The Big Bend Sentinel plans to return to print next month, with its first new physical edition scheduled to coincide with Chinati Weekend in Marfa.
In an email sent to advertisers and prospective advertisers, the Sentinel said an Oct. 8 edition will mark the newspaper’s return to mailboxes and news racks.
“The paper is back — the paper paper that is,” the Sentinel told advertisers, adding that the Chinati Weekend edition is expected to be a large issue featuring stories and photography.
The announcement comes as the newspaper prepares for changes in its ownership and business operations. The Sentinel said its future plans include new nonprofit ownership and new staff leadership, though it said details of the transition have not yet been finalized.
According to the email, editor Rob D’Amico, reporter Sam Karas and copy editor and schools reporter Ariele Gentiles will remain with the newspaper. Kate Bubacz will focus on leading the business and expanding the Sentinel’s work with advertisers.
The Sentinel, which is in its 100th year, is also making a renewed push for print advertising ahead of the relaunch. A rate card distributed with the announcement lists print advertising at $10 per column inch, with prices ranging from $40 for a business-card-sized advertisement to $1,200 for a full-page ad.
The newspaper said it has about 2,500 weekly subscribers or members and plans to print 1,000 copies each week. It also reported approximately 80,000 monthly website views and 3,600 newsletter subscribers.
The Sentinel had previously promoted its twice-weekly newsletter as a premium digital advertising product. The new rate card lists an exclusive newsletter sponsorship at $250 per month, along with other digital advertising options.
Advertising orders for the Oct. 8 edition are due Sept. 29, with finished artwork due Oct. 1, according to the announcement.
The Sentinel said additional information about its new nonprofit ownership and leadership structure will be released once the transition is finalized.
