Williams Lake Tribune
Williams Lake is a young town in an old setting. By the mid-1860s, the future of the original town seemed assured. The new stipendiary magistrate for the Cariboo had made its headquarters here. There was a flour mill, sawmill, and B.C.'s first distillery here. All that was needed was the approaching Cariboo Highway.
Then disaster struck. The road bypassed the settlement. The courthouse was abandoned, the post office moved to Barkerville, and the valley was left to sleep for 50 years until another mode of transportation helped establish the 'new' Williams Lake village.
In 1919, rails of the Pacific Great Eastern (now British Columbia Railway) reached the townsite and surveyors were already at work laying out streets and lots in the wheat fields.
In 1929 Williams Lake incorporated as a village and in October 1930, the first issue of the Williams Lake Tribune appeared. Editor and proprietor was the late E.P. Cotton, a printer by trade.
The newspaper was operated by Mr. Cotton for 10 years and in 1940 was sold to Chilcotin rancher George Washington Renner, who immigrated to the Cariboo from the U.S. in 1918. His decision to buy the newspaper probably stemmed from his interest in politics. During his tenure he was actively engaged in Liberal party work.
In January, 1950, ownership again changed, with Clive Stangoe starting his long association with the Tribune. At the time he was the youngest publisher in the province and the first publisher of the Tribune with editorial experience. The Tribune became recognized for its editorial content and appearance — something successive publishers and editors have worked to maintain.
The Tribune has won more than 90 provincial and national awards. In the late 1960s Stangoe sold the newspaper to Northwest Publications and continued as publisher. In 1969 Northwest Publications put the newspaper up for sale. Alan Black, then an executive with NorthWest Publications, suggested to Stangoe that they go into partnership and buy the paper. Stangoe agreed. In 1972, the decision was made to go twice-weekly. The newspaper has published twice a week since.
In the mid-70s Alan Black's son David bought the newspaper and began building what is now Black Press. Black now lives in Victoria and retains ownership. The Interior North head office remains in Williams Lake.
Former Tribune publisher Lorie Williston is president of Interior North and continues to live in Williams Lake. Lorne Doerkson was named publisher in the fall of 2001, and in May 2011 Lisa Bowering took over from Doerkson to become publisher.
In 1989, the Tribune launched The Sunday Shopper. This free market distribution title was launched to counteract a competing 'good news' newspaper.
While its competition has since folded, the Weekender and its parent Tribune, continue to thrive. The Tribune now employs 45 full-time and part-time workers.
The Tribune is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Williams Lake, and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2010.
The Tribune is a thrice-weekly newspaper, publishing a tabloid Tuesday and Thursday and the Tribune Weekend on Friday. Williams Lake is also home to the northern press centre for the company.
Lisa Bowering is the publisher and advertising manager. Erin Hitchcock is the editor.
