A new chapter follows the Bayer & Loshbough legacy as the Coffin Era begins at the Tri-City Record
- Tri-City Record
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
After 42 years under the leadership of the Bayer-Loshbough family, ownership of the Tri-City Record has passed to Joshua Coffin, turning the page in the 144-year-old newspaper’s history. Karl and Anne Bayer’s tenure began when they moved their family from Dryden to Watervliet in 1984, after which daughter Amy Loshbough later carried the family legacy forward as owner and editor. The transfer became official Aug. 1, 2026.
Joshua is a lifelong Watervliet resident; born, raised, and lived here for his 30 years. He graduated from Watervliet High School in 2014 and after that pursued a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with minors in Broadcasting and Multimedia Design from Central Michigan University, finishing there in 2018. Coffin comes from a creative background, from working at CMU’s Art Gallery to working in music with his brothers, booking wedding entertainment or in graphic arts, and further working as a web designer.
Karl and Amy gave Josh his start at the Tri-City Record in November 2020, bringing him into the office as the graphic designer and webmaster. Through the years, they have designed pages, sold ads, chased deadlines, covered community celebrations, organized party-bus adventures and dreamed up more than a few ambitious ideas. They even ventured into the bakery business, with Amy and Josh working closely to open Amy’s Kitchen right next door to the newspaper office.
“It has been instilled in me to find beauty in our everyday moments,” Josh said. “There is an intrinsic value in covering our day-to-day. I plan on and look forward to continuing the magic of our local newspaper that Amy and Karl have built for years to come with this fantastic team.”
“My parents and I are so excited for the future of the Tri-City Record. After 42 years and not really knowing what the future will look like, there is no better peace than knowing someone will take it to the next level,” Amy said. “Thank you, Josh, for believing in this. We believe in you and will anxiously await each week for our newspaper to be delivered.”
With Josh comes his brother, Tyler Coffin, a 2010 Watervliet High School graduate and graduate of Western Michigan University. With experience in several areas of engineering, Tyler will bring a practical, inventive and problem-solving perspective to the business. Josh describes him as a one-of-a-kind brain with an unmatched work ethic who will play an important role in the Coffin era.
As Josh said it, “Had you told me at the beginning of this year I’d own a newspaper, I might have called you crazy. But as crazy as you might have been then, I am now equally as grateful and excited for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I cannot wait to highlight our local stories, maintain and expand this platform for local news, businesses, and events.”
