North Coast Journal, Sister Papers Return to Local Printing at Western Web

“I’m incredibly proud to share some good news: The North Coast Journal and several of NCJ Inc.’s publications, including The Ferndale Enterprise, are once again being printed right here in Humboldt County,” publisher Melissa Sanderson wrote in a first-person note that opens “Dear Readers,” announcing the return of local printing at Western Web in Samoa.

Sanderson framed the move as a reversal of recent disruptions: “After several challenging months of outsourcing printing out of area, our papers are once again rolling off the presses at Western Web in Samoa.” The publisher did not provide exact start or end dates for the outsourcing period, but characterized it as occurring over “several challenging months.”

Operational continuity during that outsourcing stretch relied on local hands. Sanderson singled out Roger Kirkpatrick and Humboldt Motorsports for meeting trucks and handling pallets: “Week after week, as we navigated shifting print schedules and delivery logistics, one group in particular stepped up in a big way: Roger Kirkpatrick and his team at Humboldt Motorsports went above and beyond, meeting our trucks, unloading pallets and making sure papers got into the hands of our delivery drivers, no matter what time they arrived. Their steady hands and generous spirit kept us on track through the most unpredictable moments.”

The publisher credited NCJ’s internal staff with keeping the paper on schedule while production was moved off the North Coast. “Between Kirkpatrick’s crew and the remarkable flexibility of our North Coast Journal delivery team, the community never missed its paper. Every Thursday, the Journal made its way into racks, boxes, coffee shops and mailboxes across Humboldt. That’s what teamwork and community commitment look like,” Sanderson wrote, underscoring that weekly distribution continued despite logistical shifts.

Sanderson also acknowledged broader support that enabled the return to Western Web. “None of this would be possible without the dedication of our team, the collaboration of our fellow publishers, and the ongoing loyalty of you, our readers, advertisers and supporters. You’ve carried us through some tough years and reminded us this work still matters deeply.” She added a personal thank-you to Paul Scholl: “As we turn this next page, literally and figuratively, I want to thank Paul Scholl for believing in Humboldt’s press potential and the press and delivery teams that made the move back possible.”

The publisher’s note appears on the North Coast Journal site with the outlet’s tagline, “The North Coast Journal of Politics, People and Art,” and page elements that include “Share this:”, “Related” and a comment form with fields labeled “Comment”, “Name”, “Email”, “Website” and the site copy “Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked \”. The article page also contains an NCJ logo small version and is filed so that the note “appears in 2026 Pet Photo Contest.”

Sanderson closed the note with a direct appeal and signature: “Thank you for reading, for caring and for keeping local journalism alive.” Melissa Sanderson Publisher, North Coast Journal