tain Sun in Kerrville (acquired in August 2003) ceased publication as both newspapers merged into nearby sister dailies The Facts in Clute and Kerrville Daily Times, respectively.

In the Galveston-Texas City merger, the combined newspapers will publish as The Galveston County Daily News. Officials said Sun key staff members, including all long-term, full-time employees, will be retained. The News’ staff will increase to about 130 from 102.

As part of the partnership, the News will move part of its staff to the Sun’s building. Daughtry, who had served as publisher since 1984, will serve as senior vice president for Galveston Newspapers Inc. Dolph Tillotson remains as publisher of the News and vice president of Southern.

The News will continue to be printed in Galveston while the Sun’s presses will be used for supplements.

On the October statement of ownership annual postal form the Sun reported 6,072 circulation, while the News listed 24,326 circulation. The combined newspaper is expected to have about 30,000 circulation.

The Sun had dominated the TPA Better Newspaper Contest since 1999 when it won the first of six Sweepstakes in Division 3 dailies less than 7,000 circulation. In 2004 alone the Sun won five first places, one third and one fourth.

In addition to TPA Sweepstakes, the Sun won the National Newspaper Association’s Best of States award in three consecutive years.

Generally 1912 is recognized as the  Sun’s founding, the year a newspaper began publication for the newly incorporated city of Texas City.

Ownership since the 1960s has included The Houston Post, Walls Newspaper Group and Jefferson Pilot Publications. The Walls family repurchased the Sun in July 1984.

The Sun had served as a seven-day publication since 1979 and had been a morning publication since the early 1980s.