{{Short description|Defunct American newspaper in California, US}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Clovis Independent | caption = | type = Weekly newspaper | format = | owners = The McClatchy Company | founder = May Case<br/> Spurgeon S. Case | editor = Patti J. Lippert | publishing_country = United States | circulation = | headquarters = Clovis, California | website = {{URL|clovisindependent.co}} | language = English | ceased_publication = {{End date and age|2008}} | founded = {{Start date and age|1919}} | issn = 1068-5944 | oclc = 528728711 }}
The '''''Clovis Independent''''' was an American newspaper founded in 1919 that ceased its publication in 2008, under its last editor, Patti J. Lippert.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A181370782/STND?sid=STND&xid=1870c37b.|title=Thanks for the memories|last=Lippert|first=Patti|date=June 27, 2008|work=The Clovis Independent|access-date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> It served Clovis, California and Fresno County. The end of the paper was part of a larger cost-cutting effort by The McClatchy Company, which resulted in layoffs across many McClatchy papers, including the ''Fresno Bee'' and ''Sacramento Bee''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Fresno Bee' Reveals Its Share of McClatchy Cuts |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/fresno-bee-reveals-its-share-of-mcclatchy-cuts/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2018-10-24 |website=Editor & Publisher |language=en-US|date=June 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113212729/https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/fresno-bee-reveals-its-share-of-mcclatchy-cuts/|archive-date=November 13, 2019|last=|first=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UPDATE: McClatchy Cutbacks Deeper at Some Papers |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/update-mcclatchy-cutbacks-deeper-at-some-papers/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2018-10-24 |website=Editor & Publisher |language=en-US|date=June 17, 2008|last=Strupp|first=Joe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113213042/https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/update-mcclatchy-cutbacks-deeper-at-some-papers/|archive-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>
== History == In 1919, the ''Clovis Independent'' was established by Spurgeon S. Case and May Case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1919 |title=New Paper Starts |work=The Selma Enterprise |pages=8}}</ref><ref name="Rehart 1996">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cCpk_P3d-h0C&q=Clovis+independent+1892&pg=PA257|title=The Valley's Legends & Legacies|last=Rehart|first=Catherine Morison|date=1996|publisher=Quill Driver Books|isbn=9781884995125|language=en}}</ref> Mrs. Case had built a reputation as a reporter in Purcell, Oklahoma at the ''Register.''<ref name="Rehart 1996" />
In 1930, an explosion and resulting fire destroyed the ''Independent'''s building and printing machinery.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 6, 1930 |title=Clovis Independent Destroyed by Blaze |work=The San Francisco Examiner |pages=17}}</ref> In 1937, the Cases sold the paper to Myron A. Hinkley.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 4, 1937 |title=Notice |work=The Ripon Record |pages=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bos |first=Peg |date=2018-09-18 |title=Let's Talk Clovis: The Clovis Independent; May 7, 1953 |url=https://www.clovisroundup.com/lets-talk-clovis-the-clovis-independent-may-7-1953/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Clovis Roundup |language=en-US}}</ref> May Case continued to work for the paper until her death.<ref name=":0" />
In 1942, Hinkley purchased the ''Clovis Tribune'' from Fred H. Weigel and absorbed it into his paper.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1942 |title=Newspapers Of Clovis Are Consolidated |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1942 |title=Branching Out |work=The Ripon Record |pages=4}}</ref> In 1949, ''Independent'' founder S.S. Case died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 7, 1949 |title=Spurgeon S. Case, Early Day Publisher, Succumbs In Clovis |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=17}}</ref> In July 1959, Hinkley sold the paper to Anthony Turano.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1959 |title=Clovis Newspaper Sold By Owners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798703/clovis_newspaper_sold_by_owners/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Eureka Humboldt Standard |pages=23 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |agency=United Press International}}</ref>
The City of Clovis designated October 8, 1959, as May Case Day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1959 |title=Newswoman Honored In Clovis |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |pages=18 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> At that time, she also received a citation from the U.S. Treasury Department for purchasing the first U.S. Treasury bonds after they were made available to the public and for inspiring others to alos buy these bonds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepard |first=Bernard A. |date=November 23, 1959 |title=May Case is Oldest U.S. Active Newspaperwoman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798861/may_case_is_oldest_us_active/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=The Crowley Post-Signal |location=Crowley, Louisiana |pages=13 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1964, she was named "Newspaper Girl of the Year" at the California Press Women's annual meeting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1964 |title=Newspaper Girl of The Year |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/amy-c-other-articles-clipping-may-22-1964-880790/ |work=Austin Daily Herald |location=Austin, Minnesota |pages=1 |via=NewspaperArchive.com}}</ref> In 1967, May Case died at the age of 93. At that time she was known as the "oldest working newspaperwoman in the United States."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=September 23, 1967 |title=Obituary {{!}} May Case |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798472/may_case/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Daily News |location=New York City, New York |pages=400 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |agency=United Press International}}</ref>
