Three papers closed by Times’ owner get a new lease on life
Charlie Plowman, the owner of Outlook Newspapers in La Cañada Flintridge, has acquired the assets of three recently folded newspapers from the Los Angeles Times’ parent company.
Plowman takes immediate ownership of the Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press and La Cañada Valley Sun just two weeks after The Times’ owner, California Times, announced that it was shutting down the three award-winning papers because of the economic crisis brought on by the novel coronavirus.
With the deal, the 52year-old La Cañada Flintridge publisher significantly expands his news operation. Plowman has published the La Cañada Outlook since 1998, and he later added the Pasadena Outlook and titles in South Pasadena and San Marino. The plan is to combine the two La Cañada papers into one publication called the La Cañada Outlook Valley Sun and restart the Glendale and Burbank papers with new editions Saturday.
“We are thrilled to have acquired three iconic newspapers with deep roots and historic legacies in their respective communities,” Plowman said in a statement Thursday announcing the deal. “I heard the outpouring from local residents, as to how much they love these publications, and want to support them.”
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Weekly editions of the Burbank Leader and Glendale News-Press will continue to be distributed to readers of The Times in those areas, as they have been in the past.
Plowman, who grew up in La Cañada Flintridge, said in the statement that he plans to increase coverage of his hometown and the two San Fernando Valley communities.
The 14 community news staff members who lost their jobs as part of the closures will not move to the Outlook Newspapers group. Plowman said he would be reviewing staffing levels and coverage plans.
“What readers will see in the months to come is our commitment to quality journalism as we cover local events, write feature stories, perform investigative reporting and highlight the community’s youth through their achievements in academics, athletics and the arts,” Plowman said.
California Times, based in El Segundo, has been cutting costs in response to a devastating drop in advertising due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown.
“We are happy that these long-standing newspapers will continue, and that readers in Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada will continue to receive local coverage of their communities,” said California Times President Chris Argentieri.
California Times continues to publish the Daily Pilot and TimesOC in Orange County.