ARANSAS PASS — After 59 years of publishing the Aransas Pass Progress and 32 years of publishing the Ingleside Index, the Richards family has sold their interest in the two newspapers to Granite Publications of Taylor.

Dick Richards, owner and publisher, was president of Texas Press Association in 1994-95. His father, Scoop Richards, previously owned the Progress and the family acquired the Index in 1973. In 1964, Scoop Richards, James F. Tracy of Sinton and Carroll Keach of Robstown formed Rotolith Printing Company.

Granite Publications is a family of community newspapers with 17 publications in Texas including one daily the Taylor Daily Press.

Former Sealy News managing editor Bobby Horecka assumed duties as editor and publisher at Aransas Pass and Ingleside effective May 1.

Allen becomes weekly

ALLEN — The semiweekly Allen American reduced its publication schedule and ceased publishing on Sundays with the April 24 edition. The American became a weekly newspaper, continuing to publish on Thursday with increased distribution.

McKinney publisher buys Jackson County weekly

EDNA — Jim Moser purchased the Jackson County Herald-Tribune May 1.

Joining Moser in the acquisition is Glenn Rea, publisher of the Cuero Record for the past 17 years. Rea will continue to direct the operations of the nearby Cuero newspaper.

The paper was acquired from the Herald-Tribune Publishing Co., which is owned by Jackson County businessmen Joe Hermes, Harrison Stafford II, Willard Ulbricht and David and Mark Rose.

Moser most recently was publisher of the McKinney Courier-Gazette. His father has been publisher of The Banner-Press in Brenham for the past 35 years.

Hall County paper absorbs Memphis weekly

MEMPHIS — The startup Hall County Herald absorbed and purchased the Memphis Democrat on April 28 and will continue publishing under the Herald name.

Christopher Blackburn, who was editor of The Childress Index, is the publisher. His family has owned the Index for 70 years. Blackburn said the Herald will retain its own identity rather than be a step sister to the Index.

Bill and Tanya Combs published the final edition of the Democrat on April 27, after nearly 60 years in the same family. Herschel and Helen Combs purchased one-half interest in 1945 and on Jan. 1, 1966, obtained the other half. Upon Herschel’s death on Jan. 23, 1973, Helen Combs continued as publisher with son, Bill, as editor. Helen retired from the paper in 1992.

Publisher completes sale

MOUNT VERNON — Publisher Pat Wright of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald completed the sale of the weekly newspaper to Franklin Information Services Inc., effective April 1.

The corporation is entirely owned by John and Susan Reeves of Mount Vernon. Susan Reeves is Wright’s niece. The Reeves, both graduates of Plano High School, have been working at the paper since July 2003.

Abernathy owners remain in place

ABERNATHY — Scott and Judy Luce returned as owners of the Abernathy Weekly Review after the April 1 sale, reported in the April issue of the Messenger, fell through.

The Luces came to Abernathy in 1989 and have published the newspaper for the last 15 1/2 years. Judy Luce is a high school English teacher.

Fort Worth buys weekly

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Star-Telegram bought the Keller Citizen, a free weekly that was established in the city’s suburbs in 1980. Rickenbacher Media represented the sellers and initiated the transaction.

The Star-Telegram, owned by Knight Ridder, also owns eight other suburban newspapers, as well as the Mansfield News-Mirror.

DA probes Dallas M-N circulation overstatement

DALLAS — The Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas County prosecutors are investigating whether criminal charges should be brought in connection with last year’s disclosure of inflated circulation at the daily.

Belo Corp., parent company of the News, said it received a subpoena April 21 seeking documents related to the circulation overstatement that found inflated numbers of 1.5 percent daily and 5 percent Sundays.

New audited figures for the period ending March 31 are expected to show declines of 9 percent daily and 13 percent Sundays, officials said.

Kilgore updates Web site

KILGORE — The Kilgore News Herald revamped its Web site and added in-paper ads online. The newspaper’s new Web host, Our-Hometown.com, will post the day’s news and photographs plus all classified and display ads each evening on the site, kilgorenewsherald.com.

Star launches new Plano niche pub

PLANO — Star Community Newspapers launched a new weekly niche publication, Plano Insider, targeting Collin County’s affluent Plano residents. The company owns the Plano Star Courier and 13 other newspapers.

Valley group begins free Island daily

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The first edition of the Island Breeze, a free distribution, five-day newspaper, rolled off the presses offering local news and features in a quick-read format. The Valley Morning Star in Harlingen publishes the Breeze.

The publication follows a national trend of free, quick-read dailies published by paid daily counterparts.