About Us

The Herald's Rich History

WL Hunter founded the Wetumpka Democrat in 1896. Two years later he sold the paper to Howell Golson, and the Golson family went on to establish a thriving community paper that still serves the area.

The Golson's changed the paper’s name to the Weekly Herald and it quickly gained popularity and influence, chronicling the triumphs, struggles, and everyday stories of Wetumpka's citizens and served as a platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions.

The Golson family, beginning with Howell, built the Herald into a valued source of information and storytelling for the city. When Golson was killed in an automobile accident in 1916, his daughter Frances took over, becoming the first female editor/publisher. Frances sold to her brother Hunter in 1932, and the younger Golson further developed the printing side of the business becoming the first Alabama weekly paper with a modern linotype printing press.

In 1936, Frances and her brother-in-law Winton Bateman bought back into the Herald. Following Hunter’s death in 1942, his son Bill Golson moved from editor of the Tallassee Tribune to take over the Herald. The newspaper became a trusted voice, guiding the community through the turbulent times of two world wars, more flooding and fires. 

In the late morning of May 11, 1949, a spark from equipment in the Herald’s bindery department ignited a pile of waste papers. The fire grew quickly destroying the printing press and creating considerable damage to the Herald’s building. While numerous other papers were printed at the Wetumpka office, it was the Herald itself running through the press at the time of the fire. Although a day or so late, the Herald still published its weekly edition to the relief of its loyal readers.

Another of the Golson sisters, Florence, and her husband Hal Fisher stepped in to assist Bill Golson in the late 50s. Following Bill’s death, the Golson family sold the paper to John & Ellen Harris. After John’s death in 1979, Ellen assumed full management of the Herald until selling to former Alex City Outlook publisher Kim Price in 2003. 

Price, who started his career as a paperboy for the Outlook, used his extensive newspaper experience to push the Herald into the 21st century. He managed the paper for almost a decade until his death in 2012. Tallapoosa Publishers purchased the paper in 2012 and continues the heritage of solid local journalism today.

A community needs news and Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc is proud to serve 165,000 households each month through our community newspapers, magazines and digital platforms covering Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties.  We are a dedicated media team committed to providing local content to our loyal readers and viewers through excellent journalism, award-winning advertising, and community involvement. We promise to be ingrained in our communities through local reporting and community events while continuing to grow our digital and social media presence.

Our Mission Statement

The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity; to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community; to promote business; to provide for the welfare of our employees; to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.