On September 14, 2016

Catherine Nelson leaves Rutland Herald

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org
Catherine Nelson, publisher of the Rutland Herald, is leaving the company and retiring, according to an email sent to employees Monday, Sept. 12. The move comes in the middle of negotiations to sell the company, which includes the Times Argus, to Maine newspaper publishers Reade Brower and Chip Harris, co-founders of Upper Valley Press in New Hampshire.
In the email, Herald Editor-in-Chief Rob Mitchell said, “As part of this transition, Catherine Nelson has decided to leave the company and is retiring.”
Nelson could not be reached for comment.
Nelson joined the company in 2006 as publisher of the New England Business Journals, which the Herald acquired in 2003. She quickly rose up the company’s ranks. In 2007 Nelson was named vice president and general manager of the Herald and the Times Argus. She was later promoted to CEO, and earlier this year, publisher after the paper’s owner John Mitchell stepped down.
At the time she took over as publisher the paper was facing a number of challenges including a decline in circulation and ad revenue. According to a Herald story in December 2015 announcing Nelson’s appointment, circulation had declined from a peak of 25,000 several years ago to 11,800. In 2015 the Herald announced that it would no longer publish the monthly New England business journals.
In the 2015 story Nelson was quoted telling staff that the industry had experienced a difficult 10 years, “But just like the Rutland community, we have a renaissance, and we think we’re going in the right way.”
More recently the paper has cut back on its print edition from seven days a week to four. In the weeks before the sale to Brower and Harris was announced, the Herald ran its own story on financial issues at the paper and silence from upper management on what was happening. The publication of that story led to the firing of news editor Alan Keays. Days later it was announced that the paper would be sold.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Superstar Six-Pack construction hits new phase as helicopters fly in concrete

July 3, 2025
KILLINGTON — Construction of the new Superstar six-pack chairlift has reached an exciting phase this summer, with helicopters now flying in concrete for the tower and terminal footings. On Wednesday, July 1, a helicopter was seen flying to Killington Resort with a payload of concrete. Killington Resort is replacing its iconic Superstar Express quad with…

Local road construction plans for 4th of July week

July 2, 2025
The following is a weekly report that lists its planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of June 30. Most construction projects will pause work for the 4th of July `Local roads in Rutland and Windsor County, include:     I-89 Royalton Construction continues Monday through…

Ribbon cuttings in Ludlow and Proctorsville highlight local business growth

July 2, 2025
A pair of ribbon cuttings on June 20 held by the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC) marked a day of celebration for two local businesses and offered a boost of momentum to the region’s small business economy. In Ludlow, Aubuchon ACE Hardware unveiled its newly renovated store on Main Street with a grand…

Cirque Series celebrates successful Killington debut

July 2, 2025
By Polly Mikula The Cirque Series broke trail in New England with two new races. On June 7, runners raced up Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire and this past Saturday, June 28, they tackled “The Beast of the East,” Killington Mountain. Cirque is also adding Crystal Mountain, Washington, to its national lineup of eight…