Neves Media Publishing announced today the purchase of weekly newspapers the Washington County News, Holmes County Times-Advertiser, Port St. Joe Star, and Apalachicola Times from Gannett Media Corp.
“We are excited to acquire some of the oldest newspapers in the State of Florida,” said owner Todd Neves, adding “ we look forward to being active and supportive members of each and every community we serve.”
Neves Media Publishing has hired media veteran Nicole Barefield as the new group publisher.
Barefield started her career with the Panama City News Herald in 1982, and has been publisher of the Washington County News and Holmes County Times-Advertiser since 2007.
Barefield will supervise daily operations of all four of the multimedia news outlets.
“These four newspapers are the embodiment of truly local lenses into the daily activities, issues and stories of the communities they serve,” said Barefield, adding: “We’re enthusiastic about building on their heritage as the relevant and credible news and information source – both in print and digital – for their audiences.”
Neves Media Publishing has plans to expand the media coverage in the markets it serves with enhanced local reporting and news partnerships that will “provide our clients and advertisers with real time news and information that is important and impactful to their daily lives,” said Neves.
