The SFWeekly has laid off four staffers including reporter Matt Smith in what appears to be a budget-cutting move by parent company Village Voice Media, Eve Batey of the SFAppeal reports.

The layoffs come month after the rival Bay Guardian let go three of its editorial staffers, about a third of its staff.

The SFAppeal quoted one unnamed SFWeekly staffer as saying, “Apparently, it’s across the board in all Village Voice Media, but SF Weekly was hit the hardest because they lose a lot of money.”

The Appeal story said those who were laid off include Web editor Jake Swearingen, foodie bloger W. Blake Gray, Matt Smith and calendar editor and blogger Hiya Swanhuyser.

Earlier this year, the Guardian received an undisclosed sum from Village Voice Media to settle a lawsuit that alleged the chain sold ads in the SFWeekly at below the price of production in an attempt to run the Guardian out of business.