Nathaniel A. Boynton, a Slingerlands resident and former Associated Press writer, purchased the paper in 1975 and began a full-coverage news policy.
Ahlstrom turned The Spotlight into an 11- by 15-inch tabloid format, which allowed him to nearly double the news layout and photo content of the paper.
In the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, there was little or no coverage of the struggle for civil rights, of the Vietnam War protests, of the American hostages held in Iran, or of nuclear power plant protests, but there was coverage of the Lion’s Club pancake suppers, the Bethlehem Snow Queen competition, and the Voorheesville Dionysians’ latest theatrical offerings.
As a penny saver, a full-page advertisement from Handy Dandy Cleaners on the front cover was standard and perfectly reasonable.
Based on their backgrounds and area of expertise, each owner imparted a lasting legacy on the papers, which continue to be the voices of their communities.
Spotlight Newspapers continues to be a source for local news for Albany, Schenectady, and Saratoga Counties of New York State.