Thursday’s edition of The Valley Journal, Carbondale’s community newspaper for more than three decades, was the last, its managers said Wednesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that The Valley Journal is suspending publication as a free-standing newspaper for the unforeseeable future with this, the 41st edition of the 34th year of the VJ’s existence, due to the current economic situation,” wrote editor and general manager John Stroud about the current edition.

“It is definitely not an easy decision, but the recession is forcing many tough decisions all around, both here in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond,” Stroud continued. “The need for Carbondale to have a newspaper is still very real, and we of course prefer to look at this as a temporary situation, with the goal being a return of the VJ to the streets of Carbondale and the surrounding area whenever the economy allows.”

Aspen Times Publisher Jenna Weatherred said the management of Colorado Mountain News Media, parent company of The Valley Journal, as well as the Times, will continue to evaluate the future of the VJ in time. Meanwhile, she said, readers can look for news about Carbondale events, people and governmental affairs in The Aspen Times and the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.