Franklin sells publishing business to Johnson family

Tim Franklin’s group of northern Minnesota print and digital news publications are now part of neighboring Northstar Media, a company owned by Gene and Carter Johnson. 

Titles sold include The Pine County Courier in Sandstone, Askov American, Hinckley News, Star Gazette in Moose Lake, the Evergreen shopper, Minnesota Flyer aviation magazine as well as related web and mobile sites, events and niche products. 

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

“I am blessed to find another family owner to continue to provide news and advertising to our longtime readers,” said Tim Franklin.

Franklin will be staying on for a few months to help with the transition. “We’re planning to recruit a group publisher as we join Tim’s operations with our Northstar Media and Kanabec Publications divisions,” said CEO Matt McMillan. “In the meantime, we’re pleased Tim’s agreed to stay on this summer.”

Northstar Media and Kanabec Publications include the Isanti-Chisago County Star, Pine City Pioneer, Kanabec County Times as well as a printing facility in Cambridge. 

The Johnsons also own a suburban group based out of White Bear Lake (Minnesota), a group of Wisconsin publications and ownership in Publishers Printing, a central plant in Amery (Wisconsin).

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