The Similkameen News Leader will cease publication this year following nearly 20 years of service to the region as an independent newspaper. The final newspaper will be dated July 26, 2016.

According to News Leader Owner/Publisher George Elliott there are a number of factors. They include a sagging local economy, changes in the print media industry in general and the impact of social media and free online advertising websites. “It’s time for us to look at doing something different with our lives while we still can,” Elliott says. “We are not bitter or angry about this at all. We need a break and along with it, a change or transition into something new in our lives.”