The implosion of the Patch online news websites across the country continued this week, with hundreds of layoffs reportedly executed by Hale Global, the turnaround specialist that recently bought the news outfits from AOL.

Things don’t look good at Wellesley Patch, which started in 2010 and got off to a decent start, busily posting news items and doing some good work regarding the local education scene. Clicking on the editor’s profile now results in a “there doesn’t seem to be anything at this address message.” Email to the editor bounced back.

In rather un-newsy fashion, Patch corporate hasn’t issued any sort of official release on what took place this week, rather leaving the mess for assorted outside reporters to sort out.

As journalists ourselves, we’re always saddened when others in the profession lose their jobs. Many of the Patch sites have been running on autopilot for months, following other layoffs.

There’s something oddly appropriate about the final tweet from the Wellesley Patch site:

News Around Patch: This 1,800-pound horse was stuck in the mud. Watch how rescue crews got it out: http://t.co/P9ro4E9uGK

— Wellesley Patch (@Wellesley_Patch) January 28, 2014