These are the unsung heroes of this industry; the press/production team that works behind the walls of the Daily Freeman-Journal Office.

It’s not a big team; less than 20 people work throughout the day and night to handle the technical and physical aspects of printing newspapers, flyers and various publications that are delivered throughout the state of Iowa.

It’s pretty impressive.

The Daily Freeman-Journal has evolved since its first publications in the 1850s. It’s the oldest business in Webster City. The home-grown company is now owned by Ogden Publishing Company, out of Wheeling, West Virginia. It’s part of a corporation with operations in multiple states.

But the people in the Webster City operation are your neighbors. All but two live in Webster City. Those two live less than 15 miles from the city.

This group of employees works hard together to provide a product most towns cannot provide any more.

A local daily newspaper.

Six have been with the Daily Freeman Journal for more than 30 years. Two have been with the company for 45 years.

The printing operation runs into the midnight hours. The night crew usually wraps up about 3 a.m. When the printing is done, there are another five people who drive the printed material for distribution.

“It’s a small crew,” said Kristen Larson, night mailroom supervisor, “It’s like a family.”

Angie Anderson, plant manager, has been employed with the paper for 31 years as has Helen Coleman, office manager. With a corporation at the helm, efficiencies have changed the operations greatly since they began, but they still want to help the hometown customers.

Just ask them, but you might have to buy a subscription.

Like them, there is a bond that has been keeping this small industry running day and night.

The offices of the Daily Freeman Journal are minimal; the bulk of the building is in the production of printed materials. Here they print 4 newspapers that are owned by Ogden printing company out of Wheeling, PA; Two of those: the Fort Dodge Messenger and Marshalltown Times Republican print six days a week, The Daily Freeman-Journal prints 5 days a week; The Farm Journal is bi-weekly.

This team also publishes 43 other papers, mostly weekly or bi-weekly publications, in addition to special flyers, inserts and specialty publications.

The people who work here are dedicated. Some started straight out of high school, like Janice Park, who works in the mailroom, and Mark Neuhring, who is the Press Supervisor. Both work during the day. Steve Pannkuk started working the same year as Janice in 1980, tying her for the longest time working for the Ogden company. Pannkuk works the night shift in pre-press.

Rob Curley has been with the company since 1990, and works both maintenance and as a pressman. He began his career in Marshalltown in the mailroom, and wears several hats. He’s pretty candid about his history,

“I love my job.” he confirmed.

Many of these employees add additional tasks to the job descriptions as needed.

There are other stories, others keeping the printing company in business wuch as the other daytime employeesRoss Kleckner, John Riggs, and Cody McCollough. And the night-time crew that also includes Pressman Mike Segar, and Craig Bernard.

When looking for the newspaper after a storm, and finding it in your mailbox, its due to the dedication of the drivers who transport it to their distribution sites, like Patty Sann who is the Night Driver Supervisor, David Krogg, David Green and Marty Christensen.

The stories of these people make them unique. Almost all have lived in Webster City the majority of their lives. They are loyal to the community, they are loyal to the company.

They are loyal to each other.

When one is sick, another pitches in; when there is a night time shortage, someone from the daytime shift steps in. Starting times shift, and overlap according to what is needed each day.

And they work until the job is done.