inc. After the job cuts, about 27 workers will remain at the paper.