Michael Happ, 21, buys struggling community newspaper, keeps one-man operation going

A small-town newspaper is alive, because a 21-year-old with little journalism experience decided to make one of his dreams come true. Michael Happ was still in college studying political science and theology at Creighton University when his father informed him of an opportunity to buy the weekly Beacon-Observer in the Elm Creek, Neb., pop. 913. Happ jumped at the chance, buying the paper in March, and putting out his first edition in May, Jessica Kokesh reports for the Kearney Hub in Kearney, Neb. (Hub photo by Jessica Kokesh)

Happ, who wrote for his local paper throughout junior high and worked in the communications office for Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle during college, told Kokesh owning a newspaper has been a dream of his since he was young. He told her, “I tried to talk myself out of it, but if it’s my dream, I better go for it,. I was standing at Ninth and Harney in Omaha when I made the offer. It was pretty intense.”

Happ bought the Beacon-Observer building, "and built an apartment for himself in the back room where the printing press used to be," Kokesh writes. "He said he hopes to introduce online coverage once things have slowed down, and plans to redesign the Beacon-Observer when he’s more familiar with the design software." He also said he wants to expand the coverage area. Happ told Kokesh, “Everyone wants to talk and I have to keep apologizing to them because the phone keeps ringing.” (Read more)