Leonard Graphic Christmas edition is newspaper’s last

LEONARD – On Dec. 12, Leonard Graphic Editor and Publisher Betsy Blevins announced the newspaper would close by the end of 2024 unless a buyer was found.

In a second announcement published Dec. 19, she said that edition would be the newspaper’s last.

Blevins has owned and operated the 134 year-old Leonard Graphic for 15 years, purchasing it from Bethany and Charles Russell. During her tenure, the newspaper has earned recognition from the Leonard Chamber of Commerce as the Business of the Year and won awards in the Texas Better Newspaper Contest.

In columns published Dec 12 and 19, Blevins expressed gratitude for the community’s support but that she could no longer maintain the publication. She noted she took on another job earlier this year to help keep the newspaper afloat until the end of 2024 to fulfill annual advertising obligations to loyal customers.

“Dec. 31, 2024, is the last day of business for The Leonard Graphic unless somebody comes forward beforehand interested in starting the purchase process,” she wrote.

If no sale is in the future, Blevins said she would continue to share news and information about community events through the newspaper’s social media.