Top insiders buy 4 Ohio newspapers

A federal bankruptcy court judge approved the $26 million sale of Ohio-based newspaper chain Brown Publishing Co. to company insiders led by current President and Chief Executive Roy Brown.

Ohio newspapers affected are the 8,465 circulation Delaware Gazette in central Ohio, and the 10,513 circulation Piqua Daily Call, the 9,277 circulation Troy Daily News and the 7,300 circulation Wilmington News Journal in Ohio's southwest quadrant. In a separate decision, the bankruptcy judge approved the purchase of the 5,500 circulation Van Wert Times Bulletin and the 3,000 circulation Ada Herald in western Ohio for $3.6 million to the 3,682 circulation Delphos Herald.

Brown Media Holdings Co. and Brown Publishing Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in May. Newspapers in 10 states were affected.

Click on the headline for the Associated Press story in Editor & Publisher magazine.