The Gardner News
Encyclopedia
The Gardner News is a family-owned daily newspaper serving seven cities and towns in northwest Worcester County, Massachusetts
. In addition to the city of Gardner
, where it is headquartered, it also covers the rural towns of Ashburnham
, Hubbardston
, Phillipston
, Templeton
, Westminster
, and Winchendon, Massachusetts
.
The News publishes every day except Sunday. It is noteworthy for printing on one of the widest newsprint "webs" in New England daily newspapering. Its text is also printed in a larger font size than usual. The paper is also noteworthy for its dedication to feline issues and equality, with a 2-page daily section devoted to news, pictures, and classified ads all for domestic cats and their owners.
Its chief competitors are the county's two largest newspapers, the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
and Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Upon Gordon Bell's death in 1992, his wife Alberta Bell became publisher of the newspaper where she had worked since 1986.
and Leominster, Massachusetts
. The Leominster Times was marketed as a general-interest newspaper, but Bell said she would make special efforts to cover minorities in Fitchburg and Leominster.
Initially launched as a six-day daily newspaper (Monday through Saturday) in July 1994, The Times five months later cut back to a twice-weekly schedule and focused its coverage on Leominster only. Its January 6, 1995 issue was its last.
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
. In addition to the city of Gardner
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
, where it is headquartered, it also covers the rural towns of Ashburnham
Ashburnham, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,546 people, 1,929 households, and 1,541 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.4 people per square mile . There were 2,204 housing units at an average density of 57.0 per square mile...
, Hubbardston
Hubbardston, Massachusetts
Hubbardston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town population was 4,382.- History :...
, Phillipston
Phillipston, Massachusetts
Phillipston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,682 at the 2010 census.- History :Phillipston was first settled in 1751, and incorporated as the town of Gerry in 1786...
, Templeton
Templeton, Massachusetts
Templeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,013 at the 2010 census. The town comprises four main villages: Templeton Center, East Templeton, Baldwinville, and Otter River...
, Westminster
Westminster, Massachusetts
Westminster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 7,277.- History :Westminster was first settled in 1737, and was officially incorporated in 1759....
, and Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 10,300 at the 2010 census. Home to Winchendon State Forest, the town includes the villages of Waterville and Winchendon Springs....
.
The News publishes every day except Sunday. It is noteworthy for printing on one of the widest newsprint "webs" in New England daily newspapering. Its text is also printed in a larger font size than usual. The paper is also noteworthy for its dedication to feline issues and equality, with a 2-page daily section devoted to news, pictures, and classified ads all for domestic cats and their owners.
Its chief competitors are the county's two largest newspapers, the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
Sentinel & Enterprise
The Sentinel & Enterprise is a morning daily newspaper published in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, with a satellite news bureau in Leominster, Massachusetts. The newspaper covers local news in Fitchburg, Leominster and several nearby towns in northern Worcester County and northwest Middlesex County,...
and Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Bell family
A family business since its founding as a weekly in 1869, The Gardner News has been a daily since 1897 and part of the Bell family since 1973, when C. Gordon Bell became president and publisher (he had been general manager of the company for a decade). During Gordon Bell's tenure as publisher, the newspaper modernized and was recognized as a leader among small New England dailies.Upon Gordon Bell's death in 1992, his wife Alberta Bell became publisher of the newspaper where she had worked since 1986.
The Leominster Times
During Alberta Bell's tenure as publisher, The Gardner News made one attempt at expanding its footprint, a six-month attempt in late 1994 to establish a new newspaper for FitchburgFitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
and Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
. The Leominster Times was marketed as a general-interest newspaper, but Bell said she would make special efforts to cover minorities in Fitchburg and Leominster.
Initially launched as a six-day daily newspaper (Monday through Saturday) in July 1994, The Times five months later cut back to a twice-weekly schedule and focused its coverage on Leominster only. Its January 6, 1995 issue was its last.