This July 30th issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon portends to be its last.
Well, the final edition with Doug Cole as its owner and publisher.
Financial circumstances have made it impossible for us to continue.
What started in June of 2018 after the Rapid City Journal (owned by Lee Enterprises) closed the Post & Bee in 2017.
A strong belief that com- munities need a local news source to provide consistant information for business, life and death, youth and athletics, and schedules of events and activities in all walks of life.
Most newspapers started in the 1800’s soon after the many towns and cities came into existance.
How do you start one in the 21st century became the question.
Internet, InDesign, text, and email were the tools that replaced printer’s ink; the linotype; and one sheet at a time presses.
Two gentlement from the District’s Postal Headquarters in Sioux Falls and introduced us to a BMEU (bulk mailing
enterprise unit) basically an extension of Every Door Direct Mail marketing.
With it we were able to have the paper delivered to every household on particular mail routes by zip code. No names or addresses were required.
We initially started with all or part of 7 counties in the Tri-State area. Basically the Belle Fourche trade area.
We did free distribution with voluntary subscriptions.
Our advertisers were happy to have their’s published knowing that everyone received it in the mail.
Down the road we asked readers if they would subscribe, still doing broad distribution, but asking for assistance.
Income was going in right direction, but not substantial enough.
In 2024 the law changed and made way for the Beacon to become a publisher of Legal notices.
We became eligible in July of 2025, but unfortunately before we could benefit from that expansion in publication we became financially insolvent and did not have the resources to continue.
So long and thank you for your support.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
So sorry to hear this we have so enjoyed getting the Beacon. It’s been a great paper. We will miss it greatly.