Washtenaw Now was a weekly print newspaper that began in April 2014, incorporating material from across rural Washtenaw County. It was published by Digital First Media and combined the Chelsea Standard, the Dexter Leader, the Manchester Enterprise, the Milan News-Leader, the Saline Reporter and the Ypsilanti Courier newspapers.
In June 2015, the firm announced its decision to stop publishing Washtenaw Now. Its final issue was on June 25, 2015.
The weekly papers were originally owned by Heritage Newspapers, part of a chain founded by Heinz Prechter. After Prechter's suicide in 2001, the papers were bought by the Journal Register Co. (also known as 21st Century Media). The Journal Register filed for bankruptcy in September 2012 and was absorbed into Digital First Media, owned by Alden Global Capital. Digital First Media also operates four daily media properties in Michigan, including the Oakland Press and Macomb Daily.
In the news
Washtenaw Now closes after 14 months of publication – MLive, June 26, 2015
Digital Media First to Shut Down Washtenaw Now. Saline Post, June 11, 2015
From the article: "A year after consolidating eight community weekly papers, including the Saline Reporter, into a regional weekly, Digital First Media is shuttering Washtenaw Now and ceasing news operations in the county.
The last edition is June 25, the Saline Post has learned."
Note to readers and local businesses, Chelsea Standard, March 24, 2014
Starting April 10th, we’ll combine the newspapers for Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti into a robust community weekly newspaper called “Washtenaw Now.” The new publication will feature more coverage of news and issues across Washtenaw County while increasing the amount of relevant, engaging local information and advertising. Each community will have its own pages organized in a user-friendly format. On the web, we’ll maintain individual sites (i.e. salinereporter.com; chelseastandard.com; ) for each community.