History of the Oro Valley Voice

1970s – Founding and Early Years

1974: Shortly after the Town of Oro Valley’s incorporation, Sancruval Corp. launched the Oro Valley Voice to serve roughly 1,200 residents. Edited and published by Dennis Joyce, early issues were just a few pages, sold at 15¢ with $3 annual home-delivery subscriptions. Frank Lopeman worked as a runner in the newsroom of the combined Oro Valley Voice/Catalina Call, assisting with production and errands.

By 1977, it rebranded to “The Newspaper of Northern Pima County,” expanding coverage to Catalina and surrounding communities. Under editor Ted Turpin, it appeared weekly on Wednesdays, and in 1979 one of its editorials was even entered into the U.S. Congressional Record , a rare national nod for a small-town paper.

These early editions set the foundation for community journalism in Oro Valley, creating a platform for local voices and fostering civic pride among residents.

1980s – Expansion, Rebranding, and Hiatus

1980–1984: Continuing as the dual-titled Oro Valley Voice / The Catalina Call, the paper reported on early commercial growth in Oro Valley. It shortened its name to Oro Valley Voice/Call, then by 1984 reverted simply to The Oro Valley Voice.

Mid-1980s headwinds led to its original run ending by 1984. During its absence, regional outlets like the Oro Valley Territorial (1986–1990) and municipal newsletters filled the local news gap.

Despite the hiatus, the Voice’s legacy endured through community memories and archival clippings, paving the way for future revivals as Oro Valley’s population blossomed.

1990s – Dormancy and Regional Coverage

As Oro Valley’s population soared to nearly 30,000 by 2000, the Voice name remained dormant. Local reporting was covered by papers such as the Northwest Explorer and the town’s official newsletters, but no dedicated Oro Valley Voice publication existed during this decade.

Though dormant, the Spirit of the Voice lived on in community gatherings and local government meetings, keeping the idea of a dedicated Oro Valley newspaper alive.

2000s – The Digital Age and Community Media

Early 2000s: Residents relied on regional dailies and town newsletters. Interest in reviving the Voice grew as Oro Valley continued to expand.

Mid-2000s: Entrepreneur Susan Penney, who had managed her family’s restaurant, launched a horseshoeing business and school, run an antique shop, and opened themed nightclubs, drew up plans and secured advertisers to relaunch a community newspaper. By age 20, she had overcome every startup challenge with creativity and grit.

This digital interest laid the groundwork for the Voice’s future online revival, reflecting the community’s eagerness for a dedicated local platform amidst evolving media landscapes.

2010s – Revival as a Community Publication

2010: Gregory Lopeman and Susan Penney relaunched the Voice as a free, monthly print newspaper mailed to every home and business, reaching over 67,000 readers. Content focused on positive local news, profiles, town history, events, and opinions. A companion website provided digital access to back issues and features.

Penney recalls: “I sketched layouts on napkins, printed our first issue at home, and delivered door-to-door in yoga pants and work boots, it proved to be a perfect formula for community connection!”

The Town of Oro Valley contributed a regular “Town Talk” column, nonprofits used the Voice for outreach, and local writers enriched the pages. By the end of the decade, the Voice was an indispensable hyper-local staple supported by community advertising.

The relaunch captured over 5,000 new subscribers within the first year, demonstrating the community’s hunger for hyper-local coverage.

2015 – Contract Fallout and Leadership Change

2015: Contract negotiations faltered, and Gregory Lopeman stepped aside. Theresa Poalucci, a seasoned publisher with roots in Seattle’s print media industry, assumed the role of editor.

Leveraging decades of experience producing community directories and print publications, Theresa modernized the Oro Valley Voice’s editorial approach. She launched targeted email newsletters, expanded social media outreach, and led the Voice’s first major steps toward digital-first publishing, ensuring strong community engagement even as traditional print revenues declined.

Today, Theresa continues her creative journey as a visual artist, with her latest works available through her official website and Etsy shop.

2020s – Digital Transition and Multimedia Expansion

The COVID-19 pandemic strained print revenue, prompting the end of the independent print edition. By 2022, the Voice moved entirely online, publishing local journalism, email newsletters, and social updates, before pausing later that year.

Despite the pause, the archives remained a vital resource for residents, and the groundwork was laid for a triumphant return under Gregory’s leadership.

2025 – Digital Renaissance Under Gregory Lopeman

2025: Gregory Lopeman returned to relaunch the Voice with a “digital-first” vision. Under his leadership, the site now features:

• Comprehensive real estate coverage with neighborhood guides and market reports
• An interactive Business Directory promoting local vendors
• The weekly podcast “Echoes of the Valley” spotlighting community voices
• Plans for a limited monthly print edition beginning Monsoon Season 2025

Today’s Voice blends legacy and innovation, uplifting Oro Valley through news, stories, and local engagement.

Since the relaunch, site traffic has grown by 150% and engagement metrics indicate deep community involvement, validating the digital-first approach.