(This is the 12th in a series of articles as the Log Cabin Democrat reaches its 100th anniversary as a daily newspaper.)
With the arrival of the 21st century, the Log Cabin Democrat had another change at the top. Publisher Mike Hengel was moved to Holland, Mich., and the responsibility of several newspapers in that area. Scot Morrissey, already in Conway as general manager, became publisher.
Change took place all through the Log Cabin, not just in the newsroom. Morrissey took note of a gap in readers, both in Conway and across the nation. Young adults weren't reading newspapers to the extent of older people. So Morrissey went after them with new products, publications, and with an emphasis on features along with hard news.
The Shopper, delivered weekly to every household, was stopped, replaced by Snapshot, an entertainment-oriented weekly paper with free delivery to homes not subscribing to the Log Cabin. Women's Inc., was launched, a magazine on coated paper rather than newsprint and edited by Sonja Keith, the former Log Cabin managing editor. It was well received. Later, Mosaic was begun, another coated paper publication. The online operation of the Log Cabin has grown, and its staff moved from a back room of the Log Cabin building to a corner of the newsroom.
Multiple changes took place in the Log Cabin's newsroom. David Keith, managing editor for 10 years, left in December 2005 and joined the University of Central Arkansas journalism faculty. Beckie Tyson, a weekly newspaper editor, came aboard as managing editor for a little over a year then left to return to a family weekly newspaper, the Atkins Chronicle.
Rick Fahr, with experience as an editor at Russellville and at Jonesboro, took over the Log Cabin newsroom with the title of editor. Later, Waylon Harris, who had worked under Fahr at Jonesboro, and who had joined the Log Cabin, was named managing editor.
Fahr was in the Arkansas National Guard and had already served a stint of active duty. He was recalled to active duty late in 2007, but his name remained on the editor's door and on the Log Cabin's masthead. Harris handled both jobs.
Being in the shadow of the big Little Rock paper continues to be a major obstacle, a ball and chain for the Log Cabin.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is formidable competition. Publisher Walter Hussman is a tough competitor, the man who brought down the Arkansas Gazette in 1991, defeating Gannett, the nation's largest newspaper chain. By publishing a weekly, now twice a week, supplement for Conway and the surrounding area, the Democrat-Gazette receives advertising income from Conway businesses. It has one or more regular news reporters stationed in Conway. It has several feature writers and salesmen working on the supplement section.
Another problem in the 21st century is news coverage under pressure of a rapid population growth in Conway and in Faulkner County. News and sports, the Log Cabin staff often can't catch up. Some events go uncovered. Turnover in personnel doesn't help either, but that's a way of life for newspapers. And let's face it most of today's populace has a television-first outlook.
Public officials, school people, store owners and truck drivers get excited when television reporters come to town. If fortunate, the result will be the familiar 30-second bite on a newscast. The local newspaper's work will scarcely rate a comment. But the newspaper will be around to cover the next event.
