The Regional News and The Reporter Sold to a New Local Publisher

The Reporter and The Regional News, two weekly newspapers serving the southwest suburbs, have been acquired by Southwest Community Publishing Co.

The Regional News — founded in 1941 and the oldest business in Palos Heights — has been under Richards family ownership for 67 years. The Richards family bought The Reporter in 1986.

Charles Richards bid a fond farewell to his readership and customers this week in a column published in his newspapers. His daughter, Amy Richards, who took over as publisher in 2005 when her father retired, will stay on with the new ownership.

“It is with mixed feelings that I hand over the ownership of the Regional Publishing Corporation to a new company. Though I retired almost 10 years ago, I still consult with daughter Amy when unusual problems arise,” wrote Richards, who had succeeded his father, Carl, as publisher. “Happily for everyone, Amy Richards will continue as publisher. This keeps her busy handling the day-to-day management as she does now. More importantly, she continues the family commitment to the welfare of the communities which we serve. My wife, Gerri, has been very supportive of the time and energy I devoted to the Regional, but she is totally supporting the sale of my company.”

Southwest Community Publishing Co. is led by Mark Hornung, a co-owner and operator, and is chaired by Steve Landek, mayor of Bridgeview and state senator representing the 12th District. The company, formed in 2012, publishes the Southwest News-Herald, the Desplaines Valley News and the Clear-Ridge Reporter.

A purchase price for The Reporter and The Regional News — which includes the office at 12243 S. Harlem Ave. as well as the printing plant — was not disclosed. With the acquisition, the company now publishes five weekly newspapers in the south and southwest suburbs.

Hornung, a former Chicago Sun-Times executive, was publisher of the Daily Southtown and Star Newspapers from 2001 to 2004. He’s also the managing director of the Community Magazine Group, a collection of monthly health magazines published in the Midwest and New York state.