Reading the Blacksburg Times and Cherokee Tribune in South Carolina
What these two newspapers cover and where to find them
The Blacksburg Times and Cherokee Tribune are community newspapers serving rural South Carolina, each with a distinct coverage area and local focus. The Blacksburg Times serves Blacksburg and surrounding Cherokee County communities, while the Cherokee Tribune covers a broader region of upstate South Carolina. Both papers publish local news, school information, obituaries, and community events—the kind of reporting that larger regional papers often skip.
You can find these papers in print at local businesses, libraries, and newsstands in their service areas. Both also maintain online presences where you can read current and archived articles, though print editions remain the primary distribution method. Subscription options vary by paper and typically cost less than major daily newspapers.
Key Takeaways
- The Blacksburg Times focuses on Cherokee County news, while the Cherokee Tribune covers a wider upstate South Carolina region.
- Both papers publish weekly or on a regular schedule with local news, school coverage, and community announcements you won't find in larger papers.
- Print copies are available at local businesses and libraries, and both papers have websites where you can read articles online.
- These newspapers are primary sources for obituaries, legal notices, and local government meeting coverage in their communities.
- Subscription rates are typically affordable, and many readers combine print and online access.
What local news these papers actually report
Community newspapers like the Blacksburg Times and Cherokee Tribune focus on stories that matter to their specific readers: city council and school board meetings, local business openings and closings, high school sports, and profiles of longtime residents. They cover the decisions that affect property taxes, school funding, and local development—information you need to understand what's happening in your area.
Both papers also publish extensive obituary sections, which serve as a historical record and a way for families to announce services. Legal notices—foreclosures, public hearings, bid announcements—appear in these papers because state law requires them to run in newspapers of general circulation in the county. If you're researching a property or tracking a local government decision, these papers are often the official record.
How to get a print subscription
Subscription methods differ slightly between the two papers. Contact the Blacksburg Times or Cherokee Tribune directly by phone or through their websites to set up a print subscription. Most community papers offer weekly delivery to your home, and rates typically run between $30 and $60 per year depending on whether you want print only or print plus online access.
If you don't want a full subscription, single copies are usually available at grocery stores, gas stations, libraries, and newspaper boxes throughout their service areas. Many readers pick up a copy weekly at a familiar location rather than subscribing.
Reading these papers online
Both the Blacksburg Times and Cherokee Tribune maintain websites where you can read current articles for free or with limited free access per month. Some content may require a subscription to view in full, though most breaking news and community announcements remain free to read. Archive searches let you look back at past coverage, which is useful if you're researching a property, a business, or a local issue.
Email newsletters are another way to stay current. Many community papers send weekly digests of the top stories to subscribers, so you get the main news without having to visit the website. Check their websites to see what email options they offer.
Why local papers matter for South Carolina history and records
Community newspapers are primary historical sources for South Carolina. If you're researching your family's history, a local property, or how your town developed, these papers contain details you won't find anywhere else: who opened the first store on Main Street, which families lived where, what the town looked like fifty years ago. Libraries and historical societies often keep bound copies or microfilm of back issues going back decades.
The papers also document local government decisions, school policies, and community conflicts as they happened. Reading the Blacksburg Times or Cherokee Tribune from a particular year tells you what people were worried about, what they celebrated, and how the community changed over time.
How these papers connect to larger South Carolina news
Local community papers and larger regional outlets like the Greenville News or The State newspaper serve different purposes. The Blacksburg Times and Cherokee Tribune report on hyperlocal issues—your school board, your city council, your neighbors—while regional papers cover statewide politics, business, and sports. Many readers subscribe to both: a community paper for what affects their daily life, and a regional paper for broader South Carolina context.
During major events—a natural disaster, a significant crime, a statewide election—community papers often provide the ground-level reporting that regional papers then pick up and expand. The local paper is usually first to report what happened in your town.
Finding archives and back issues
If you need to look up an article from months or years ago, start with the newspaper's website. Most have searchable archives going back several years. For older issues, contact the newspaper directly or visit your local library, which often keeps microfilm or bound copies of community papers. The Cherokee County Library and other local branches typically have archives available for public use.
Genealogy websites like Ancestry.com sometimes include digitized newspaper archives from South Carolina papers, though coverage varies. If you're researching a specific date or event, calling the newspaper's office is often the fastest way to track down what you're looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the Blacksburg Times or Cherokee Tribune online without a subscription?
Most articles are available free on their websites, though some papers limit how many articles you can read per month before a paywall appears. Subscribing to the print edition often includes online access. Check each paper's website to see their current free access policy.
Where can I find obituaries from these papers?
Obituaries appear in the print edition and on the newspaper's website. You can search by name on their sites, or call the newspaper directly if you're looking for a specific person. Libraries also keep obituary records from local papers.
Do these papers cover events outside their main town?
Yes. The Cherokee Tribune covers a wider region of upstate South Carolina beyond just Blacksburg, including surrounding communities and county-level news. Check their website to see the full coverage area.
How far back do the online archives go?
Archive depth varies by paper. Most maintain searchable archives for at least five to ten years online. For older articles, contact the newspaper or visit your local library, which may have microfilm or bound copies going back decades.
Can I place a legal notice or announcement in these papers?
Yes. Contact the newspaper's office directly to place a classified ad, legal notice, or community announcement. Rates and deadlines vary, so ask about their current pricing and publication schedule.