'North County Times' Offers To Buy Out 20 Newsroom Staffers

By Joe Strupp Published: February 14, 2008 10:55 AM ET

San Diego: The North County Times of Escondido, Calif., an 86,000-circulation daily, is seeking 20 newsroom staffers to take a buyout package offered late Wednesday, according to a memo from Editor Kent Davy.

The memo, obtained by E&P, says the buyouts are a result of "turbulent economic winds" plaguing the newspaper industry."Unfortunately, the stiff headwinds now require us to significantly shrink the size of the newsroom," Davy writes. "

Accordingly, we are seeking voluntary buyouts from up to 20 of our staff members."According to another document sent to employees with the memo, the buyouts are available to editorial employees only.

Those who choose to take the offer must decide by Feb. 25.The offer includes one week's salary for every year of service up to 26 weeks. The paper is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa.