The first issue of Eureka! Magazine has been distributed around Eureka Springs.

The new magazine is published by Carroll County Community Media LLC, which also publishes the Eureka Springs Times-Echo and the Carroll County News.

The magazine, which will be printed monthly from March through December, replaces the Eureka Springs Visitor. While the Visitor was printed on newsprint, Eureka! Magazine is printed on 70-pound gloss paper, which results in much better print quality.

“We’re really excited about this new publication,” said editor and publisher Scott Loftis, who is the majority owner of Carroll County Community Media. “We made the decision to invest in a publication that we think looks much better than its predecessor and is a better reflection of Eureka Springs and what the community has to offer. All of the writing and photography for this publication is produced locally and the publication itself is locally owned. We’re proud of our community and we wanted a magazine that the community could be proud of, too. I’m very pleased with the first issue but of course we are always looking to improve and grow.”

The first issue features local artist Hilka West-Irvin, with an image of one of Hilka’s paintings on the cover.

“We’re very grateful to Hilka for graciously allowing us to use her artwork,” Loftis said. “We want to shine a spotlight on our local artists and all the talented people who call Eureka Springs home.”

The magazine includes listings of local restaurants, attractions, art galleries and more. It also includes a calendar of events.

“In some ways, the magazine is geared toward visitors,” Loftis said.