The Webster-Kirkwood Times, South County Times and West End Word newspapers have more than four decades of proven experience promoting an informed citizenry and serving the needs of those in its communities. The first issue of The Webster Times was published on July 13, 1978, and was a monthly newspaper. In April 1979, the paper became the Webster-Kirkwood Times and published every two weeks. The
paper began its weekly publication on Friday, April 13, 1984. The Webster-Kirkwood Times serves the municipalities that comprise the Kirkwood and Webster Groves School districts. Zip codes include all of 63119 and 63122, and a large portion of 63131. That paper, now called the South County Times, covers the Affton and Lindbergh School Districts and some points beyond. Zip codes include all of 63126 and 63127, as well as large portions of 63026, 63123 and 63128. The two papers offer a combined weekly distribution in southwest St. Louis County of 76,000 papers. Residents in the circulation area receive the paper free of charge, and it is thrown on their lawns every Thursday evening or Friday morning. A number of stores in the area receive storestacks of the paper as well, allowing nearby residents to pick up a copy of the paper, even if they don't receive it at their home. In 2011, the Times purchased the West End Word newspaper. The West End Word is published every other Friday and has served the Central West End neighborhoods of St. With a circulation of 15,400, it also serves University City, Clayton, and portions of Brentwood, Maplewood and Richmond Heights. The paper is delivered to homes in parts of those areas, and also includes storestacks. In late March 2020, the Times and Word newspapers were forced to halt print publications for all three papers due to the pandemic. A few staff members continued to produce online content for the Times over the next several months. When longtime owner and former Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc. Publisher Dwight Bitikofer made it known the papers would be shut down permanently, a group of employees stepped forward to purchase the paper. On Sept. 8, 2020, longtime employees Randy Drilingas, Kent Tentschert and Jaime Mowers, along with Eric Tentschert (Kent's brother), became the new owners of Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc., bringing the Webster-Kirkwood Times back in print on Sept. 25, 2020. Drilingas serves as publisher, Tentschert is the general manager and Mowers is the editor-in-chief. The new ownership team also hopes to bring the South County Times and West End Word papers back in print at a later date. The Times is located at 122 W. Lockwood, 2nd floor, across from CJ Muggs Restaurant in Webster Groves. The phone number is 314-968-2699. Facebook Comment Policy: The Webster-Kirkwood Times Newspapers wishes to offer a place for healthy and diverse comments, debate, and conversation on our social media platforms. We have no wish to censor any comments, however, please refrain from posting any comments that contain abusive, profane, or hate-filled language, or solicitation and advertising for any products and services. Comments submitted containing those mentioned above will be deleted. (Examples of issues would be, but not limited to, racial, gender, and ethnic slurs or jokes; profane or sexually explicit language.)
