MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Bankrupt newspaper company Freedom Communications announced Monday that it would close the East Valley Tribune in suburban Phoenix on Dec. 31.
The Tribune was put up for sale by Freedom shortly the company filed for bankruptcy in September. Freedom also owns the Orange County Register, dozens of other newspapers and eight television stations.
Interim Chief Executive Burl Osborne broke the news to Tribune staffers, telling them no acceptable offers emerged.
The paper in Mesa went from a daily to a four-day-a-week, free publication in January. In April, it dropped to three days a week. About 40 percent of the staff was cut because of the changes.
About 140 employees now work at the Tribune. Publisher Julie Moreno says they will be offered severance packages and some jobs may be available in other parts of the company.
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Information from: East Valley Tribune, http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