In 1968, Russ Mazzei, owner of the ''Clovis Free Press'', purchased the ''Independent'' and merged the two papers under the ''Independent'' name.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 7, 1968 |title=Sale of Clovis Independent is Disclosed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798632/sale_of_clovis_independent_is_disclosed/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=17 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1975, Mazzei founded the Clovis Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bos |first=Peg |date=January 13, 2016 |title="Let's Talk Clovis" 1975 Clovis Citizens' Hall of Fame |url=http://www.clovisroundup.com/lets-talk-clovis-1975-clovis-citizens-hall-fame/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223075534/https://clovisroundup.com/lets-talk-clovis-1975-clovis-citizens-hall-fame/ |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Clovis Roundup |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1977, former owner Hinkley died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 9, 1977 |title=Former Clovis Publisher Myron Hinkley Dies At 87 |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=19}}</ref> In 1978, Mazzei was sued for libel by Fresno County District Attorney William A. Smith and Clovis Police Captain Gino Pishione. In turn, he sued them for allegedly violating his civil rights and claimed the two planned to launch a rival paper.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1978 |title=News In Brief {{!}} The State |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798741/a_clovis_newspaper_publisher_sued_the/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=2 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1983, Mazzei lost in court and a jury awarded Pishione $33,000 in damages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1983 |title=Policeman wins libel award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24799864/policeman_wins_libel_award/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Santa Maria Times |pages=3 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |agency=United Press International}}</ref>
In 1979, McClatchy acquired the ''Independent.''<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 3, 1979 |title=McClatchy buys Clovis Paper |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title="The McClatchy Company." International Directory of Company Histories.|last=Pederson|first=Jay P.|publisher=St. James Press|year=2016|location=Farmington Hills, MI}}</ref> In 1996, the paper's publisher, Earl Wright Jr., arranged for the football team of the town of Clovis, California to play the football team from the town of Clovis, New Mexico.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1996 |title=Towns share name, love of prep football - Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24798811/towns_share_name_love_of_prep_football/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Statesman Journal |pages=24 |language=en |publication-place=Salem, Oregon |via=Newspaper.com}}</ref> The paper published its last issue on June 27, 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippert |first=Patti J. |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Thanks for the memories {{!}} The Clovis Independent proudly captures your way of life for 103 years |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=KA1}}</ref> In response, Marine Kenny Melchor and his wife Donna founded a new paper called the ''Clovis Roundup.'' It ceased in February 2026 after the owner suffered from health issues. In April 2026, Terry Wild founded ''The Clovis Times,'' a spiritual successor to both the ''Independent'' and the ''Roundup.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mora |first=James |date=April 7, 2026 |title=The Clovis Times sets to be the new newspaper in Clovis |url=https://kmph.com/news/local/the-clovis-times-sets-to-be-the-new-newspaper-in-clovis |access-date=2026-04-08 |website=KMPH |language=en}}</ref>
== Awards == The newspaper placed second in in-depth reporting category in the California Newspaper Publishers Association's annual Better Newspapers Contest in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1987 |title=Leader honored by CNPA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24799937/leader_honored_by_cnpa/ |access-date=2018-10-24 |work=Oakdale Leader |pages=1 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It won first place for sports coverage and first-place sports story in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2006 |title=Bee wins awards in eight categories |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=B1}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Official website|https://clovisindependent.co}}{{McClatchy|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clovis Independent}} Category:1919 establishments in California Category:2008 disestablishments in California Category:Defunct newspapers published in California Category:McClatchy publications Category:Mass media in Fresno County, California Category:Newspapers established in 1919 Category:Newspapers disestablished in 2008 Category:San Joaquin Valley