The Eagle flies under new ownership: Nelson family sells local newspaper to Brian Fleming

Last Thursday, The Wahkiakum County Eagle was sold by the Nelson family to Longview businessman Brian Fleming. Jacob Nelson, whose father, Rick, and grandfather, Bob had been the previous owners of the newspaper, has served as publisher for The Eagle since Rick's passing in 2023. Rick's widow, MaryAnn Nelson, along with children Jacob and Jamie, have served as the paper's owners. "For Rick's father (Bob) and for Rick, the newspaper was one way that they served the community," said MaryAnn. "They thought of it as taking care of their community. I see that what Bob and Rick built is going to continue under Brian. The community is still going to be served by The Wahkiakum County Eagle. I was worried it would have to just shut down at some point. I didn't want to do that because I knew that wasn't what my husband would want. I'm thrilled that we continue; we keep going. Once The Eagle's in you, it's always there. I am so appreciative that the staff are all there doing the work and the paper will continue to serve our community."

Regarding the change in ownership, Jacob said, "I'm delighted to hand my duties as publisher over to Brian Fleming. The Eagle has been the heartbeat of my family's life since my grandparents took it over in 1963. My own connection started when I was six months old. My grandfather asked my father to move back to Cathlamet to help him out at the paper for a bit. That 'a bit' turned into a lifelong commitment to informing, connecting, and supporting the community. When I took over after my father's death, I knew it couldn't be a forever thing. I've built a wonderful life and career in Seattle, and that's not compatible with publishing a weekly newspaper three hours away from my home. My goals have been to complete the Nelson family's contribution to Wahkiakum County's local news and find a way for The Eagle to continue serving the community beyond us."

Though living in Seattle, Jacob has still found himself much attuned to the dynamic of the media in smaller communities like Wahkiakum County. "Local news, especially in rural locations, has been in decline for years," said Jacob. "The Eagle is still using the traditional business model of advertising supporting news for a print subscriber base. This is much harder to make work today than it was 30 years ago, but the paper has never been a lucrative business for my family. Dad paid the staff first and then paid himself what worked. The focus has always been to serve the community. I believe Wahkiakum County has unique properties that not only can help keep a paper like The Eagle going but help it grow stronger as well. There are no easy solutions here, though. The entire industry is still searching for paths forward. New ideas and approaches will be necessary. The staff have done a wonderful job of starting this process. I thank them for their hard work and commitment."

Regarding the paper's new publisher, Jacob said, "Brian and I have gotten to know each other over the last couple years. He's a creative, out-of-the-box thinker, and I think that's exactly what we need. His love of restoring and using old things is palpable; certainly, The Eagle counts as one of these. Brian's love for this community and the region is also clear. His leadership will bring changes because it must. Change is necessary to survive. I am confident everything Brian does will all be aligned with a goal of supporting and strengthening local news in our community.

I'm delighted to hand the baton to him, and am excited to see what he and the team achieve!" Taking the "baton" as the new owner/publisher of The Eagle, Fleming said, "Writing wasn't my thing growing up. I hated English class and wasn't thrilled about school in general. I grew up in a family that operated a machine shop, and this allowed me to be totally immersed in the industrial arts. Machining, blacksmithing, and woodworking; these were the types of things that I grew up with and held my attention."

Growing up on the bluffs above Stella, Fleming considers the lower Columbia as his home. "I think I would have fit into the world better if I had been born a hundred years earlier," he said. "What I would have given to have experienced the world before Ocean Beach Hwy. and had the chance to commute down river by steamboat or ride a logging train deep into the old growth forest."

Though not experiencing "the steamboat or logging train" lifestyle, Fleming, having gone through two divorces, has still found adventure in his life, including raising his three kids. Through his adventures, Fleming met Columbia River Reader Publisher Sue Piper. "The Reader" is a monthly lifestyle publication with a focus on life on the lower Columbia. "Sue featured me in the Reader in an article that Hal Calbom had written about me and my floatplane," said Fleming. "I started flying when I was 19, and it has been a consistent love of mine. Since the publication of that first article, Sue has encouraged me to write about my adventures. Occasionally, one pops up in the Reader. I had never done anything like this before. I was typically always head down and pushing through a project, making little time to reflect on where I had been. The introspection that writing has brought into my life has changed me."

This "change" coinciding with Nelson's passing in 2023, Fleming became aware of The Eagle's need for "a new steward." Fleming said, "Over the last couple of years, Jacob Nelson and I have gotten to know each other, and I started to get a real handle on what it would mean to become the publisher of The Eagle. With an endless number of logistical obstacles to keep my mind engaged, I took the plunge, and here I am."

Fleming's "plunge" included brushing up on The Eagle's history. "For 134 years, this paper has gone to press," he said. "I do not take this fact lightly. I am honored to have been entrusted by the Nelson family to enter into the line of succession of this historic paper. Special recognition needs to be given to Jacob Nelson for assembling such a fine team and preparing the paper organizationally to where it could be handed off after Rick's passing."

With the "hand off" having taken place, Fleming assures, "The Eagle is not going anywhere. We live in very interesting times, and there has never been a more crucial time to have something to turn to that we can trust. The Eagle is going to continue to avoid reporting on national and world news. We are going to focus on the state issues that affect both sides of the river, Wahkiakum County, the counties that border us, and the communities within them. We are not going to let the world swallow us up. We are going to grow and get stronger as the internet and media consolidation try to kill off publications like The Eagle."

In true "new owner fashion," Fleming concluded, "If you are not a subscriber, please become one. If you have a neighbor who you think could use some connection in their life - or a friend who has moved away - buy them a subscription. If you have something to say, by all means, write a letter to the editor or submit an article. If you know of a community event coming up, take out an advertisement; or, at least make sure you let us know so we can get it on the calendar. If you own a business and value the idea of increased sales, then you should be advertising in The Eagle. If you have something languishing in your yard that you want to go away, place a classified ad in The Eagle and sell it. Let the paper work for you; because, without you, it doesn't exist."