The Nance County Journal has new owners as of Friday, Oct. 28. Purchasing the paper are Alan and Beth Sparrow of Stromsburg. The Sparrows are also owners of the Polk County News as of June 1, 2022.
The Journal has a history of publication of 144 years beginning in 1878. For the last 32 years Bill and Jan Thompson of Stromsburg have been owners of the Journal, having purchased it from Mary Ann and Clarence Hebda on February 1, 1990.
Bill’s first smell of printers ink as an eighth grader, back in 1954 at the Pawnee Republican, began a career spanning 68 years. Taking time out for military service, linotype school and some college, he has enjoyed the newspaper business ever since.
Included through the years was ownership of the Pawnee Republican in 1974, the Stromsburg Headlight, Osceola Record and Shelby Sun in 1983, and then the Nance County Journal in 1990.
The industry has changed immensely since the 1950’s and Henry Bigge, who worked for the Genoa Leader-Times, and then for many years at the Journal, started out hand-picking letters of type, melting lead and operating a linotype, like I did. Henry and I could go back to those years and put out a paper.
Those days are long gone and I am thankful for the people coming onto the scene who know computer technology.
Barb Micek, the present editor, is the lifeblood of the Journal. There have been numerous typesetters along the way, the latest of which were Ashley Knopik, who is with CVA, and Carla Wetovick.
My most satisfying memory of the business is seeing my employees excel. Added to this are people at the banks, businesses, those who work in ag-related occupations, and of course, all the faithful subscribers. You have made my job extremely enjoyable.
Now at age 82, I have sold the paper. My next duty will be picking up the news and delivering it from the press in Aurora to Fullerton. (In other words, a glorified paper boy.)
The Good Lord has blessed me with a good life, many years of which have been in business right here in Fullerton.