The Lindale News and Times closed its doors after 124 years of service due to financial issues. They opened in 1900 and were located at 104 N Main St, Lindale, TX 75771.
“I believe the LNT was a vital part of the community since its beginnings,” Staff Editor Terry Cannon said. “It provided factual information for the benefit of all taxpayers they couldn’t get anywhere else.”
The Newspaper covered the Lindale school district, Smith county and the city of Lindale. The Staff wrote news stories over events, cover stories about important civil incidents, and featured citizens in the community.
“The work I did for the paper was rewarding,” Cannon said. “I have always loved to write and putting information out to the public so the citizens would be well informed.”
Their financial issues stemmed from what they were profiting with advertisements on their paper and website. Many newspapers rely on this form of profit due to low sales of paper products, and many times it is not enough to keep them afloat.
“Unfortunately newspapers, especially small town newspapers, are dependent on advertising to continue to operate,” Cannon said. “For some reason, the Lindale advertisers didn’t want to support a vital part of the community so it was economically impossible to stay open.”
Cannon originally joined the Lindale News and Times in 2009 as a general assignments reporter and covered the school district and wrote feature stories. In 2011 he became editor of the newspaper and wrote general stories about the community.
“ I was hired by the editor before me, a fine man named Tom Boone,” Cannon said. “I have a great respect for him as a newsman and a person.”
Cannon has been in the newspaper scene since he was eleven years old, where he worked as a paperboy for a Dallas newspaper. By the time the Lindale News and Times closed he had turned 70 years old.
“Since I was eleven I have been in the ‘newspaper’ business,” Cannon said. “Even though journalism has changed dramatically, I feel responsible journalism is essential to our free society.”
Cannon plans to continue writing after the Lindale News and Times closing. He also plans to continue working in order to support his family.
“I would love to be able to continue to write; it’s still a passion,” Cannon said. “I will probably try to stay busy and continue to enjoy my family which includes my wife of 45 years, my two sons and their families, and my four wonderful grandkids.”
