That's it! Monroe County Herald and Hillsboro Sentry enter new chapter under Finger Publishing.

You have heard the rumors; now we can finally tell the story.

After more than a decade of owning Evans Print & Media and the Monroe County Herald, Hillsboro Sentry, and Cashton Record, longtime publisher Greg Evans is stepping away from the newspaper and printing business. Evans has sold the Monroe County Herald and Hillsboro Sentry to Tom Finger and Finger Publishing operating out of Black Earth, Wisconsin. Wayne Butterfield bought the commercial print business, renamed it Sparta Printing, and the Cashton Record was sold to Logan Everson.

In 2015, Evans purchased the Monroe County Publishers facility while searching for a larger building for his printing business. The acquisition unexpectedly brought him into newspaper ownership, a role that expanded with the purchase of additional community newspapers in the years that followed.

Evans's parents were both in the newspaper business, and that is where he got his start. I've been in it my whole life," Evans said. "If you're old enough to carry a broom, you were working. That's just how I was raised. I love the newspaper and print world. It's just been a fun adventure for me."

Evans traces his family's involvement in newspapers back six generations to Wales, where members of his family operated newspapers and printing businesses before later establishing publications in Illinois.

During his ownership, Evans Print & Media grew into a substantial commercial printing operation while the newspapers earned statewide recognition. Evans estimates the publications received well over 100 Wisconsin newspaper awards during his tenure.

"I would say probably the state awards for the newspapers," Evans said when asked what accomplishment made him most proud. "For the employees to feel that gratitude was always special to me."

When asked if there was a time, he felt how much newspapers matter, he said, "COVID was a major thing... We opened up our website for all readers so they could get information... That kind of reminded me how important a newspaper really is."

Time for retirement

Evans said the decision to sell ultimately came down to one thing.

"It's time to retire," he said, citing family considerations, including his wife's health.

Evans took a moment to collect himself before saying, "None of this would have been possible without my wife. Through the long hours, the difficult decisions, and the ups and downs of owning a business, she was always by my side. Her support and patience made this journey possible."

While stepping away from the business has not fully sunk in yet, Evans believes the newspapers are in capable hands.

"Tom Finger will do just fine here. We've got Eric at the helm as the editor. Eric will also do just fine. The advice that I give them is sell, sell, sell. I mean, you've got to have salespeople out there. Newspapers are still important for advertising."

"I think newspapers are very strong in this area," he said. "These papers were sold to another family operation, and I think that the newspapers will continue to do very well around this area."

Evans acknowledged the challenges facing community newspapers, including rising costs for paper, aluminum printing plates and postage. Despite those pressures, he remains optimistic about the future of local newspapers when they remain focused on their communities.

"Staying hyper-local is the big thing," Evans said. "Once you veer from that, you're going to be in trouble."

That philosophy became his primary consideration when selecting a buyer.

"My priority was making sure that they knew it had to be hyper-local," Evans said. "Whether it was Tomah, Wilton, Sparta, Bangor or Warrens, we always tried to cover the major events in those communities."

A new steward

For Tom Finger, owner of Finger Publishing, acquiring the Monroe County Herald and Hillsboro Sentry represents another investment in Wisconsin's community newspaper tradition.

Finger entered the newspaper industry in 1999 and has spent nearly three decades operating community newspapers. He said he still believes local newspapers remain both viable and essential.

"I still see them as a very viable and necessary industry," Finger said. "There's still a passion for newspapers and for what they are."

Finger said his immediate priority is ensuring readers experience a seamless transition.

"The first thing to do is make sure that people don't see an interruption in the delivery of their paper," he said. "People will see changes, but hopefully the content starts where it is now, and we're going to get better from here."

He hopes former subscribers and readers who may have drifted away will give the newspaper another opportunity.

"Give us a chance," Finger said. "We're going to continue to provide that local news and make it better than what we have in the past."

Finger also emphasized that the newspaper's future will continue to focus on community journalism.

"We are community newspapers," he said. "I think people like to hear good things that are going on in their community... We're community newspapers."

Looking ahead

Finger said Monroe County presents significant opportunity because of its communities and engaged readership.

"I think these communities have the potential to have a great paper," he said. "I want to work with the folks that we have here and anybody else that we need to bring in to make sure the product is at least what it is now and hopefully better." Finger added, "I hope people see value in the paper, that their community still has a paper."

As Evans closes one chapter, he hopes readers remember the role the newspaper played in the community over the past 28 years.

"We were a very friendly company that filled a gap this community needed," he said.

Evans final message to readers, advertisers and the community reflect the optimism that carried him through decades in business.

"There's always light at the end of the tunnel," Evans said. "You don't know the times when I thought I was going out of business, and then you see that little glow, and it opens right up again. This community always steps forward in a time of need."

For Finger Publishing, that community support—and the commitment to keeping local journalism local—will now shape the next chapter of the Monroe County Herald and Hillsboro Sentry.

Changes and Contacts

As readers may notice with this edition, the size of the paper has changed. The Monroe County Herald and the Hillsboro Sentry will now be printed in Black Earth, Wisconsin. Editors, sales, and graphics staff remain the same for both papers. Zach Rastall, previous sportswriter for Evans Print and Media, will become sports editor. Rastall is looking for two people interested in writing about local sports. If you are interested, email zachrastall@trempcountytimes.com. The Monroe County Herald is looking for people interested in writing local stories; email editor@monroecountyherald.com.

The Monroe County Herald has moved to 920 W Wisconsin Street, Suite 1, in Sparta. The phone number is (608) 269-3186.

The Hillsboro Sentry has closed; its staff will work from home. Contact information will be provided at a later date.

Nothing has changed with the Cashton Record.

Wayne Butterfield has purchased the commercial printing division of Evans Print & Media and has renamed the business Sparta Printing.

Sparta Printing is now located at 402 S. Black River St. in Sparta and will continue providing commercial printing services to businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the region.

Customers can reach Sparta Printing by calling 608-269-9797, emailing wayne@spartaprinting.com, or visiting www.spartaprinting.com.

The Monroe County Herald will feature additional coverage of Sparta Printing, including Butterfield's plans for the business, in an upcoming edition.