Editor's note: This post was changed from the original to put "Part One" on to the main photo because this is the first part of a short series.
The news of The Derrick and The News-Herald ceasing operation on March 20 felt like a pipe to the knees.
Even though I was laid off as part of the 2020 COVID cutbacks, I love those newspapers.
The Derrick Publishing Company also announced they are closing the Clarion News, leaving a swath of newsprint destruction along the 322 corridor in northwest Pennsylvania.
Normally I would’ve taken to my keyboard and write out my thoughts immediately, but when exploreVenango broke the news on February 5 I was quite literally dumbfounded. For years, I’ve told colleagues The Derrick would be the last one standing. The 155-year-old newspaper is family-owned, appeared from a distance to be financially stable still with a fair number of employees for its size.
Then BLAMMO.
After an attempt to sell to another newspaper group fell through, the Boyle family, who owned The Derrick for generations decided to shut down the whole operation leaving a print news hole in their wake.
Even though I was laid off as part of the 2020 COVID cutbacks, I love those newspapers.
The Derrick Publishing Company also announced they are closing the Clarion News, leaving a swath of newsprint destruction along the 322 corridor in northwest Pennsylvania.
Normally I would’ve taken to my keyboard and write out my thoughts immediately, but when exploreVenango broke the news on February 5 I was quite literally dumbfounded. For years, I’ve told colleagues The Derrick would be the last one standing. The 155-year-old newspaper is family-owned, appeared from a distance to be financially stable still with a fair number of employees for its size.
Then BLAMMO.
After an attempt to sell to another newspaper group fell through, the Boyle family, who owned The Derrick for generations decided to shut down the whole operation leaving a print news hole in their wake.
| Does that mean print journalism dead in Venango County? There has been no word from the Sample Media Group, a family-owned business that runs The Corry Journal and dozens of other papers predominately along the east coast. When The Titusville Herald closed in 2022, they quickly started the weekly paper the Titusville News-Journal. The Meadville Tribune, owned by Community Newspapers Holdings Inc. (CNHI), has expressed interest in expanding into the county. The five day a week paper will be advertising for subscribers soon, but has not formerly announced a strategy of how they will cover the territory. |  Editors note: Eight & 322 owner Richard Sayer is a former employee of The Derrick Publishing Company. He is currently producing content for the Titusville News-Journal and frequently works with many of those mentioned in this column. |
Those living in the Emlenton area can continue to rely on The Progress news for a weekly print product. But as of March 21 that may be they only print newspaper left
But does that mean journalism dead in Venango County?
No.
And it truly cannot be. Without independent journalism, communities run the risk of charismatic “leaders” running amuck with unchecked deception and personal agendas.
Journalists, as several have pointed out recently, are the eyes and ears of the community and the first line of defense against corruption. Covering city hall, school districts, water authority and even the local sports boosters are all important in maintaining the public trust. Journalists get both the good and the bad information out there to all who should know what is going on. Keeping people aware. Keeping people honest.
Humans tend to take advantage of no one watching. Sadly, it is a cultural reality that permeates across classes. It’s sad but it is absolutely a reality.
Journalists are there to watch over things most people take for granted or don’t have time to investigate. And good journalists have checks and balances to maintain independence from outside pressures and decrease susceptibility for corruption among themselves.
Venango and Clarion Counties have had multiple watchdogs over the years, some online start ups and a few short lived newspapers.
The online news outlet exploreVenango, founded in 2010 by Jake Bauer and Joanne Bauer as part of The Explore Your Town group has had some sustainability and growth. Soon after they broke the story of The Derrick closing they immediately tried to assure area residents there is still a watchdog on the job. Since the announcement, they’ve announced openings for advertising representatives and reporters in their organization.
“Everything in business is a calculated risk, but this expansion is backed by a foundation we’ve been building for over 15 years,” said Jake Bauer. “While we’ve been slowly expanding in Venango County for a while, we decided that going into 2026, a strategy to focus even more on Venango was the smart move.”
By expanding coverage, Bauer expects his business to increase value to advertisers and readers. He admits these types of plans take time but pointed to his 15 years of experience in the area which allows exploreVenango to hit the ground running in adding more local content. He said additional sports and meeting coverage has already started.
But does that mean journalism dead in Venango County?
No.
And it truly cannot be. Without independent journalism, communities run the risk of charismatic “leaders” running amuck with unchecked deception and personal agendas.
Journalists, as several have pointed out recently, are the eyes and ears of the community and the first line of defense against corruption. Covering city hall, school districts, water authority and even the local sports boosters are all important in maintaining the public trust. Journalists get both the good and the bad information out there to all who should know what is going on. Keeping people aware. Keeping people honest.
Humans tend to take advantage of no one watching. Sadly, it is a cultural reality that permeates across classes. It’s sad but it is absolutely a reality.
