Marshall Advocate

Strohm Newspapers, Inc. traces its humble beginnings back to a 4-page monthly tabloid newpaper known as the West Union Shopper-Gazette. Founders Gary and Melody Strohm had moved their young family to the West Union area and felt that the area needed a source of factual information. With the encouragement of Joe and Pat McCammon, owners of the Marshall Choice, the couple started a monthly tabloid n

ewspaper in 1993 to accomplish this goal. Their equipment consisted of a 486 computer, copier and laser printer and layout table-all in their bedroom. In 1994 they began to publish the Shopper-Gazette weekly and added another small tabloid, the Martinsville Gazette, which was also printed weekly. In November of 1996 the couple started a weekly tabloid newspaper, the Marshall Advocate, to serve the Marshall area. Two years later the format was changed to broadsheet. Throughout this time, the newspapers were distributed free and the young company relied on advertisements for income. The staff of Strohm Newspapers strives to pack each issue with local news and features.