Devil’s River News marks 135 years serving Sonora community

Displaying a cake commemorating the 135th birthday of the Devil’s River News are Publisher/owner Randy Mankin and Editor Angie Bryant. Festival events celebrating the anniversary were held in downtown Sonora. (Devil’s River News photo)

SONORA – The Devil’s River News celebrated its 135th anniversary in October.  

The milestone was celebrated Oct. 20 in downtown Sonora. The event included street vendors, hot dogs, cake, activities for the kids and a shoot out with the Devil’s River Gang. 

The newspaper has a rich history in Sonora. Founded in 1890, the Devil’s River News remains in publication today, making it the oldest continually operated business in Sutton County.

The weekly newspaper was established by Mike Murphy and has served as a cornerstone of local journalism for more than a century. Historically, the Devil’s River News has covered a range of community topics, including local elections, high school sports, track meets, and civic events throughout rural West Texas. 

Named after the nearby Devil’s River – a rugged waterway early settlers described as forbidding – the newspaper evolved over time to meet the needs of its readership. In recent years, it has expanded its reach through a digital presence while maintaining its long-standing focus on its printed product community news.

Digital archives of the Devil’s River News, with some editions dating back to its founding year, are now available online. 

Angie Bryant has been with the paper since 2019 as advertising sales, and was promoted to editor in 2021. She also worked for the Devil’s River News from 2011-2015 in sales.

The newspaper became part of Masked Rider Publishing in 2016, joining The Eldorado Success and the Big Lake Wildcat. Randy and Kathy Mankin own and publish the three weekly newspapers. The company also owns and operates Illusions Photography and Wildcat Printing.

Their son J.L. is editor of The Big Lake Wildcat. He also operates Illusions Photography and Wildcat Printing from the Big Lake office.

“I have always believed that a thriving community needs a strong newspaper and I consider it an honor to own one with as rich a history as The Devil’s River News,” Randy Mankin said. 

“Each of our newspapers is more than a century old and each of them continues today as the oldest ongoing business in their respective county. My hope is they each continue for many years to come.”

(Originally published in the Devil’s River News.)