Since 1968, Gulfport residents have been getting their local news, gossip and business updates from The Gabber, a community newspaper formerly known as the Gulfport Gabber. These days the paper covers Pasadena, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach and other nearby towns as well, so best to leave Gulfport out of the name or you’ll be sternly corrected.
The Gabber’s content ranges from crime stories and city council reports to Little League scores, opinion columns and quirky tidbits about farm animals on the lam. Writer Cathy Salustri jokes that she’s the queen of the livestock beat at The Gabber. This week she reported on Gordan, an African Pygmy goat that disappeared from owner Eric Finkler’s van and turned up the next day after mysteriously hoofing it to Riptides, a Blind Pass watering hole.
The story was appropriately titled ”So a Goat Walks into a Bar.” Jokes publisher/owner Ken Reichert: “We may be an urban beach environment, but somehow nothing gets more response than articles on ducks, chickens and livestock.”
Reichert attributes The Gabber’s overall appeal to its function as a hyperlocal niche for readers and advertisers.
“Businesses know their targets, and the news is always relevant. The relationship we have with our readers is almost familial: We know them by name.”
Read about Gordan the goat and more online at thegabber.com.