Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers buys California paper

Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers was approved by a federal bankruptcy judge to buy The Union Democrat and its and its building in Sonora, California, the paper reported.

Judge Trish M. Brown in Portland, Oregon, approved the sale. Ownership was set to transfer on July 31.

The purchase follows the January Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Western Communications, in which the company listed citing $29 million in debt. Western Communications considered restructuring, but opted to liquidate, the paper reported.

Oregon-based EO Media purchased Western Communications’ papers in La Grande and Baker City (Oregon) in June.

Pending is the sale of the Western Communications’ paper in Bend, The Bulletin.

Western Communications has garnered around $3.5 million in paper and real estate sales, according to The Union Democrat.

Western Communications’ headquarters in Bend will be the final property to be sold, according to The Union Democrat.

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