What recent news and changes has Wick Communications announced?
Updated
Wick Communications' most recent public announcements center on three items: a grant-funded newsroom text messaging service, the sale of the Frontiersman to Mat-Su Sentinel, and the sale of its Colorado newspaper group and printing operations to Grand Junction Media. These updates appear in the "Wick in Focus" section of the company's website, which serves as the main hub for its corporate news and announcements.
Grant-funded newsroom text messaging service
Wick Communications received a grant from the Local Media Association and the Family Independent Media Sustainability Group to launch a newsroom text messaging service.
- What it is: A text-based channel for newsroom communication with its audience.
- Who funded it: The Local Media Association and the Family Independent Media Sustainability Group.
- Why it matters: The funding comes from organizations focused on independent media sustainability, suggesting the project is tied to audience engagement and keeping local news viable rather than to a purely commercial product launch.
The announcement does not specify which markets will pilot the service, the timeline, or how readers can opt in. If you are trying to follow or subscribe to that service, the practical step is to watch the individual newspaper sites under Wick's reach for a sign-up prompt, since the corporate site only announces the grant.
Sale of the Frontiersman to Mat-Su Sentinel
Wick Communications announced the sale of the Frontiersman to Mat-Su Sentinel.
- What changed: Ownership of the Frontiersman moves from Wick Communications to Mat-Su Sentinel.
- What it means for readers: Local coverage continues under a new owner rather than closing, based on the announcement framing.
- What is not stated: The sale price, effective date, and any staffing or subscription changes are not included in the announcement text.
If you are a subscriber or advertiser with the Frontiersman, the useful action is to check that paper's own site for transition details on delivery, billing, and contact information, since those operational specifics are not covered in the corporate announcement.
Sale of the Colorado newspaper group and printing operations
Wick Communications announced the sale of its Colorado newspaper group and printing operations to Grand Junction Media.
- What changed: Both the Colorado newspaper group and the associated printing operations transfer to Grand Junction Media.
- Why the printing piece matters: Printing operations are infrastructure, not just titles. Selling them alongside the newspapers means the change affects production capacity and possibly other publications that used that press.
- What is not stated: Which specific Colorado titles are included, the transaction value, and the transition timeline are not given in the announcement.
For anyone tracking local Colorado coverage, the practical step is to follow Grand Junction Media's own announcements for details on which titles it now operates and whether printing schedules or distribution change.
How to track further Wick Communications changes
The company's own "Wick in Focus" section is the primary place these announcements appear, alongside a "Read More" link and an "Our Reach / View Our Markets" entry point for its market footprint.
- For corporate news: Check the Wick in Focus section for new grant, acquisition, or sale announcements.
- For market-level details: Use the individual newspaper sites, since corporate posts tend to announce the event without operational specifics.
- For ownership questions: The three announcements above are the most recent ownership and initiative changes reflected on the site; earlier history (founded in 1926 by brothers Milton and James Wick with the purchase of the Niles Daily Times) is covered separately in the company's background material.
One caveat: the announcements confirm that these changes happened or were initiated, but they do not provide dates, prices, or reader-facing instructions. Treat the corporate post as the signal and the local publication as the source for what it means for you.