Rust Communications purchases newspaper

Rust Communications of Cape Girardeau has purchased a twice-weekly newspaper and a shopper in Tennessee, where the company owns two daily newspapers. The 5,000-circulation Lewisburg Tribune/Marshall Gazette and the 15,000-circulation Marshall County Shopper were purchased from the Lewisburg Printing Co. The Tribune-Gazette has been owned by the Hawkins family since 1898. Hugh Jones, publisher of the nearby Shelbyville Times-Gazette, also owned by Rust Communications, will be the publisher and part owner of the latest acquisitions. Rust also owns the State Gazette in Dyersburg, Tenn. Rust Communications owns more than 50 newspapers in eight states, including 19 daily newspapers.