By: E&P Staff American Consolidated Media (ACM) has sold Highland Lakes Newspapers, a wholly owned subsidiary, to Next West Newspapers of Marble Falls, Texas. Terms of the transaction, brokered by Dirks, Van Essen & Murray, were not disclosed.
The deal includes The Highlander, a twice-weekly newspaper serving Marble Falls and the weeklies Burnet Bulletin, Kingsland Current, and The Llano Buzz & County Journal. The four newspapers have a combined weekly circulation of 11,200.
Next West Newspapers is a new Texas corporation headquartered in Marble Falls and is owned by Gary G. Gerlach; Karen Ann Conner, his spouse, and Richard M. "Dick" Plum. Gerlach is president; Conner and Plum are vice presidents and directors.
Plum will assume the positions of publisher and editor at the newspaper group. Most recently, Plum served as president and general manager of Jackson County Publishing Co. and Jackson County Press in Ripley and Ravenswood, West Virginia, publishers of The Jackson Herald, The Jackson Star-News, and The Star News Weekender.
"I have known and respected Gary Gerlach for many years and believe that the Highland Lakes area will be proudly and well served by his longstanding commitment to local community journalism and local community service," said Halbreich in a statement about New West Newspaper owner Gerlach. "More recently, I have become well-acquainted with Dick Plum, a strong and impressive newspaper professional who will benefit greatly from the loyal and dedicated staff at these newspapers."
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