EVT CLOSING AT THE END OF THE YEAR

The East Valley Tribune had tried slashing staff and even cutting publication to three days a week, but was finally forced to give up, the paper’s publisher told staffers today, according to Heat City.

The paper is owned by the Freedom chain, based in Orange County, California, which is in bankruptcy.

The closing makes the Tribune the second Arizona newspaper to shutter this year. In May, the state’s oldest newspaper, the Tucson Citizen, was shut down by its owner, Gannett. The Citizen has since become a local blogging website for the media chain.
“This is probably the most difficult decision a company can make,” Freedom CEO Burl Osborne said in a news release. “But ultimately, after considering all available options, this is the best alternative for our company.” LINK: Nick Martin Heat City

The paper won a Pulitzer Prize this year for its lacerating series on Joe Arpaio, “Reasonable Doubt.”