“Local journalism is the chronicling our community’s history.”
That’s what we all were taught and that’s what we would all strive for in each interview, each story. The Devils Lake Journal Archives is filled with huge bound books of newspapers going back into the late 1800s. That was even before it was called the Devils Lake Daily Journal or as we affectionately call it now, the DLJ.
With few exceptions, each publisher, reporter, contributor and editor has had that philosophy in mind to one extent or another for the past 118 years and counting.
In the fall of 2022 a large banner appeared on the front of the DLJ building at 516 4th St. NE in Devils Lake. The building was for sale through a local realtor. At that time, no other information was provided on the future of the newspaper itself.
But there were questions: Was it closing? Who would own it? Who was going to run it?
Within a couple of days it was learned that local woman, Kathy Svidal, and her business partners at Champion Media had purchased the Journal and the Country Peddler from its owner Gannett. Svidal was publisher of the DLJ for over 35 years. Prior to that, she’d worked at the newspaper in various other positions.
The transition was to take place as of Nov. 1, 2022.
Svidal brought back Louise Oleson to be the editor and head writer of the paper; Patty Schwab stepped back into her role as receptionist and classified ad representative; and Kristi Olson came back to work part time in legal notices. They joined ad reps Deb Toso and Corey Halvorson, plus David Joramo and Todd Romine who had continued working at the Journal in various capacities all along.
Carol Arlien joined the staff to help with circulation on a part time basis, then came Noah Clooten, to be our photographer, Andrew Benjamin as general reporter and Joe “Mojo” Hill to be our sports reporter. Recently Jen Schwab joined us to learn how to do Patty’s and Carol’s jobs – in case they need a week off or a vacation or (heaven forbid) to retire eventually (like Patty).
Although there are only a few of us, now, we manage to put out a newspaper – a very local newspaper – twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, every week except Federal Holidays. We will be coming to our second anniversary of this reboot.
As you may have noticed, we have been advertising for help. We need another Sales Rep. Deb Toso does a heck of a job, but it is too much for one person. Plus, we would like to find someone who can learn how to do Louise’s job so she can retire someday, or at least take a week off now and then! Kathy is in the process of stepping back. She has sold her interest in the newspaper to her business partner but stays on as publisher at the Journal for the time being. She is looking to retire someday, too.
None of us want to see the Journal close its doors, so we stay and we work and we hope and, yes, some of us pray, that the right folks to help us continue this work are “out there” somewhere.
We love this community, as you all do, and we will keep doing our best for you as long as we can. We appreciate your support and help all along the way!