The locally owned Keizertimes will merge into Salem Reporter effective Sept. 1, bringing Keizer-focused reporting, advertising staff and production resources into the Capitol City newsroom, the two organizations announced Friday.
What the merger means for readers and staff
Keizertimes subscribers will be migrated to Salem Reporter’s digital platform, and the final print edition of the community paper was published Friday, Aug. 28. The change follows long-term pressures on print publications and is part of Salem Reporter’s recent expansion supported by subscribers and donors.
- Reporter transfer: Krista Kroiss, an award-winning Keizertimes reporter, will join Salem Reporter’s staff and continue to focus on Keizer reporting.
- Advertising and operations: Robin Barney, former general manager of Keizertimes, will handle advertising sales for the combined operation.
- Production and design: Justin Wilkinson, head of Keizertimes’ production department, will move into a graphic design role for Salem Reporter.
Les Zaitz, owner and editor of Salem Reporter and publisher of Keizertimes, said the consolidation will deepen the organization’s ability to deliver news relevant to readers in both Keizer and Salem.
“We’re confident this merger will deepen our organization’s ability to deliver news that matters to readers in Keizer and Salem,”
Salem Reporter’s staff has grown in recent months, Zaitz said, with the organization relying on a mix of subscriber support and donor funding to expand reporting capacity. The addition of Keizertimes staff increases that capacity and retains reporting expertise focused on Keizer.
Industry context: print decline and local consolidation
Zaitz noted the increasingly difficult environment for print publications and pointed to several recent local closures. Two Oregon community papers — the Chronicle, serving Creswell and Springfield, and the Highway 58 Herald in Oakridge — have ceased publishing. Larger publishers have also cut back operations in multiple cities, reflecting broader trends that have challenged small, independent newsrooms.
The Keizertimes was founded in 1979. Zaitz and his wife, Scotta Callister, acquired the paper in 1987 and later added a digital edition. With the final print issue published Aug. 28, the merger completes a long transition from print to a primarily digital presence for the Keizer community under Salem Reporter’s banner.
| Role at Keizertimes | New role at Salem Reporter |
|---|---|
| Krista Kroiss — Reporter | Reporter, focusing on Keizer |
| Robin Barney — General Manager | Advertising sales |
| Justin Wilkinson — Production Head | Graphic design for combined operation |
Local consequences and next steps
For readers in Keizer and Salem, the most immediate changes will be the end of the Keizertimes print edition and the shift of subscription service to Salem Reporter’s digital system. The move could broaden coverage available to readers by pooling resources and staff, while also reducing the footprint of print journalism in the community.
For local businesses that relied on Keizertimes for print advertising, Salem Reporter said the merger will expand advertising opportunities under a consolidated sales operation. Robin Barney’s move to sales is intended to maintain and grow those avenues for local advertisers.
Salem Reporter emphasized its commitment to producing fair, accurate reporting and to helping readers understand and participate in community life. As the newsroom integrates the Keizertimes team, the organization plans to continue delivering Keizer-focused stories through Salem Reporter’s website and newsletters.
Readers with questions about the transition or subscription conversion are directed to Salem Reporter’s website for details on account migration and access to local coverage under the combined operation.
