Oregon Public Broadcasting

It’s been just a few weeks since one of Oregon’s local newspapers stopped production. But as April Baer reports, a local businessman says he’s starting a new paper to take its place.

Nelson Rosales and his wife Jennifer run the Rodeo Steakhouse in Junction City, on the north end of Lane County.

When the Tri-County News folded last month, Rosales says he felt a real void in the community.

He says he and his wife, along with one other investor have pulled together resources to start publishing a new paper, the Tri-County Tribune, beginning next Thursday.

Nelson Rosales “For instance, we'll focus on the jail, the hospital coming soon to our community. No international news, not much about Eugene unless it’s something really serious. Mainly, we’ll focus on our own community, local news.”

Rosales estimates the group can publish the paper for about $5000 per edition. It’ll be a free paper,  ad-supported. Donations for its cost will go to a local hunger charity.

While Rosales says it's a little frightening entering an industry that’s had such spectacular troubles nationwide, he’s confident a newspaper is something the community needs.