Something More Newspapers acquires Barton Publications

KYLE – With the retirement of long-time publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton, Something More Newspapers has acquired Barton Publications, publishers of the Hays Free Press in Kyle and News Dispatch in Dripping Springs.
Something More Newspapers is owned and operated by Tania French and her two daughters Ashley Kontnier and Schelly Bartels. The company also owns the Port Lavaca Wave.
French worked for the Port Lavaca Wave for 18 years — 11 of them as a publisher — before launching Something More Media in 2018 with Kontnier and Bartels. She is currently publisher of the Port Lavaca Wave.
Both Kontnier and Bartels grew up in the newspaper business and have backgrounds in various aspects of newspaper operations. Bartels also operated a printing press for a few years.
Kontnier has been a Hays County resident for 10 years. She lived above the Hays Free Press while attending Texas State University. She and her husband bought their first home in Kyle and now own a home in Buda, where they live with their son Kyden. She will be actively involved with Barton Publications as the sales representative for the two Hays County newspapers.
Bartels remains in Port Lavaca, keeping the office running smoothly. French’s third daughter Stephanie Mansfield lives in Tennessee with her family.
“I am honored that our family will play a part in carrying on the Barton family legacy,” French said. “We have been involved with the Bartons, the newspapers and the community for so many years that it seems like a natural fit. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
Taking over as publisher is David White. A 1993 journalism graduate of Southwest Texas State, now Texas State University, White has been with the Hays Free Press for 28 years, starting as a darkroom tech and photographer. He has worn many hats in every department since then, and will now be heading the newspaper’s editorial department, consisting of reporters Brittany Anderson and Megan Wehring, both 2020 journalism graduates of Texas State University.
“I am so happy that these newspapers will be in such good hands,” Cyndy Slovak-Barton said. 
“Tania and her family have felt like family for so many years that it is natural that they should take over Barton Publications. I am proud of our combined efforts to make sure that Hays County continues to have great newspapers.”