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Texas Press Messenger

HEARNE – Teresa Phillips has taken over as publisher of the Robertson County News and the Franklin Advocate, succeeding her husband, Dennis, who noted he is taking on a smaller role as managing editor.

ARCHER CITY – Archer County News Editor Nathan Lawson has been promoted to publisher.
Lawson joined the newspaper in June 2020 and succeeds Jerry Phillips, who has chosen to move into a reduced role with the newspaper. Phillips said he will still be heavily involved in the community and will continue to serve as community interests reporter for the newspaper.

Promotions, staff additions and other recent changes at Texas newspapers.

After 147 years of covering the local community, the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald ceased publication with the July 15 edition.
The Bass, Wright and Reeves families have managed the newspaper for the past 69 years.
“It breaks my heart to close the business, but it is no longer financially sustainable,” Susan Reeves, current publisher, said.

OLTON – The Olton Enterprise published its last edition June 25, 96 years after L.L. Kyle started the paper and 14 years after publishers Phillip and Ursula Hamilton rescued the publication from an even earlier demise.
The Hamiltons announced June 4 the newspaper was for sale but they were unable to find a buyer by the end of the month.

WALLIS – Johnny and Joanie Griffin announced the June 3 edition of the Wallis News-Review would be the newspaper’s last.
They put the newspaper up for sale earlier in the spring with a goal of retiring in June.
“We have been unsuccessful in finding a new owner to continue publishing the newspaper,” Johnny Griffin said in a June 8 announcement on Facebook.

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