YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After The Vindicator announced it is closing its doors and ceasing production, people around the Valley reacted to the shocking news. 

Former and current Valley politicians commented on the closing of The Vindicator on Friday afternoon. 

Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown said that he was shocked by the news. 

"It's shocking for The Vindy, that's been around for so long, to say their closing. All my life it's been there," said Brown. 

Brown also commented on how well The Vindicator reported on corruption and how the publication has held people around the Valley accountable for their actions. 

"I think that's one of the most critical pieces. They hold you accountable no matter who you are, and they wouldn't give an easy pass, and I like that about them. They like to call you for who you are," said Brown.

Longtime former Valley politician Bob Hagan tells 21 News what thoughts went through his head after hearing the news. 

"When you see this happening, it's like an anchor, part of your community disappears, its a shocker," said Hagan. "It's an anchor industry, and it will disappear as progress goes and we move towards the internet." 

Valley Congressman Tim Ryan stated that the news is heartbreaking and praised the work of the staff at The Vindicator.  

"I'm stunned really, you know, it's been tough for the newspaper business for a while, but I didn't have have any indication this was happening, they were such a big part of our community," said Ryan. 

Senator Rob Portman also tweeted about The Vindicator closing its doors, stating that the news is 'gut-wrenching.' 

Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio's Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted chimed in on a Valley staple closing its doors. 

Former Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Mark Munroe said that even though he may have never seen eye to eye with The Vindicator, the publication was a staple to the community. 

"Over the years, I've got mixed feelings about The Vindicator. I've been disappointed at times, I've disagreed at times, but clearly, this is a loss to the community," said Munroe. 

Mahoning Valley and Ohio state politicians were not the only ones who felt the impact of the announcement. 

Bill Lawson, The Executive Director of The Mahoning Valley Historical Society, added that it is a shocking announcement and that The Vindicator has been a Valley tradition for over a century. 

"Its a loss of tradition. The Vindicator has been around since 1869, it's been a daily paper since the late 1880s, and it's been the only daily paper in Mahoning County since 1966." 

The vice president of Investments for Stifel, Scott Schulick, compares The Vindicator's closing to other large companies that have left the Valley. 

"I think it's a devastating blow for Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, the equivalent of the steel mills closing or General Motors," said Shulick. "I think to lose  our influence as a media market; losing the daily paper that holds us accountable for what we do, celebrates the good things in our community, and reports, unfortunately, the bad things, it's a blow, it's a huge blow."

Schulick remembers when he was a newspaper carrier for The Vindicator. Schulick actually attributes his entire career to working for The Vindicator. Schulick said that he saved up enough money from working for The Vindicator that he decided to invest in the stock market when he was 19. 

Residents around the Valley also reacted to the closing of Youngstown's historical publication. 

Cheryl Clinton from Youngstown said, "It's been a staple here for 150 years, and now they're leaving." 

Felix Lazazzera, a resident from Mahoning County, said that he thought the paper would be in the Valley for a long time. 

"I thought it would be here forever. It's a shame; it's a shame they're closing. We'll really miss it. The people in Youngstown will miss it," said Lazazzera. 

Ron Verb, the host of News Radio 570 WKBN, said that the local community is no better off without a newspaper. 

"It's sad news to me. I don't know any community that's better off without a local newspaper," said Verb. 

The Vindicator's editorial page editor and Sunday columnists, Bertram de Souza, reflects on his 40-year career and how influential The Vindicator has been within the community.  

"I'm losing a part of what has been my life," said de Souza."Politically, the Sunday before an election, when we were printing at midnight, politicians and their campaign people would line outside the old building to get the first newspaper off the press and see who we would endorse." 

Columnist de Souza said that the papers general manager, Mark Brown, supported his column no matter who it may have upset or offended. 

According to Brown, he has been trying to find a buyer for the paper since December 2017.

"We never thought we would be in this position, being that it was in the family you didn't want to shut it down or lose it, but the only way we could see this continue is if we found another buyer," said Brown. 

Brown adds that most of the revenue comes from the print product. The Vindicator will not be able to keep their website due to Google and Facebook driving down rates for advertising.

One hundred forty-four employees and about 250 carriers will lose their jobs on August 31, 2019. 

The announcement came Friday afternoon, just days after the newspaper marked its 150th anniversary.  

On Saturday, a letter to readers will be published by The Vindicator publisher Betty J.H. Brown Jagnow and General Manager Mark Brown explaining the decision.