Blackmon Publishing acquires Castro County News

From the Castro County News

DIMMITT — For the second time since 2011, Blackmon Publishing, Inc., has acquired the Castro County News.

Back in 2011, the Blackmons purchased The Castro County News from Chris Bradford. Bradford had purchased the newspaper previously from longtime owner Don Nelson. In 2013, the Blackmons sold The Castro County News to Brett Wesner, who remained the owner until selling it back to the Blackmons in late September.

“We are thrilled to once again be the publishers of the The Castro County News... one of the best and oldest weekly newspapers in the Texas Panhandle and the State of Texas,” Jeff and Angela Blackmon said following the completion of the purchase. “We again look forward to continuing the strong tradition of news coverage in this county.”

Blackmon Publishing, Inc. also publishes the Hereford Brand, covering Deaf Smith County; the Swisher County News, covering the Tulia, Happy and Kress area;, and the County Star-News, covering the Wheeler County communities of Shamrock, Wheeler, Kelton, Briscoe and Mobeetie.

Jeff is a 1999 graduate of Abilene Christian University with a degree in broadcast journalism, and Angela is a graduate of Amarillo College with a dental hygiene degree. They have three children: Will, a senior electrical engineering major at West Texas A&M University; Nora, a sophomore at Amarillo College earning her degree as a paramedic; and Eva, a junior at West Plains High School.

“Simply put, we love small town, community newspapers and want to do our part to make sure as many towns in the Panhandle continue to have their top source of local news,” Jeff Blackmon said. “Once a community loses its newspaper, people in that community realize quickly just how important and historic local papers are.”

“Yes, social media and technology have changed the news landscape even in small towns, but local journalism and trusted reporting make what we do vital to the communities we serve.”

A few changes included returning to a Thursday publication day from Friday and corresponding deadlines. The Blackmons also announced new office hours. They invited readers to come by and meet the owners as well as bring news items and photos for publication.

“Our goal is to have a paper full of local news and nothing else ... that is what makes us relevant to the communities in Castro County,” Blackmon said.