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MONROEVILLE - Given population trends in the region, the Beaver County communities of Monaca, Aliquippa, Center and Hopewell might seem an unlikely area to start a weekly community newspaper.
Yet Gateway Press has done just that.
After acquiring the small monthly County Crier owned by locally based King Communications, Gateway launched its first new title in years in November, the Beaver Valley Star.
"It doesn't fall within the logical patterns as far as chasing growth," said Lee Mooty, publisher of Gateway Press. "But it was an area and opportunity that needed to be explored."
Unlike such growing areas as Cranberry, Murrysville and Hempfield, communities such as Aliquippa and Monaca have faced long-term decline and population loss.
According to the latest census data, Aliquippa lost nearly 12 percent of its population between 1990...