DERBY – “Vermont’s Northland Journal” has ceased publication following its July 2026 issue, bringing an end to almost 25 years of the publication which shared the history of the Northeast Kingdom, publisher Scott Wheeler told the community in an article appearing recently in the “North Star Monthly” and on social media.
courtesy photo
“We are now consolidating with The North Star Monthly . , , ” he said. “If you are a subscriber to the Journal, you’ll get your first issue of the North Star in early August.”
In the April issue Wheeler had noted changes were likely coming to the Journal and reports he “reached out to Justin Lavely, the publisher of the North Star in Danville. We’d been long-time admirers of one another’s works and shared a passion for Northeast Kingdom history. Knowing I was ready to retire the Journal, while Justin is continuing to expand the depth, breadth and reach of the North Star, we decided to consolidate the Journal with the North Star.”
“We’re honored by the trust you’ve placed in us and look forward to welcoming Northland Journal readers to the North Star,” wrote Lively in a social media comment. “We know how loyal your readership is, and we hope to earn their attention and support in the years ahead.”
Wheeler named multiple reasons for his bringing an end to the Journal, including the passing of his wife Penny in 2022, explaining that, “in the later months of 2025, because of an illness that took me off my feet, I got a taste of my mortality, and I didn’t like the taste.”
He said the experience caused him to feel “the importance of slowing down and smelling the roses. Now fully recovered, I am doing just that: changing the course of my life.”
“In addition to working on a couple more books, I hope to take on a couple freelance writing jobs,” said Wheeler. He can be reached at [email protected]
