The Sentinel Papers Fold In Montgomery, Prince George's Counties

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County Sentinel and Prince George's Sentinel — two weekly newspapers with a reliable and steady presence in the Washington capital region — are going out of business, Montgomery Community Media reports.

The news comes as hundreds of local papers across the country struggle to pursue digital subscription models and offset advertising revenue declines.

"It is with much sorrow that I announce that Berlyn Inc t/a the Montgomery County Sentinel and the Prince George's Sentinel's run is coming to an end. Although we tried our best, the sad reality is that these newspapers have not been profitable over the past year," publisher Lynn Kapiloff wrote in a letter to employees.

According to the letter, obtained by MCM, the Sentinel's final issue will be published on Jan. 30.

The Sentinel was founded in 1855 as a partisan publication in the years preceding the Civil War, according to the outlet. Once a paper that routinely advocated for Confederate causes, The Sentinel now provides in-depth coverage on issues affecting Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Under its current ownership, the Montgomery County Sentinel has been in operation for 57 years and the Prince George's Sentinel has been in operation for 42 years.

"Our family has owned the Montgomery County Sentinel newspapers for 57 years and the Prince George's Sentinel for 42 years and it has been my great honor and privilege to be part of this team," the publisher wrote. "I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the time and effort you have dedicated to these Sentinels. Our papers would not have been possible if not for your talent and hard work. On behalf of my family, I truly thank you all and wish you the best of luck in the future."