After serving the Mahoning Valley for 150 years, The Vindicator has rolled off the presses for the last time.

The Vindicator staff gathered Friday evening to print more than 34,000 of the final edition papers.

The paper produced around 3,500 more copies than usual to meet the high demand for the final printing. 

Employees, their families, and friends gathered in the press room at 9 p.m. Friday to see the printing presses fire up one last time. 

"It's a bittersweet night. I love this sound, and I'll probably never hear it again. It's just amazing to be here for the last night of The Vindy," Bill Lewis, photographer, and a 34-year employee said. 

Publisher Betty Brown-Jagnow and her son, general manager Mark Brown, were also present. 

"I just want to thank everyone again for the years of support. We hope they appreciated what we did for them, and we enjoyed doing it, and we hope we added some value to the community," Brown said. 

The final commemorative edition of The Vindicator will hit newsstands and paper racks Saturday morning. But those who are unable to get their hands on one can pick up a copy of the historic paper at The Vindicator's front counter Tuesday. 

The Vindicator announced it would cease production on June 28, just days after the newspaper marked its 150th anniversary. 

On August 16, the Tribune Chronicle acquired The Vindicator subscription list, masthead and the vindy.com domain. 

Under the agreement, the Tribune Chronicle is authorized to produce an edition under the name of The Vindicator and has agreed to provide a newspaper for the remainder of the unexpired terms of all current subscribers.

The Tribune Chronicle will attempt to fill the void left by The Vindicator by publishing a Mahoning County edition beginning on Sunday.