The Valley Breeze of North Smithfield and Woonsocket

On March 27, 1996, The Valley Breeze began in the Cumberland home of its founder, Publisher Thomas V. Ward, a photojournalist and editor, in partnership with Deputy Publisher James Quinn, an advertising artist. Joined by Editor Marcia Green, the trio had many years of experience in the area's daily newspapers. The paper rapidly outgrew the Ward family living room at 216 Pound Road, Cumberland, and moved to its first office 9 weeks later.

What began as a 20-page tab is now 72 pages or more each week in its Cumberland-Lincoln edition, and slightly smaller in its newer editions.

The Breeze staff has grown to 22 full-time employees and another 10 part-time employees, as well as 15 drivers who deliver the newspaper to more than 800 locations every Wednesday and Thursday morning. Papers are located at grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, banks and public buildings, among others. For a specific location near you, email ethan@valleybreeze.com.