TPA chairman sells newspaper to Silsbee publisher

After 15 years in publication, The Hometown Press in Winnie has changed hands to new owners Danny and Janet Reneau.

Publisher Judy Johnson, who is Texas Press Association’s chairman of the board until June 2007, has been a

The newspaper was founded by a group of business people who formed Semtex Corp. and began working on the paper in fall 1990. The Press published its first edition Feb. 6, 1991.

Johnson took over as publisher in 1992. In 1997, after his retirement from Gulf States - Entergy in 1995, Buddy Johnson joined The Press staff as the sports editor.

The Reneaus also own The Silsbee Bee, which they have operated since 1990. Janet Reneau’s family had been in the newspaper business for three generations.

The Johnsons said they couldn’t have hand-picked a better couple than the Reneaus.

“We’ve been personal friends for a long time and they are good people and good newspaper people. They are very honest and fair and are very community minded,” she added.

Brooke Hodges began contributing articles in 2004 and is now serving as editor. Crystle Estes joined in November 2003 and will continue as a graphics designer and ad representative. Lisa Smith will continue in circulation and will add ad sales.