About the Statesman-Examiner

For more than a century, the Statesman-Examiner has served as the trusted news source for Colville and the surrounding region. From covering local government and community milestones to reporting on sports, business, and events, our mission is to keep readers informed, connected, and engaged.

Rooted in local ownership and dedicated to fair, timely, and relevant reporting, the Statesman-Examiner continues its long tradition of telling the stories that matter most to our community.

We are a family-owned community newspaper committed to high-quality journalism that is factual, balanced, and relevant to readers throughout northeastern Washington. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be a trusted reporter of record for the region — a role we approach with constancy and integrity.

Based in Colville, the largest city in the three northeastern counties of Washington and the seat of Stevens County government, the Statesman-Examiner intentionally includes coverage of every community across Stevens County and eastern Ferry County.

Along with its weekly shopper, The Sun, the Statesman-Examiner is printed by TPC Printing on one of the best presses in the West, ensuring the highest quality newspaper with full color on every page.

In an age of digital connectivity, a locally owned community newspaper occupies a unique niche that cannot be replicated — one that remains vital to rural communities that might otherwise be left in news deserts. The Statesman-Examiner is proud to fulfill this role in support of strong, vibrant, and informed communities.

1896

William D. Allen launches Springdale Statesman → merges with Index to form the Statesman-Index.

1913-1940's

Ownership of the Colville Examiner transitions: Dotty, Sperry, Collins, Hoeft, Price, Scott.

1890

Colville Republican founded by Emmett Clark.

1948

Statesman-Index and Colville Examiner merge and become Statesman-Examiner

2024

Statesman-Examiner, Deer Park Tribune, and The Sun sold to Gabriel Cruden, restoring local ownership.

1992

Graham family sells to American Publishing Company

(later Hollinger Inc.).

1893

Renamed

Colville Index under

J.H. Young.

1907

Colville Examiner founded by J.C. Harrington.

1947

Colville Examiner sold to Charles T. Graham.

1983

Charles Graham passes; son Patrick Graham continues the Statesman-Examiner

2000

Horizon Publications acquires the publication,

Statesman-Examiner

A long Local History

The Statesman-Examiner has a long and rich history in Stevens County, tracing its roots back to the 1890s.

In August 1890, Emmett Clark of Portland founded the Colville Republican. By 1891, the paper was edited by E. L. Jamieson, who sold it in 1893 to J. H. Young. Young soon renamed it the Colville Index. Ownership shifted again in 1895 to John Jay Graves, and in 1896 to John L. Metcalfe, who steered the paper toward the People’s Party.

Meanwhile, in February 1896, William D. Allen launched the Springdale Statesman in Springdale, Washington. That fall, Allen purchased the Colville Index and merged it with his Statesman, creating the Statesman-Index.

On October 31, 1907, J. C. Harrington published the first issue of the Colville Examiner, launched as a Democratic paper. For decades, the Statesman-Index and Colville Examiner operated independently under various owners.

In May 1948, the two papers merged to form the Statesman-Examiner, with an initial circulation of 4,000.

The paper remained under the Graham family until 1992, when it was sold to American Publishing Company (later Hollinger Inc.). In 2000, Horizon Publications acquired the paper.

Most recently, in 2024, the Statesman-Examiner, Deer Park Tribune, and The Sun were purchased by Gabriel Cruden, returning the paper to local ownership.

Today, the Statesman-Examiner proudly continues its legacy as the voice of Colville and northeastern Washington — serving readers both in print and online with trusted, community-focused journalism since 1896.