Secretary Wyman applauds as Rowland Thompson (in bow tie) shakes hands with Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen (second from left). Also standing (from left) are Yakima Herald-Republic general manager Rob Blethen, Seattle Times assistant managing editor Ryan Blethen and Wenatchee World publisher Rufus Woods. (Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonald)

Few family-owned newspapers remain in Washington, or in the U.S. Two of them are continuing to make their mark with their brand of community-based journalism.

The Seattle Times and The Wenatchee World are the focus of Legacy Washington’s new e-book, which attracted more than 100 people, including Lt. Gov. Owen and more than a dozen legislators at a launch event Tuesday at the state Capitol.

“Pressing On: Two Family-Owned Newspapers in the 21st Century” is a forward-looking work that covers the triumphs, adversities and challenges facing The Seattle Times, owned and managed by the Blethen family since 1896, and The Wenatchee World, owned and managed by the Woods family since 1907.

Written by John C. Hughes, chief historian for Legacy Washington, “Pressing On” can be purchased for download for $9.99 through Amazon.com. A PDF of the e-book is available free by going here on the Office of Secretary of State’s website.

Legacy Washington’s John C. Hughes discusses his new e-book, “Pressing On” during its launch event. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Photo Department) 

Secretary of State Kim Wyman emceed the launch event.

“I hear people say newspapers are dying. Well, The Wenatchee World and The Seattle Times are living proof that great public-service journalism and a sense of community are still prescriptions for success in the Internet age. Everyone seems to be preoccupied with tweeting and selfies. We need accurate, informative news,” Wyman told the gathering. “The Blethen and Woods families have represented the best of their profession in our state, and America, for more than a century.”

Hughes, Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen, Yakima Herald-Republic general manager Rob Blethen, Seattle Times assistant managing editor Ryan Blethen, Wenatchee World publisher Rufus Woods and Rowland Thompson of Allied Daily Newspapers also spoke at the event. After the launch, Wyman presented the Blethens and Woods with certificates of appreciation for their service to the people of Washington.

“Pressing On” is Legacy Washington’s 17th publication. Legacy Washington’s books and e-books have not been published at public expense. The history program’s biographies cover many notable Washingtonians, including former Governors Booth Gardner and John Spellman, former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton, former U.S. Representative Jennifer Dunn and Native American activist Billy Frank Jr. Additionally, the program released a book on the historically close gubernatorial race between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi in 2004.

Legacy Washington, a program of the Office of Secretary of State, has published several oral histories in print. Subjects include former state Senator Sid Snyder, former first lady Nancy Evans, civil rights pioneer Lillian Walker, longtime political reporter Adele Ferguson, astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, former State Supreme Court justices Carolyn Dimmick, Charles Z. Smith and Robert F. Utter, and rocker-turned-political-activist Krist Novoselic.