Brunswick Beacon: Publication Day

The Brunswick Beacon is a newspaper that serves Shallotte, North Carolina, and the islands of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach. It covers local government, businesses, events, crime, public schools, and local sports. The Beacon is published once a week and has a circulation of about 15,000. It was founded in 1962 by Brunswick County native Robert B. Stanley, Sr. and was first called the Shallotte Press. The paper's name was changed to The Brunswick Beacon after a contest held by Stanley, which was won by Shallotte businesswoman JoAnn Simmons.

The Brunswick Beacon's history

The Brunswick Beacon, a newspaper with a circulation of about 15,000, was founded by Brunswick County native Robert B. Stanley, Sr. in 1962. The first publication, dated November 1, 1962, was called the Shallotte Press. A contest was held to name the paper, and it was won by Shallotte businesswoman, JoAnn Simmons.

The Beacon primarily covers local government, local businesses and events, crime, public schools, and local sports. It serves Shallotte, North Carolina, the islands of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach, and other communities in southwestern Brunswick County, including Carolina Shores, Calabash, Ash, Supply, and Bolivia. The area's allure to tourists and retirees has helped the Beacon to boast paid circulation in 49 states.

In 1970, the Beacon was purchased by Edward Sweatt, then a partner in Community Newspapers Inc. out of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Under Sweatt and his wife, Carolyn, the Beacon successfully navigated competition and the area's population explosion in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the mid-1990s, real estate and service industry advertising allowed the paper to expand from printing 28 to 32 pages to 70-plus pages each week.

In 2001, the Beacon moved from its location on Main Street to a 21,000-square-foot office center and printing plant on Smith Avenue. The paper changed hands again in 2003, when it was purchased by Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. of Shelbyville, Kentucky, a division of Landmark Media Enterprises. In 2021, the Beacon was purchased by Paxton Media Group, headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky, and relocated to a new office in Shallotte.

Circulation and reach

The Brunswick Beacon has a circulation of about 15,000 and serves Shallotte, North Carolina, and the islands of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach. Its reach also extends to other communities in southwestern Brunswick County, including Carolina Shores, Calabash, Ash, Supply, and Bolivia.

The newspaper primarily focuses its coverage on local government, local businesses and events, crime, public schools, and local sports. Due to the area's appeal to tourists and retirees keen on staying informed about Brunswick County's burgeoning real estate market, the Beacon boasts paid circulation in 49 states.

The Beacon was first published in 1962 as the Shallotte Press by Brunswick County native Robert B. Stanley, Sr. Over the years, it has changed hands several times, with different owners steering it through challenges and growth spurts. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Sweatts, who owned the paper at the time, successfully navigated competition from rival publications and a population explosion in the area.

The Beacon's ability to attract real estate and service industry advertising in the mid-1990s allowed it to expand its weekly page count from 32 to 70-plus. This expansion reflects the paper's growing reach and influence in the region. In 2001, the Beacon moved to a larger office and printing plant on Smith Avenue, further solidifying its presence in the community.

The paper has continued to change hands in the 21st century, with Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. acquiring it in 2003 and then selling it, along with 45 other newspapers, to Paxton Media Group in 2021. Throughout these ownership changes, the Beacon has maintained its focus on local news and its commitment to serving the communities of southwestern Brunswick County.

Topics covered

The Brunswick Beacon covers a wide range of topics relevant to its circulation area of Shallotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding communities in southwestern Brunswick County. With a focus on local news, the publication covers local government, businesses, events, crime, public schools, and sports.

In recent editions, The Brunswick Beacon has reported on local developments, including the approval of a 1,504-home mixed-use community project in Sunset Beach, property tax rate increases in Shallotte and Ocean Isle Beach, and the installation of sea turtle-friendly lights on Ocean Isle Beach. The newspaper also covers local obituaries, anniversary and engagement announcements, and community events such as the NC 4th of July Festival and Fireworks.

In addition to local news, The Brunswick Beacon provides its readers with national and international news, such as travel chaos at Manchester Airport, the UK's power cut, and the California lifeguard lawsuit over the Pride flag at beaches. The publication also offers a range of content, including entertainment, sports, and opinion pieces.

The Brunswick Beacon has a long history in the area, founded in 1962 by Brunswick County native Robert B. Stanley, Sr., and has a circulation of about 15,000. It has undergone several ownership changes over the years and is currently owned by the Paxton Media Group, headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky.

Ownership

The Brunswick Beacon, a newspaper with a circulation of about 15,000, is currently owned by Paxton Media Group, headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky. The newspaper was purchased by the media group in May 2021, adding to its chain of 45 other newspapers. The Beacon's office was subsequently relocated to a new address in Shallotte, North Carolina.

Prior to this, the Beacon was owned by Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. (LCNI), a division of privately held media company Landmark Media Enterprises, based in Norfolk, Virginia. LCNI purchased the newspaper in June 2003. Under their ownership, the Beacon moved to a 21,000-square-foot office center and printing plant on Smith Avenue in 2001.

The Beacon was initially established in 1962 by Brunswick County native Robert B. Stanley, Sr. after several unsuccessful attempts to establish a publication serving the area. The first issue, dated November 1, 1962, was called the Shallotte Press, and the paper was later renamed the Brunswick Beacon following a naming contest won by local businesswoman JoAnn Simmons. In 1970, the newspaper was purchased by Edward Sweatt, a partner in Community Newspapers Inc. out of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Recent news

The Brunswick Beacon, a newspaper with a circulation of about 15,000, serves Shallotte, North Carolina, and the islands of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach. It covers local government, businesses, events, crime, public schools, and local sports. The Beacon is published once a week and was most recently updated on June 23, 2024.

The Brunswick Beacon has recently reported on a variety of topics, including local politics, development projects, and community events in Shallotte, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach.

In local politics, the publication highlighted the Ocean Isle Beach's decision to increase property tax rates, with two commissioners opposing the move. Meanwhile, Shallotte has adopted an almost 2.5-cent property tax increase as the town faces growing pains.

On the development front, the Sunset Beach Town Council approved a conditional zoning request and development agreement for Angels Trace, a 1,504-home mixed-use community. Additionally, a 304-home development was approved off N.C. 211, and Carolina Shores gave the go-ahead for a Walmart Supercenter.

The Brunswick Beacon also covered community initiatives, such as Ocean Isle Beach's agreement to install sea turtle-friendly lights and the Holden Beach Turtle Watch educational programs. The publication also reported on the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival announcing a 9/11 mobile exhibit.

In other news, the Beacon informed readers about a man being hospitalised after suffering a laceration while swimming in Sunset Beach, and a "scary-looking" street cat that turned out to be a lovebug.

The publication also provides obituaries, anniversary and engagement announcements, and weather updates for the region.

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