CherryRoad Media Launches Rainy Lake Gazette in International Falls
On July 16, CherryRoad Media (media division of CherryRoad Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey) distributed volume 1, issue 1 of its newest publication, the Rainy Lake Gazette, in International Falls, Minnesota. The paper launched just two weeks after the doors closed at the International Falls Journal, says a press release on the new paper. Just a few weeks ago, Jeremy Gulban, CEO of Cherry Road Media and publisher of the Cook County News-Herald in Grand Marais, Minnesota, as well as four Arkansas publications, learned that the existing publication was leaving the community. He saw an opportunity and decided to run with it. The release has more on the birth of the paper here.
Smith Buys News Reporter
Justin Smith has bought The News Reporter (Whiteville, North Carolina) from Les High and Stuart High Rogers, the paper reported. Smith has been editor of the paper since 2018. The deal “will allow The News Reporter to remain in local hands,” High said. “And that’s critical. Columbus County will have a local paper for years to come.” Smith resigned from his position on the Whiteville City Council, citing his expanded role at the paper, the paper said.
Kansas Families Buy Morning Sun from Gannett
A group of Pittsburg (Kansas) families is buying the Pittsburg Morning Sun from Gannett, the paper reports. They will also take over the running of the Columbus News-Report (Kansas). Pittsburg attorney Kevin Mitchelson says Pittsburg Publishing Co. was put together by a group of Kansas families who want to return The Morning Sun to local ownership.
Larry Hiatt, publisher and editor of the Columbus News-Report, will work as initial publisher and editor of The Morning Sun, the paper says. Terms of the deal were not made public. The deal is expected to close Sept. 1. Poynter and Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative recently co-produced a piece that identifies a trend of chains selling off local newsrooms. Gannett has sold more than 23 publications back to local owners, says Poynter.
Vernon Publishing Buys Publications from Gannett
Family business Vernon Publishing is buying a group of publications in the Lake of the Ozarks area of Missouri from Gannett, Lake News Online reports. The deal is expected to close Sept. 1. Media merger and acquisition firm Dirks, Van Essen & April represented Gannett in the deal. Terms of the deal were not made public. Vernon Publishing publishes three other papers in the area: The Advertiser in Eldon, The Index in Hermitage and The Tipton Times. The publications being bought include the Lake Sun, Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate, BOATS magazine, Lake Leader, Lake Lifestyles Magazine and Vacation News.
“We are excited for opportunity to publish this group of publications around the Lake of the Ozarks,” said Publisher Trevor Vernon, who also serves as mayor of Eldon, Missouri. “I have great memories of growing up on and around the lake. We think these publications are a natural fit with the others we currently own. The future of these publications and the area is looking bright.”
Poynter and Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative recently co-produced a piece that identifies a trend of chains selling off local newsrooms. Gannett has sold more than 23 publications back to local owners, says Poynter.
Sexton Media Group Buys Neosho Daily News, Aurora Advertiser from Gannett
Sexton Media Group is buying the Neosho Daily News and the Aurora Advertiser (both in Missouri) from Gannett, the Neosho paper reports. The deal is expected to close on Sept. 1. Terms of the deal were not made public.
Sexton Media Group is owned by Jimmy and Rhonda Sexton. Its current publications include The News-Dispatch and the River Hills Traveler. Media merger and acquisition firm Dirks, Van Essen & April represented Gannett in the deal. Poynter and Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative recently co-produced a piece that identifies a trend of chains selling off local newsrooms. Gannett has sold more than 23 publications back to local owners, says Poynter.
Sandwich Broadsider, Bourne Courier Cease Publication
Cape Cod publications The Sandwich Broadsider and The Bourne Courier are no longer producing, according to a story at capenews.net. Peter D. Meyer, president and publisher of the Cape Cod Times, said that the move doesn’t impact the other subscriber-based papers the company runs on the Cape: the Cape Cod Times, The Barnstable Patriot, The Register, The Cape Codder and The Provincetown Banner.
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