The local media landscape is going to be swiftly changing. The Southern Standard – the standard of print media in Warren County for nearly 140 years – has been sold and several long-standing employees are no longer with the company, many effective immediately.
Morris Multimedia Company, based out of Savannah, Ga., was the previous owner, but has sold the Paxton Media Group. According to the company’s website, Paxton Media Group “publishes nearly 120 community newspapers in the Southeast and Midwest.”
Among the publications in Tennessee, Paxton Media Group runs The Herald-Citizen and Lebanon Democrat in the general area.
Main Street Media was able to talk to staff members who were informed Monday morning their position at the Standard would no longer be available. Layoffs included the entire print press crew and people holding key positions in the company, including general manager and managing editor.
This sale comes shortly after Pat Zechman, who was with the company for over 50 years, retired at the end of February.
Calls and emails sent to Morris Multimedia Company CEO Charles Hill Morris Jr. and PMG President and CEO Jamie Paxton were not returned by the publishing of this story.
There is no word, currently, on the potential publishing schedule for the Standard moving forward. The paper traditionally reaches newsstands and mailboxes on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. While most of the staff was informed Monday they would not have positions moving forward, some content creators and sales people may be retained. Outside print options are also available to the Standard, where the paper could be printed and shipped locally to be distributed.
Morris Multimedia Company also owned the Smithville Review, which may be a part of the sale.
More information will be added to this story as it becomes available.