Two more Gannett businesses are moving back to family ownership.

In Kansas, Columbus News-Report-owned Larry Hiatt has teamed with a group of southeast Kansas families have agreed to acquire the Pittsburg Morning News from Gannett Co.

Terms were not disclosed for the transaction, in which Dirks, Van Essen & April represented Gannett. A new company has been formed with the goal of keeping the newspaper locally owned.

Hiatt, who worked for the Morning Sun in the 1960s, and becomes publisher, thanked Gannett for helping the smooth transition back to local ownership. “We hope to retain the Morning Sun’s current staff and add more local news and sports reporters, as well as a local advertising sales staff,” he said, stressing the

need for local support in the form of subscribers and advertisers for the venture’s success.

Over the years, the Morning Sun – established in 1887 – has been owned by Stauffer Communications, Morris Communications, Gatehouse Media and Gannett during the past 50 years.

In Missouri, Vernon Publishing – owned by family members Molly, Dane, Sharene and Trevor Vernon (who is also mayor of Eldon, Missouri) – is to acquire a group of publications in the Lake of the Ozarks region from Gannett.

The family already publishes three other newspapers in the area, The Advertiser in Eldon, The Index in Hermitage, and the Tipton Times. They will acquire The Lake Sun, Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate, Boats Magazine, Lake Leader, Lake Lifestyles Magazines, and Vacation News, all published in Camdenton.

“We are excited for the opportunity to publish this group of publications around the Lake of the Ozarks,” said Trevor Vernon. “I have great memories of growing up on and around the lake.

“We think these publications are a natural fit with the others we currently own. The future of these publications and the area is looking bright.” 

Dirks, Van Essen & April again represented Gannett in the transaction, expected to close on September 1.

Pictured: Pittsburg in 2017