San Diego's daily newspaper announced Friday that it has bought the firm that publishes eight community weeklies around the county.
U-T San Diego purchased Mainstreet Communications, which puts out the La Jolla Light, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Times, Solana Beach Sun, Carmel Valley News, Poway News Chieftain, Rancho Bernardo News Journal and Ramona Sentinel.
The community newspapers have a combined average net circulation of 99,431, according to the Circulation Verification Council and Mainstreet Media.
The U-T said it will create a new division, U-T Community News, to operate the publications.
U-T San Diego publisher Douglas Manchester said the acquisition is part of an overall strategy to better serve the San Diego community by putting out hyper-local news that complements the more regional reporting of the flagship newspaper.
"We are thrilled to be taking on the stewardship of these community newspapers," Manchester said. "We firmly believe that community news is one of the hallmarks of strong local newspapers, and we intend to continue this legacy for many years to come."
The community newspapers will continue to operate under current management and with separate staffs supported by the U-T San Diego newsroom, according to the U-T.
Phyllis Pfeiffer, current group publisher of Mainstreet Communications' San Diego publications, will continue to lead the community newspaper group as vice president and general manager of the U-T Community News division.
"With the resources of U-T San Diego ownership, we believe we can be more effective than ever in serving our local communities," Pfeiffersaid. "We look forward to expanding our reach and building upon our brand of news."
U-T San Diego will offer advertising in the community publications as part of its integrated media portfolio.
