July 10, 2009 The Eagle Times files for bankruptcy protection Play video

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Claremont, NH) - "Unbelievable, unbelievable."

In shock, more than one hundred employees of a New Hampshire newspaper used to covering the news, have become the news.

Eagle Times Photojournalist Jesse Baker said, "I felt very lucky to have the job that I have and I'm devastated."

Employees of the Eagle Times newspaper in Claremont, New Hampshire got the news in an e-mail on Thursday.

In it publisher Harvey Hill said he was forced to shut down their newspaper and the three other sister publications of Twin State Valley Media Network because of the poor economy and changes in the newspaper industry.

Today's paper is the final edition for the Eagle Times.

Sales Representative Paul Shattuck said, "Upper management's been saying local small town papers aren't so apt to get hit, well, here we are, small town America, we're hit."

Some employees, like Paul Mattas, are optimistic... even though Mattas just moved up here from Florida three months ago to take a job as advertising director.

"This too shall pass, and you put yourself back into the marketplace," said Mattas.

Others are concerned about how they'll make ends meet.

"I don't have hard feelings," said Mail Room Manager Michael Farr, "as much as I have worries for the families that - including my own - that are going to be hit kind of hard from this."

"I have a son in two months on his way now, what are people supposed to do?" said

But Pough says he just wishes they could apologize to readers about the abrupt shut down.

"I can't stop it, you know," said Pough, "if I was a millionaire I'd buy it myself and keep it going."