The North Coast Journal Inc. has purchased The Ferndale Enterprise, keeping the 143-year-old weekly newspaper in local hands, and will take over publishing the paper next month.

Caroline Titus, who has served as editor and publisher of the award-winning Enterprise for 25 years, said she’s excited to start another chapter in life and to have found a local buyer for the iconic paper.

“After putting to bed more than 1,300 consecutive issues, it’s time I take a break,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier that such a reputable and prestigious publication has purchased Ferndale’s history book and the oldest business in town. It just feels so right.”

Titus, who purchased The Enterprise in 1998 and has served as its editor — and essentially its one-person staff — since 1995 plans to continue reporting for the Enterprise as a contributing editor.

Journal Publisher Melissa Sanderson, who purchased North Coast Journal Inc. from its longtime owners in April, plans to expand the Cream City’s paper to cover the entire Eel River Valley, which has been without regular newspaper coverage since the Humboldt Beacon closed in 2011.

“As a lifelong resident of the Eel River Valley, I’m honored to be trusted with this amazing piece of Humboldt County history,” Sanderson said. “I can’t thank Caroline enough for her 26 years of dedicated work and keeping this important First Amendment publication alive and thriving for our community."

The Enterprise, which published its first edition in May of 1878 and has continuously published since, has earned renown throughout the journalism industry for its unflinching coverage of local issues while stacking up more than 35 state and national awards. In 2019, Titus was named the Cal Press Foundation’s Justus F. Craemer Newspaper Executive of the Year and, in 2016, she won freedom of information and government transparency awards from the First Amendment Coalition, the Nor Cal Society of Professional Journalists and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

“Caroline Titus’ news operation has served Ferndale with honor,” said Joe Wirt, director of affiliate relations with the California Newspaper Publishers Association. “It has also inspired and impressed publishers throughout the state and across the country. May The Enterprise continue to uphold the ideals of California newspapers.”

Journal news editor Thadeus Greenson said the Journal’s editorial staff is excited to take the baton from Titus and help write the paper’s next chapter.

“I’m humbled to carry on The Enterprise’s 143-year tradition of gathering the news that Ferndale needs to know, and excited to work toward bringing regular, reliable and impactful news coverage back to the entire Eel River Valley,” he said.

Sanderson, who can be reached at [email protected] or 498-8370, said she is excited about the expansion of North Coast Journal Inc. and what the future holds for its publications. She is happy to answer any questions — and to hear any ideas — the community may have.

For information on purchasing subscriptions to the Journal and The Enterprise, visit www.ncjshop.com. For information about advertising opportunities, contact North Coast Journal Inc. Sales Manager Kyle Windham at [email protected] or 496-2950.