The Westport News has moved from its Norwalk office to Fairfield and will be published from the office of the sister Hearst Corp. weekly newspaper the Fairfield Citizen, a source at the newspaper said today. Callers to the Westport News number in Norwalk today were told to call Fairfield.
Hearst announced Friday the elimination of 44 jobs at its Connecticut newspapers and among those affected were Will Rowlands, Westport News editor since 2004, and Carol King, Lifestyle Editor, the source said. (See WestportNow April 24, 2009)
The company said it plans to eliminate another 80 positions within three months as part of a consolidation and cost-cutting effort.
Also leaving Hearst was Patricia Hines, the 23-year editor of the Fairfield Citizen. Taking over as editor is Frances Moore, a Fairfield resident and a graduate of Sacred Heart University who will also oversee the Westport News, the source said.
Moore served for a while as managing editor of the Westport News, a position now held by Gary Jeanfaivre, who remains with the newspaper, the source said.
Also remaining at the Westport News are Eliot Schickle, sports editor, and reporter Anthony Karge, according to the source.
Employees at the Westport News, which publishes on Wednesdays and Fridays, were among those sent letters in December 2008 by Hearst warning of job cuts in the first quarter of 2009. (See WestportNow Dec. 19, 2008)
In an earlier cost-cutting move, the Westport News shut its Westport office last summer and moved into the offices of its corporate owner just over the town line in Norwalk. (See WestportNow June 27, 2008)
—Dave Matlow contributed reporting for this story.
Great the “Westport News” published by the Bridgeport Post in Fairfield, CT Thank God for Westport Now and Woogs 06880 My Westport News subscription lapsed in January…. RIP
Now that it has moved completely out of the community how can it remain a local newspaper? Along with its new undesirable layout, the paper is beginning to lose its credibility. We will certainly miss Will Rowlands and Carole King. Both offered so much to the paper. Should we continue to subscribe?
A. Beasley, M.D.
With this change, we lose 2 things: A second, “unbiased eye” on our political and community scene with what should always be fair and even handed reporting. And an outlet for public speech, in letters to the editor.
We can only hope that being based in Bridgeport will not stop them from covering our town properly and fully. Let’s hope they can pull it off.
I’d like to thank Al Beasly for his kind words about me. They are very much appreciated.