RUST COMMUNICATIONS PURCHASES FIVE WEEKLIES

Five weekly newspapers in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri have been purchased by Rust Communications of Cape Girardeau, effective Aug. 1. Rust Communications already totally or partially owns six daily newspapers and 11 weekly newspapers in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as Concord Printing Services in Cape Girardeau.

An agreement to purchase the five weeklies in Arkansas was signed this week. The current owners, Ron and Nancy Kemp of Rector, Ark., will continue as publishers of the newspapers.

The five weeklies being acquired by Rust Communications are in Rector, Manila and Piggott in Arkansas and Campbell and Senath in Missouri.

No major changes are anticipated in the staff or the operation of the five weeklies.

"We feel the newspapers will be stronger than ever in the years ahead and will play a significant role in growth and development" of the communities they serve, said Ron Kemp.

Acquisition of the newspapers in Arkansas is a homecoming of sorts for Rust Communications. The father of Gary Rust, president of Rust Communications, was from the Rector area, and there are relatives still residing in that area.

Rust Communications is one of the fastest growing family-owned newspapers companies in the United States. The papers in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee are in counties that are adjacent to one another, which allows the newspapers to network both news and advertising.

"Because of the location of the Kemp newspapers and because of the excellent leadership Ron and Nancy have given them over the years, we are looking forward to our continued relationship," Rust said. "In fact, we have been printing the newspapers at our Kennett plant for several years. With Ron and Nancy on board working with us, we hope to continue the fine tradition of publishing, but also hope to give Ron and Nancy the opportunity to grow with us."

In addition to the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau, the other daily newspapers totally or partially owned by Rust Communications are in Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Dexter and Kennett in Missouri and Blytheville, Ark.