The Hillsboro Argus

Infobox Newspaper
name = The Hillsboro Argus


type = Bi-weekly newspaper
format = Broadsheet
foundation = 1873
ceased publication =
price = $0.50
owners = Advance Publications
publisher = W. Clark Gallagher
editor = Gary Stutzman
circulation = 9,532
headquarters = 150 SE Third Avenue
Hillsboro, OR
USA
ISSN =
website = [http://www.hillsboroargus.com/ hillsboroargus.com]

"The Hillsboro Argus" is the twice weekly newspaper for the city of Hillsboro, Oregon. Published on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Argus has a circulation of 9,532 copies distributed in Washington County, Oregon, United States. First published in 1873, the award-winning paper was owned by the McKinney family for more than 90 years when it was sold to Advance Publications in 1999.

History

The "Argus" newspaper traces its history back to 1873. [http://www.orenews.com/cgi-bin/internal/database/directory/showGMpage.cgi?MemberID=34 Hillsboro Argus.] Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Retrieved on February 29 2008.] In 1873, the "Forest Grove Independent" newspaper was founded as the first newspaper in Washington County, Oregon.Turnbull, George Stanley. "History of Oregon Newspapers". Binfords & Mort: Portland, Or. (1939). pp. 212-218.] By December the paper had moved to Hillsboro and named itself the "Washington Independent". Albert E. Tozier owned the paper with a partner from 1885 to 1887.County journalism dates back to 1848. "The Hillsboro Argus", October 19 1976.] In March 1894, R. H. Mitchell and C. W. Clow founded a new paper in Hillsboro, the Argus. On March 28 1894, the first "Hillsboro Argus" was printed which included a front page advertisement for Hillsboro lawyer and later Congressman Thomas H. Tongue.Communications (100th anniversary of Hillsboro edition). "Hillsboro Argus", October 19 1976.] Other news of the day concerned a battle over the county seat of Lincoln County, Oregon. At that time it was a weekly paper of only six pages and was located on Second Street between Main and Washington streets.

In the early years of the "Argus", ownership changed hands often, with Mrs. Emma C. McKinney acquiring a half interest in the newspaper in 1904. McKinney’s son W. Verne McKinney would join the paper in 1923. In November of that year, the size of the paper began to grow beyond the six pages that had included two pages of wire-report news known as boilerplate. Next, in January 1932, the "Argus" purchased the "Independent" from S.C. Killen and merged the two papers. The "Argus" won accolades from the National Editorial Association in 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, and 1939 for various topics ranging from production to general excellence to editorials. In 1940, it was selected as t best weekly newspaper in the United States for its size by the National Editorial Association.

The "Argus" remained as a weekly publication until November 1 1953, when it became a twice-weekly newspaper. From 1917 to 1955 the paper was located on Main Street in Hillsboro between Second and Third streets. In 1955 it moved to its current home on Third Street between Main and Washington. The Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association awarded the paper the award for best sports coverage in 1988. [Oregon papers collect awards. "The Oregonian", July 23 1988.] In 1989, they were selected as the best non-daily newspaper in the United States for papers with a circulation in excess of 10,000 by the National Newspaper Association.

In October 1999, the "Argus" was sold by the McKinney family to Advance Publications, Inc. after the family had held ownership interests in the paper since 1904 and had been sole owners since 1909.Hamilton, Don. Hillsboro Argus newspaper sold to Advance Publications. "The Oregonian", October 29 1999.] Advance also owns the region's daily newspaper, "The Oregonian". The two papers' operations are completely separate, and the newspapers compete for stories and advertising revenue.

As of 2003 the paper had a total weekly circulation of 15,000 copies. [Gottlieb, Jane. Picture This: The Photo Column Finds a Place. "Columbia Journalism Review", March 2003.] In 2007, the paper won first place from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association for best use of a small space for an advertisement and second place for best black and white ad. [ [http://www.orenews.com/Contests/2007/baic/07BAICwinnersXppr.pdf 2007 Best Ad Ideas Contest winners.] Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

The newspaper's staff also compiles the "Hillsboro Argus Courier-Mail". This newspaper is mailed for free to 41,000 homes across Washington County on Tuesdays and contains partial articles from the prior week's editions of the paid edition of the "Argus".

Editors

L.A. Long, father of judge Donald E. Long, was editor of the newspaper from 1894 to 1907 and again from 1909 to 1923. Long-time editors Emma McKinney and W. Verne McKinney were both inducted into the Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1981. In 2002, Walter McKinney was also inducted to the hall of fame. [ [http://duckhenge.uoregon.edu/hparchive/display.php?q=7.14.05-Newspaper.html Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame.] University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Retrieved on February 29 2008.] The National Newspaper Association presents an annual award, the Emma C. McKinney Memorial Award, honoring her 58 years of work in the newspaper business and her place as dean of Oregon newspaper people. [ [http://www.nna.org/Contests/Amos&McKinney.htm Amos & McKinney Award.] National Newspaper Association. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

Former Chicago-area sports columnist Gary Stutzman has been the Managing Editor since 2000.

Coverage

The Argus covers western Washington County, primarily focusing on Hillsboro, North Plains, Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Aloha. Areas east of 185th Avenue generally are not covered. The paper's staff covers sports, politics, business, and local events. [ [http://www.portlandoregonnewspapers.com/ Portland Oregon Newspapers.] Portland Oregon NewsPapers.com. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://olive-1.live.advance.net/mediakit/aboutus.html OregonLive.com: About Us]