As a part of our goal to operate for the public benefit, Civic Spark Media and the Western Wayne News will provide regular updates to the community on our operations, health and future plans. This is our latest community report, reflecting activities for both the Western Wayne News newspaper and the WayneCounty.info news aggregator in the third quarter of 2026.
See also: 2026Q2, 2026Q1, 2025Q4, 2025Q3, 2025Q2, 2025Q1, 2024, 2023Q4, 2023Q3, 2023Q2, 2023Q1, 2022Q4.
By the Numbers
Q3 2026 Finances
These financial reports are unaudited and unofficial, but we believe them to be complete and accurate as of this publishing. Rounded to the nearest hundred.
- Income
- Newspaper subscriptions & individual sales: $60,200
- Advertising sales: $57,600
- Donations: $15,000
- Miscellaneous income: $700
- Expenses
- Employee payroll & contractors: $78,800
- Newspaper printing: $19,300
- Postage & delivery: $8,900
- Rent, office expenses & utilities: $8,700
- Software and online services: $4,400
- Credit card processing & bank fees: $2,100
- Advertising & marketing: $1,800
- Travel: $0
- Other expenses: $0
- Insurance: $0
- Charitable contributions: $0
- Depreciation & amortization: $0
- Legal and accounting service fees: $0
Other Metrics of Interest
As of October 27, 2026
- Western Wayne News subscriber households
- Print: 3,100
- Online: 990
- Western Wayne News retail location copies distributed weekly: 475
- WayneCounty.info daily newsletter subscribers: 1,010
- Civic Spark Media team
- Full-Time Employees: 4
- Part-Time Employees: 1
- Contractors: 17
Notes
- In August 2026, WWN’s rented Cambridge City main office experienced catastrophic flooding. Between the destruction of our furniture and office equipment, not having insurance that covered flood damage or related business interruption, and uncertainty about possibilities for renovating and reopening that office, we were forced to salvage what little we could and end our lease. WWN had a secondary/backup space in downtown Richmond that is now our main workspace, though we are not staffed to be open to the public.
- Also in August 2026, we were fortunate to receive $15,000 in flood recovery grants from the Institute for Nonprofit News and the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Bridge Grant Program. These funds helped to cover our equipment losses, response/recovery expenses and business disruption expenses.
- In September 2026, for the first time in its 35-year history, the Western Wayne News received the highest honor of the Hoosier State Press Association’s annual awards contest, the Blue Ribbon award. Judges give the award to only one daily and one non-daily Indiana newspaper of any size to recognize outstanding overall editorial quality.