Forrest City, Marianna newspapers sold to newly formed firm

     (AP) – Newspapers in Forrest City and Marianna have been
sold to a newly formed company.
     Argent Arkansas News Media Inc. announced Wednesday the purchase of the
Forrest City Times-Herald and the Marianna Courier-Index from Times-Herald
Publishing Co.
     The purchase price was not revealed.
     Argent is a new company and the two newspapers are the only newspapers it
currently owns. Roland McBride, listed as the incorporator of Argent, said the
company looks forward to continuing community journalism in the two cities.
     Times-Herald Publishing Company publisher Weston Lewey said it has become
difficult in the newspaper industry to remain independently owned and the timing
feels right "to strengthen these two newspapers" with a group that shares a
commitment to local journalism.
     McBride indicated that no immediate changes are planned at either newspaper.