The LaSalle News was a local newspaper which focused on the current events of LaSalle, Ontario, and Sandwich West. Beginning publication in January 1948, and free during its first year, the LaSalle News was edited and published weekly by Earl O’Gorman, of 415 Victoria Road (now Victory Street). Known as an independent paper, the LaSalle News was “news about people we all know” (LaSalle News: January 8, 1949, p.1). The paper covered topics ranging from municipal politics, including town council meetings, to local community events, accidents, marriages, births and deaths.
Earl O’Gorman was born October 19, 1905, in LaSalle, where he remained his entire life. He first operated the O’Gorman Printing Shop in Windsor, and later published the Home Journal in Sandwich (Windsor Star: December 29, 1960, p. 5). Once he opened his own printing shop in LaSalle, O’Gorman was approached by the LaSalle Chamber of Commerce and asked to publish the LaSalle News (LaSalle News: 1961, January 6, p.1).
O’Gorman was an active member of the community. He belonged to the LaSalle Chamber of Commerce, attended Sacred Heart Church in LaSalle, founded the LaSalle Youth Centre, and was also a market gardener (Windsor Star: December 29, 1960, p. 5).
O’Gorman died suddenly on December 29, 1960, at the age of 55, and is buried in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery (LaSalle News: January 6, 1961, p. 1).
His son, Ray O’Gorman, continued the printing business and the publication of the LaSalle News. However, it ceased publication in late 1963 (Windsor Star: November 14, 1974, p. 36).
Copyright: this newspaper is in the public domain.
