The Winchester Press ceases publication after 131 years

The Winchester Press, an Ottawa-area newspaper, will be closing down its print publication after publishing weekly for 131 years, according to reports.

The newspaper initially started rolling in 1888, with the publication covering a greater part of Ottawa, including Kemptville.

“I really want it known that the employees did not at all want it to end this way. A lot of us are ashamed that it ended this way. [We’re] not even being given the opportunity to print one last edition to say goodbye. It was just such an unceremonious end,” said Matthew Uhrig, the paper’s former editor.

The Winchester Press issued its last edition on New Year’s Day. No reason was given for its closure.

The paper announced the closure on social media and thanked its readers.

“It has been our privilege to document the many happenings throughout Dundas County and beyond. We were truly blessed to be welcomed into your places of business, homes, schools and hospitals to document life in our towns,” the post read.