Brinkley newspaper sold to owners of Helena World

Helena World Chronicle, LLC, the parent company of the Helena World owned by Helena businessmen Chuck Davis and Andrew Bagley, announced today they had reached an agreement to purchase the assets of Hayden Taylor Publishing, which publishes the Monroe County Herald, the only newspaper in Monroe County.

The company announced the intention to rebrand the newspaper as the Monroe County Argus, hearkening back to the Brinkley Argus founded in 1883 and the Monroe County Sun in 1877.

The names Argus and Sun faded away when Hayden Taylor purchased the assets of the Central Delta Argus-Sun owned by the Jacques family in 2017. Taylor renamed the paper the Monroe County Herald.

Davis said the company is committed to local journalism and believes that Brinkley, Clarendon and the surrounding communities deserve a newspaper that keeps them informed about what is happening in their hometowns.

He said, “In ancient times, an argus was a watchful guardian. Thriving communities have vibrant newspapers that make sure the people are informed. And we believe if we fulfill our role to deliver the local content, then the people will support it.”

Bagley added, “We want to write the stories about Brinkley, Clarendon and Holly Grove. Whether it is the Tigers or the Lions on the gridiron and hardwood, the city council meetings, a birth, an engagement, school board meetings, a wedding, or a 100th birthday, we want to share that with the readers.”

The company announced that current subscriptions would be honored and that new rates to renew, along with new single copy retail prices, would be unveiled soon.

Bagley and Davis will switch the printing of the paper to the press operated by the AdvanceMonticellonian, where the Helena World is currently printed.