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Johnson Publications sells newspapers in Grant, Imperial and Holyoke

Sale marks end of 69-year run of Johnson involvement in newspapering in the area

Brothers Jesse and Lloyd Mullen, doing business as High Plains News North LLC, are the new owners of The Grant Tribune-Sentinel, The Imperial Republican and The Holyoke Enterprise.

The Mullens signed papers with Johnson Publications Inc. owners Russ and Lori Pankonin and Brenda Brandt on Friday morning, Nov. 19, to make the sale official. Office buildings for the three publications were also included in the purchase.

All current staff members at the newspapers were retained by the Mullens in the transaction.

With Brenda and Lori’s dad, Loral Johnson, starting at The Imperial Republican right out of high school in 1952, it’s been 69 years that the Johnson name has been linked to newspapering in this area.

The four Johnson children, including Brenda and Lori’s brothers, Randy and Kurt, took on responsibilities at the news office at early ages.

Brandt and the Pankonins are grateful to have connected with buyers who grew up in the newspaper business, currently operate weekly newspapers and who have the same sense of community that has been a part of the Johnson business philosophy for close to seven decades.

The Mullens said they were impressed with the three communities, which served as a motivator to purchase the three papers.

Jesse Mullen and his wife, Sasha, own and operate four newspapers in Montana and Idaho, and currently reside in Deer Lodge, Montana, with their children, five dogs, three horses and a geriatric mule. They own the Browsing Bison bookstore group in southwest Montana. 

Jesse has been involved with newspapers since he got his start as a newspaper delivery boy at the Sioux City Journal. He has been an editor and publisher at community newspapers in Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Washington state and Oregon. 

Prior to returning to community journalism, he was an executive with Civitas Media based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked closely with journalists across the United States at Civitas’ more than 100 newspapers. He is president-elect for the Philipsburg, Montana, Rotary Club.

Jesse looks forward to getting involved in the community. 

“We’re honored to be the new caretakers of the Grant Tribune-Sentinel, Imperial Republican and Holyoke Enterprise,” Jesse said.

“Growing up in a newspaper family in eastern Wyoming gave us a great love for small town journalism,” Jesse said.

 “Lloyd and I are excited to protect and grow these newspapers for decades to come.”

Lloyd Mullen, his wife, Karen, and their two Irish terriers, Ronin and Nula, live in Port Townsend, Washington.

Lloyd grew up in the newspaper business with his brothers, Jesse and Louie. Towed in the back of a little red wagon, he used to hand newspapers to his big brothers on their paperboy routes.

Lloyd is an avid photographer and traveler and found a home away from home in Iceland, where he and his wife travel frequently. Lloyd enjoys spending his winter weekends in the Cascades and is a mediocre skier. He graduated with a degree in international studies from the University of Wyoming.

“We are so excited that Brenda, Bob, Lori and Russ have welcomed us to their communities,” Lloyd said.

Loral and Elna Johnson’s direct involvement in the newspapers ended April 1, 1999, when they sold Johnson Publications Inc. to the Pankonins and Brandt.

“I am thrilled for my family and am so pleased that they have been able to turn the newspapers over to another family that has the same values for community newspapering that Loral and I had,” said Elna.

This business transaction will mean retirement from the weekly newspaper routine for the Pankonins and Brandt. They anticipate assisting with the transition for several weeks, then will move forward.

Being a part of their communities has been significant for them, and they see that continuing in retirement.

The Pankonins will continue to call Imperial their home, and Brandt and her husband, Bob, will maintain their home base in Holyoke, Colorado.

 

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The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

308-352-4311 (Phone)

PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140