The first issue of the Gila Bend Sun was published March 22, 1979 by Glen Birchfield, his wife Joan L. Birchfield, and Mr. Russell Melder. Russ left the newspaper in 1979 and Joan passed away in 1997 after serving 18 years as publisher.
Glen Birchfield, alias Black Bart, received his nickname in 1972 from his habit of wearing black clothes. He was seen around town with a double-barreled camera, doing his own darkroom work until the era of digital cameras. Glen passed away in 2019.
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Black Bart and 10 of 19 grandkids on his 79th birthday.
Black Bart and family in Disneyland, June 2010 (submitted photo).
Black Bart's daughter, Dayle G. Birchfield has taken over the Editor position, in addition to handling production, photo-journalist and website duties.