UPDATE: In a significant move for local journalism, the Sweet Home New Era and Lebanon Local have officially merged as of January 1, 2026. This merger aims to better serve the communities of East Linn County amidst ongoing challenges in the newspaper industry.
The merger, announced by publishers Scott Swanson and Miriam Swanson, will retain the New Era masthead, established in 1929. The newly combined newspaper will provide comprehensive coverage for both Sweet Home and Lebanon, expanding its news, sports, and advertising offerings. Swanson emphasized the immediate need for this merger: “We need to give Lebanon better service,” he stated.
The decision comes at a critical time, as Oregon’s newspaper landscape has suffered tremendously, with three-quarters of journalism jobs lost since 2001. Recent statistics from the Oregon Employment Department reveal that nearly 20 Oregon news outlets have closed or merged within the last three years. This merger is seen as a vital economic strategy to stabilize operations and enhance community engagement.
Swanson acknowledged the financial struggles that have plagued both newspapers, saying, “We were hanging on by a fingernail” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The merger is expected to increase revenue, allowing for the potential hiring of additional staff. Currently, the publication employs three full-time and two part-time staff members alongside the Swansons and freelancers.
The motivation behind the merger is not only economic but also rooted in a commitment to community service. Swanson noted that local news is essential for civic engagement and understanding: “Newspapers provide a lot of resources to a community that no one else can,” he said. The Swansons have garnered significant community support, which has been crucial in their efforts to sustain local journalism.
This merger follows a troubling trend for small-town newspapers in Oregon. The Brownsville Times, another long-standing publication, recently revived after community support, highlighting the urgent need for citizens to invest in their local news outlets. “If you want a newspaper, you’re going to have to support it,” Swanson warned, underlining the reality that local journalism is at risk without community backing.
As the new publication aims to strengthen its ties with both Sweet Home and Lebanon, Swanson believes that fostering better communication between the two communities will enrich the local news landscape. “They’re very different communities on every level, but there’s still a lot of commonalities,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the Swansons are committed to expanding their reach and improving news delivery throughout East Linn County. The merger represents not just a survival tactic but a renewed dedication to quality journalism that serves the public interest.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. This merger could signal a pivotal shift in how local news is delivered and understood in Oregon’s small towns.