Journalists are there to watch over things most people take for granted or don’t have time to investigate. And good journalists have checks and balances to maintain independence from outside pressures and decrease susceptibility for corruption among themselves.
Venango and Clarion Counties have had multiple watchdogs over the years, some online start ups and a few short lived newspapers.
The online news outlet exploreVenango, founded in 2010 by Jake Bauer and Joanne Bauer as part of The Explore Your Town group has had some sustainability and growth. Soon after they broke the story of The Derrick closing they immediately tried to assure area residents there is still a watchdog on the job. Since the announcement, they’ve announced openings for advertising representatives and reporters in their organization.
“Everything in business is a calculated risk, but this expansion is backed by a foundation we’ve been building for over 15 years,” said Jake Bauer. “While we’ve been slowly expanding in Venango County for a while, we decided that going into 2026, a strategy to focus even more on Venango was the smart move.”
By expanding coverage, Bauer expects his business to increase value to advertisers and readers. He admits these types of plans take time but pointed to his 15 years of experience in the area which allows exploreVenango to hit the ground running in adding more local content. He said additional sports and meeting coverage has already started.
Since announcing the closure below the fold on February 6, several Derrick newsroom staff members posted on social media they might not be done.
Then late last week The Derrick put out a top-of-the-page story that several employees and the publisher Paul Hess are working with the Oil Region Alliance to keep reporting on Venango County. Listed were six newsroom staffers along with Hess. No mention of other support staff or advertising sales reps, but they stated many details are to being worked out.
The article stated that they will continue as TheDerrick.com starting March 21. They will work out of the same location until they move to the ORA’s Venango Campus just up the street.
On the surface, it is great news. They will continue delivering news that effects the residents of Venango County. In the February 20 article, Hess stated, “This keeps a credible, verifiable online news source available in this area partnering with a forward thinking organization like the ORA. I truly believe this is a win-win situation.”
One line included in the article said, “ORA President and CEO John Phillips and Vice President Debbie Sobina said they and their ORA staff are dedicated to assuring the Oil Region’s only reliable source of news will be serving the community for a long time to come.”
Later that same day exploreVenango unveiled plans to start offering a membership plan that provides readers with a digital “printable” product that complies the news of the day into one space and eliminates national ads. The membership fee and the look of the daily product that will be on their website are to be announced soon, Bauer said.
To summarize –The Derrick Publishing Company announced the impending closure of three papers, Explore Your Town followed by promising to expand its online coverage of the area, employees at The Derrick newspaper announced they will be continuing on as TheDerrick.com in collaboration with the ORA, and Explore Your Town nearly simultaneously introduced the expansion of its website to include the addition of a membership option that provides a printable product while still keeping the majority of its content free.
Put another way – the company known for their print products will move forward as an online platform under a non-profit umbrella and the company known for its free news site will now be offering a pay-for-news option.
Does that clear everything up?
February has brought us a lot of news about the news.
Two’s Company, Three (or More) is a Journalism Pool
Everyone adapting and moving forward sounds good and Bauer appears to agree. In an article about TheDerrick.com published by exploreVenango on February 23, he said, “Competition breeds excellence, and at the end the day, the Oil Region is the winner when there are multiple sets of eyes on local government and community events… Having two reliable news sources makes our community stronger, more transparent, and better informed.”
Before wrapping up this column, it might be fair to address the claims of one outlet being the “only reliable” source of information in the Oil Region and another pointing out that there are “two reliable news sources.”
Without diving into the debate of the what reliable journalism is or is not, it is worth acknowledging in the Oil Region, which includes all of Venango County as well as the Titusville area in Crawford County, there are several news outlets and information distributors. We’ve mentioned in length The Derrick Publishing Company and The Explore Your Town group. Discussed earlier as well is The Titusville News-Journal weekly, the daily Meadville Tribune and the weekly Progress News.
Your Daily Local out of Warren covers a lot of the region, particularly District 9 and 10 sports. Stream TV broadcasts the Morning Drill and streams area sports and the occasional event. There area has seen a bump in TV coverage out of Erie as of late. There are still radio stations on the FM and AM dials, believe it or not. And yes even Eight & 322 is around covering topics, thought on an admittedly part-time basis.
I appreciate all the variety of outlets available. In fact, I do freelance work for many of the media listed above.
The world is in a constant state of change. The delivery of news must change along with it. It is my hope that everyone changes in ways that are ethical, strengthen the community through access to information, and solidify the important role of responsible journalism.
It is, after-all, up to us.
Editors note: Eight & 322 owner Richard Sayer is a former employee of The Derrick Publishing Company. He is currently producing content for the Titusville News-Journal and frequently works with many of those mentioned in this column.
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