The Cannon Falls Beacon and the Cannon Shopper have been acquired by the O’Rourke Media Group, a media company that specializes in publishing local community newspapers. The company also provides cost-effective digital marketing solutions and print/design services to local businesses. “I’m excited and honored with the opportunity to continue Mike, his father and his family’s legacy of publishing a local community newspaper for the past 140 years in Cannon Falls, Minnesota,” says Jim O’Rourke, Owner and CEO. “We believe strongly in the value of quality local news and journalism in the communities we serve, and we look forward to continuing the great work of the Dalton family.”
The Cannon Falls Beacon and the Shopper join an up-and-coming, family-owned media company during a distressing time period in the newspaper and media industry. “We don’t view our markets as challenged or distressed as you would read about in the news. We’re growing revenue and audience in each of our markets, which transcends to providing cost-effective advertising solutions that local businesses appreciate,” O’Rourke said.
O’Rourke Media Group has a track record of retaining local employees at a time when many other media companies focus on outsourcing work out of state or out of the country. O’Rourke says that readers and local businesses in Cannon Falls can expect the same. Additionally, Mike Dalton will work closely with the team through the transition period and will continue to assist and contribute in the Editorial area of the business.
The Beacon was founded in 1876 by John Leonard and purchased in 1880 by Silas S. Lewis. It has been in the Lewis-Dalton family for 140 years encompassing five generations of editors. Current editor/publisher Mike Dalton, took over from his father Dick in 2012. The elder Dalton died on Saturday, May 2, three days before the sale.