04/16/2026
Please be advised that the News Observer's offices at 106 E. Second St., in Crossett are closed as this ownership transition happens. We will advise you of the newspaper's new business location in the coming days.
Three southeast Arkansas publications have been saved from closure.
Effective today, CherryRoad Media has acquired the Ashley News Observer and the Ashley County Shopper in Crossett and the Chicot County Spectator in Lake Village.
The Ashley News Observer was founded in 1950, when the Crossett Home News and the North Crossett Freelance Observer were combined. The Chicot County Spectator has been publishing since 1906 and is one of the oldest businesses in Lake Village.
With this purchase, CherryRoad Media’s Arkansas holdings increased to eight publications. The company also publishes newspapers in Corning, Marshall, Rector, Pocahontas and Salem.
CherryRoad Media CEO Jeremy Gulban serves on the Arkansas Press Association board of directors.
“We are happy to have been able to get to a solution that keeps local newspapers in these communities,” said Gulban. "This is a good step, but we need help from the communities to support us with subscriptions and advertising to make this work. Thank you to the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation and the Arkansas Press Association for providing bridge support while we worked through this.”
