Sun Newspapers' Parent Company Purchases Berreth Publications

Posted on November 5, 1999

Lionheart Newspapers, the parent company of Sun Newspapers, has acquired Berreth Publications, headquartered in Waconia, Minn., from James & Kathryn Berreth. Berreth currently publishes six weekly newspapers with a total weekly circulation of 40,000 in the Waconia area. The newspapers published by Berreth include: Waconia Patriot, Norwood-Young America Times, Carver County News, Gold Miner, The Laker, and The Pioneer.

The acquisition of Berreth Publications, to be renamed Sun-Patriot Newspapers, brings Sun's total circulation in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul market to 375,000, now including 36 weeklies and one daily newspaper. All newspapers will continue to operate independently under the Sun Newspapers umbrella.

"We believe in being ruthlessly local," said Frank G. Chilinski, President & Publisher of Sun Newspapers, and President of all of Lionheart's Minnesota publishing operations. "A good community newspaper reflects the community it serves," Chilinski added. "Berreth Publications will continue to be run locally by the quality local staff who know and best understand their communities. This is a fine group of community weeklies and we are proud to have them as part of our group."

This is Lionheart's second acquisition in the Twin Cities area since September. In early September, Lionheart purchased Larson Newspapers, headquartered in Osseo, Minn. Associate Publishers Keith Anderson and Karen Miller will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the Sun-Patriot group and will report directly to Chilinski.