Clifton Record-Tribune restores news coverage in Bosque County

CLIFTON – A local couple has restored their hometown newspaper in Bosque County with the new Clifton Record Tribune.

According to an article published May 8, under a corporate model for the last 17 years, the Bosque County Record Tribune – the product of a merger between The Clifton Record and Meridian Tribune weekly newspapers almost a year ago – unfortunately continued to struggle financially. To avoid closing the doors on a newspaper that’s been publishing since 1895, Moser Community Media made former publisher Brett Voss and his wife Simone an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Consequently, the Vosses decided to incorporate the weekly newspaper into their multi-media business Southern Cross Creative and relaunch the publication as the new Clifton Record Tribune.

“The newspaper may bear the name “Clifton Record” in its flag, but it will also include “Tribune” and an image of the Bosque County courthouse to pay homage to the Meridian Tribune. And beyond that, we hope to once again become a newspaper all of Bosque County will be proud to call its own,” Brett Voss said.

Assuming ownership of the newspaper on May 1, the couple opened a new brick-and-mortar office in downtown Clifton which will now be the home to the Clifton Record Tribune, Chisholm Country magazine, Brett Voss’ The Sports Buzz and River Run Video Productions, while also providing a business address for the Bosque Film Society outside the historic Cliftex Theatre.

Former publisher of the publisher for The Clifton Record and Meridian Tribune from 2013-2018, Brett Voss serves as publisher for the Clifton Record Tribune and the company’s other publications, heading up sales, providing graphic design for advertising, the newspaper and the magazine, as well as the company’s video producer. He will continue to cover the area high school sports and local politics while writing an occasional column or editorial.

The staff I includes veteran Bosque County journalists, including Simone Wichers-Voss as editor-in-chief, Nathan Diebenow as managing editor and Ashley Barner as copy and layout editor. Wendy Orozco is photographer.

After serving as publisher of The Clifton Record and Meridian Tribune for three years, Rita Hamilton has come out of retirement to serve as business manager. Linda Warren, originally hired by Voss in 2014, will continue as circulation manager.

In addition to entertainment and events in Bosque County, the editorial staff will focus on covering governmental meetings like city council, economic development, Chamber of Commerce and Commissioners Court as well as school board meetings.

According to Voss, in a timely fashion unprecedented in Bosque County news coverage, the Clifton Record Tribune’s Facebook page will be offering news briefs and sound bites of events. Then with one click, readers can access the website or digital newspaper to read the whole story – taking the newspaper to a new level of accessibility.

“We are extremely humbled and encouraged by the many positive reactions and expressions of support we have received regarding this acquisition,” Simone Voss said. “And we see this venture as an investment in the future of the paper, and a chance to keep offering news on platforms people prefer, whether it is print newspaper, or on their tablets or phones.”