By: C.G. Wallace, Associated Press Writer (AP) A weekly newspaper has started using the name of its struggling rival, which hasn't yet ceased publication.
The July 12 edition of
The Nicholas Countian featured the words "and
The Carlisle Mercury" in smaller type on its banner.
The Nicholas Countian Inc. applied for the
Carlisle Mercury name after discovering that its rival's registration had expired in 1991 and not been renewed. It filed the name with the secretary of state June 27.
"We had always wanted the name
The Carlisle Mercury because it's been a part of life here since 1867," said William Crawford, publisher of the free
Nicholas Countian.
Jack McNeely, publisher of the
Mercury, said he plans to respond to the move in the
Mercury's next edition. Its final issue will be July 25, and Crawford said he did not ask the weekly to stop using the name before then.
"My only interest is in preserving a name that's been a part of Nicholas County life for years," he said.
The
Mercury closed its news office last summer and operates at the
Morehead News office. Both belong to Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.
The
Mercury, which has about 55 subscribers, has struggled financially for some time, McNeely said.
"We've done everything that we could have done in the last three years to save [the]
Carlisle," McNeely said. "It is the 10th-oldest paper in the state. It's unfortunate it's come to this. It's hard to compete with a paper that's mailed out for free."
Crawford said the change was prompted by a similar situation involving another Kentucky newspaper.
In that case,
The Mountain Citizen inadvertently allowed incorporation papers to lapse. Attorney John R. Triplett, who had been the subject of critical reporting by the paper, filed to claim the name for himself in May. The move has been challenged in court by the paper's publisher.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here