Richmond Review newspaper shut down by Glacier Media Group

The Glacier Media Group is closing TheRichmond Review, a twice-weekly paper that began publishing83years ago.

The closingwas announced on the paper'sTwitteraccount on Wednesdaymorning that it's final edition will be on Friday.

The news came as a surprisetothe tightly-knit newsroom of four journalists, said editor Bhreandain Clugston, the paper's editor since 2000.

Bad news delivered by Glacier rep Tuesday

ClugstonsaidaGlacier representative came to the paper's Richmond office Tuesday afternoon to deliver the bad news.

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"Everyone was pretty shocked," Clugston said."We all had a real passion for this community. People say journalism is all about stories. But it's really about the people we interact with."

Clugston said all of the paper's journalists are all long-time employees:The sports editor is a 26-year veteran, onereporter has been on staff since 1994 and another since 2005.

Clugstontook over the editor's position in 2000. His father was editor in the 1970s and his mother was the paper's business manager in the 80s.

Loss to the community

Glacier also owns The Vancouver Courier, which laid off two journalists, Cheryl Rossi and Andrew Fleming, earlier this week.The company has previously announced it wasreducingthe Courier's print run from two days to once a week..

Earlier this year,Glacier purchased the Reviewfrom Black PressIt also acquiredTri-CityNews,BurnabyNewsLeader, andNew WestminsterNewsLeaderfrom Black Press.

Black Press, in turn,took ownership of theSurrey Now,LangleyAdvance, andMaple Ridge Times.

The Richmond Review employs 14 people, including four journalists. While the closing is a shock, Clugston said it's a difficult time for media companies.

"We're surprised, but maybe not 100 per cent surprised," he said.