The Peoria Times-Observer, formerly known as simply “The Observer,” will no longer be published after next month, the weekly paper announced today:
The April 28 edition of the Peoria Times-Observer will be the final edition of the newspaper, which is delivered free of charge to homes in North Peoria and Dunlap.
Citing the changing media landscape, TimesNewspapers’ publisher Linda Smith Brown announced the publication’s cessation.
I think we all knew that the Times-Observer’s days were numbered as soon as GateHouse Media bought them. If not then, then certainly after they consolidated their offices into the Journal Star building. Seriously, there was no reason to have two separate papers covering Peoria when they’re both owned by the same company. That’s not exactly what you’d call competition.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that a new newspaper will be started in Woodford County. It will be called Woodford Times and be produced by DeWayne Bartels and Tom Batters, so neither of them will be out of work due to the Times-Observer ceasing publication.
Does this mean the “to hell with the Journal Star lets start our own newspaper” project can move forward now?
Yes! That is exactly what that means!
Good. Now I won’t have to pick up those unwanted papers in a bag they throw in my yard and driveway.
Joe, the Times Observer is not what is thrown in your driveway once a week. That is an ad paper from the JS.