Phillips Publishing acquired Silsbee Bee

SILSBEE – Dennis and Veronica Phillips of Phillips Publishing, LLC, have purchased the Silsbee Bee from Hicks Media.

“The Bee is the historic newspaper of record for Hardin County, and I’ve spent more than 30 years of my career working to preserve and revitalize community newspapers,” Dennis Phillips said. “While The Bee wasn’t in immediate danger, it was clear the paper needed support and direction to transition effectively into the digital age.”

Phillips added that the staff of the Silsbee Bee was an important selling point.

“With a veteran editor and a longtime bookkeeper, both with more years in the business than I have, and a dedicated, hard-working advertising representative, the team at The Bee is the real deal,” Phillips said. “The heart and passion they bring to their work are inspiring — something I wish every community newspaper could experience.”

Although the Phillips live in Hearne, about 175 miles northwest of Silsbee, they are very familiar with Hardin County. Veronica Phillips is originally from Batson in West Hardin County and she has family residing in the area.

The Phillips publish the Robertson County News in Hearne and digitally publish The Franklin Advocate, which has maintained a digital presence since transitioning to digital format during the pandemic. In addition, they maintain a presence for The Bremond Journal. They also hold the rights to two out-of-print publications, The Bremond Gazette and The Calvert Tribune.

In the past, Phillips owned the Johnson City Free Press, Blanco Free Press, and Marble Falls Free Press. All three were sold in the years following the economic downturn that affected many small rural Texas newspapers after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Phillips began his first newspaper job as a graphic designer at the Marble Falls Highlander, a community newspaper, in 1998. Before that he was based in Austin, where he sold and designed ads and produced both monthly and weekly publications from his bedroom while helping to raise three children.

“Over time, I progressed through nearly every role in the industry,” he said. “I’ve run a printing press at Granite Printing, covered sports, served as an editor, and was eventually promoted to general manager in 2009 by Mark Henry of Moser Community Media. My career path has focused on restoring, revitalizing, and renovating community newspapers across Texas.”

Staff members of The Silsbee Bee include Debbie Gordon, business manager; Amy Gonzales, advertising manager; and Dan Eakin, editor. Sports contributors include Danny Reneau, Brent Guidry and Julie Isbell.