• by Ray Schultz , December 28, 2023

The Eugene Weekly (EW), a small print weekly based in Eugene, Oregon, has been embezzled to the tune of “thousands and thousands of dollars,” and is in danger of going out of business, according to a letter titled, “Where’s the Damn Paper?”

The staff writes, “Shortly before Christmas, we discovered that EW had been the victim of embezzlement at the hands of someone we once trusted.” 

The letter continues, “We had to lay off the entire 10-person staff of EW three days before Christmas. One of our biggest creditors, our printer, says it will print EW again only if we pay upfront.”

The result: “There will be no print paper edition of EW, for the first time in more than 20 years.” 

Some staff members have volunteered to help keep the product alive online. 

The letter explains, “EW has been one of the few print newspapers that has managed to stay in business supported entirely by print advertising. Throughout everything, we have continued to print 30,000 copies each week that appear — for free — each Thursday in our bright red boxes around town.”

The paper is asking for donations and support to help it stay alive.