It is with deep sorrow that I make this announcement. The Oxford Sun will cease publication with the Friday, December 28th edition.

The Sun is ending publication for a number of reasons, most importantly weaker-than-anticipated circulation and advertising revenue. What we’ve discovered during the past 16 months is The Sun’s main source of competition for dollars in the above categories is The Anniston Star. From what I understand from our circulation department, the number of Star subscribers in Oxford will one day surpass those within the city our flagship daily is headquartered.

As publisher of the Sun, I have no regrets. My staff and I have done the best we possibly could. I believe we were putting out a good product – a product Oxford residents could be proud. And as we wind down production and delivery of this worthwhile venture, The Star’s circulation department is working on options to address any balance our company owes to subscribers who’ve purchased long-term subscriptions to the Sun.

When we began this venture, Sherry Kughn came on board as news editor and she did a superb job.

I have never seen any writer attack a beat like Sherry. The Oxford Sun became her baby. She searched out stories that no one else could find. If you live in Oxford I bet Sherry talked to you at least once.

I know she will shed tears about this decision as I have.

The newspaper’s design was done by Michelle Doe, an intern we had from Ohio University, who did an excellent job. Anita Kilgore did most of the layout work. Her knowledge and expertise was invaluable.

There are so many people I would like to thank for their contributions to this newspaper.

Brant Locklier was superior as our sports editor. He covered Oxford and Trinity Christian athletics like they have never been covered. Mike Anderson provided great pictures of sporting events, especially Oxford football, basketball, volleyball and soccer.

Hats off to correspondents Danny McCarty, Alice Duckett, Julie Skinner, Hervey Folsom, Betty Wilkinson and David Rickless. They all did marvelous jobs and provided stories our readers got no where else.

I know I’m forgetting others who contributed. To those I apologize and please forgive.

Finally, and most of all, I would like to thank our readers in Oxford, who opened their hearts to us, who gave us their stories to tell, who believed in us and what we were trying to do – give this community a newspaper of its own.

With that I bid you farewell … for now. The Oxford Sun may rise again … some day.