Wednesday, May. 11, 2011
LIGHTS OUT.
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By Allen Edmonds, The Star Herald
This, as they say, is a wrap.
Issue No. 1 of Volume 120, as it turns out, is the final chapter of an epic that began in 1892 when R.J. McNutt began what was then an upstart competitor to the Cass County Leader.
Dubbed the Belton Herald, it soon became the town’s only newspaper, and through a string of owners and locations along Main Street, it has documented and celebrated the development of Northwest Cass County for more than a century.
On Monday, May 2, an all-too common newsroom scene was replayed at The Star Herald. Publisher John Beaudoin announced that the newspaper would be closed.
The announcement caused immediate shock waves throughout the community. “This is a city’s main source of communication – it’s newspaper,” said Art Ruiz, president of the Belton Corporation for Economic Development. “This is just so devastating. We’ve lost that. I think everyone looks forward to Thursdays so they can read about themselves, and it’s a part of the history of Belton. It’s a part of the life of Belton. It’s what added to our charisma as a community.”
Belton Mayor Jimmy Odom was equally disturbed at the announcement. “This is a lot of our history we’re losing,” he said this week. “It’s just very sad. This community needs a newspaper, and hopefully we’ll see one back here soon.”
Beaudoin told readers in a column last week that today’s economy – especially in the media world – had everything to do with the decision. “I am sure many of you know of and have experienced firsthand the hardships that have come crashing down on all of over the last few years,” he said.
For many readers, consolation was difficult to come by. “This is a sad, sad day for Belton,” Blaine Elliott wrote on the newspaper’s Facebook page. “This is a great loss for our community,” wrote Melody Phillips-Mulkey.
For Deborah Ray Smith, The Star Herald was “how everyone knew what was going on locally, especially for those of us that do not live there.” Wanda Carey wrote about the newspaper’s involvement with nearly every aspect of her life growing up. The Star Herald “chronicled my family’s life growing up in Belton: school supplies, activities, Girl and Boy Scout adventures, honor roll, football games, police reports, graduation announcements, engagements, wedding pictures, birth announcements, children’s accomplishments . . . I grew up in that paper.”
Ruiz said Tuesday that the newspaper plays a very specific role in economic development. “It has come into play quite a bit. A lot of times when we have a grand opening, I clip out the article in The Star Herald and send it to the company representatives along with a note, and the corporations would appreciate it. They thought it was a very classy way to welcome them to the community.”
The newspaper’s offices will remain open through Friday.
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News coverage of Belton and northwest Cass County will not cease with the last issue of The Star Herald, according to Publisher John Beaudoin.
He announced last week that the Cass County Democrat Missourian will now become the county’s newspaper, and will cover events and happenings in Belton, Raymore and Peculiar just as it has Harrisonville and southern Cass County for years. “While The Star Herald is closing its doors, our commitment to coverage of the Belton community will remain. “As the newspaper of record for many decades, The Star Herald covered the issues of the day and added a necessary voice to the community.
Going forward, as we continue to chronicle Belton’s progress, we will stay focused on that mission.”
Meanwhile, the newspaper office at 419 Main in Belton will remain open through the remainder of the week. Subscriptions will be transferred to the Cass County Democrat Missourian, and subscribers will begin receiving the county paper soon.
In addition, subscribers will soon receive a letter in the mail detailing the plan to transfer subscriptions, but offering the opportunity to receive a refund for the remaining subscription amount should they not wish to continue with the county newspaper.
Those that do wish to continue, will also continue to receive the Sunday Kansas City Star. For more information, call The Star Herald at 816-331-5353 through Friday, or the Democrat Missourian at 816-380-3228 beginning next week.
