COBLESKILL – Capital Region Independent Media (CRIM) is proud to welcome the Cobleskill Times-Journal into its family of newspapers. CRIM President Mark Vinciguerra announced the sale on Oct.1
The paper and The Printers, a commercial printing enterprise, have been owned by Jim Poole and his wife Sandy since 1992. In announcing the sale, Poole said, “Mark knows the value of local news and he very much recognizes that people in rural communities can’t get reliable news without dependable papers.”
Poole also recognized CRIM’s focus on digital as well as print media.
“He’ll raise the Times-Journal to a level it hasn’t been before,” Poole said.
Vinciguerra said he will continue the tradition of high quality local news.
“I am very much looking forward to working with members of the T-J team and to carry on Jim’s work and continue to bring quality local news and information to the area,” Vinciguerra said.
Poole credited the newsroom staff with the quality of the paper.
“Much of the Times-Journal’s success stems from its staff that is dedicated to the news business,” Poole said, adding, “Just as important are the devoted readers who interact with the paper every week.”
Capital Region Independent Media currently publishes seven weekly papers—The Granville Sentinel, Whitehall Times, Washington County Free Press, Ravena News-Herald, Greenville Pioneer, The Columbia Paper and the Lakes Region Free Press in Vermont. CRIM also publishes many special magazines focusing on communities in its coverage area.
The company has two robust websites, NYVTmedia.com and The Upstater.com. These sites keep readers up to date on breaking news, sports, special events coverage as well as weekly news broadcasts.
CRIM is also noted for its community involvement, such as the Best of Washington County and Lakes Region, the annual Top 5ive awards ceremonies, and the Feed your Mind, Feed a Family program, which is done in conjunction with area supermarkets and community businesses, and helps stock food pantries for the holiday season.
SOME BACKGROUND
Poole started as a reporter for the Times-Journal in 1977 and became editor in 1979, before purchasing the publication in 1992.
Vinciguerra’s vast newspaper experience includes stints with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Syracuse Post Standard. As an experienced publisher, Vinciguerra noticed that as daily papers changed and contracted their coverage there were opportunities in weeklies, both as essential news for readers and valuable advertising outlets for businesses.
Poole will remain with the Times-Journal during the transition and plans to continue as a reporter.
