Jeff Allen Jones, Owner and Publisher of Jones Media Partners LLC, announced today that Columbus County News (CCN) has been sold to Southeastern Community News, an organization led by CCN Managing Editor Jefferson Weaver.
“My wife Denice and I have been looking to transition our business interests in Columbus County for nearly a year, and we couldn’t think of anyone more qualified to take the reins of CCN than Jefferson Weaver,” Jones said. “Jefferson has been reporting news in Columbus County longer than anyone else locally, and he has been with me since the very beginning when we launched Columbus County News. I’m confident passing the baton to someone local who will build on what we created. I know CCN will continue providing residents with fair, unbiased local news every day.”
Jones and Jones Media Partners LLC, based in Brunswick County, will continue operating their online radio network, My Radio Zone, while exploring new opportunities.
“From the start, really before the start,” Weaver said, “my wife Rhonda and I have prayed about this venture, and asked for guidance on what to do. When Jeff Allen said he wanted to focus on other projects, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“CCN is and has been a dream of mine from day one. Sometimes it was a nightmare,” he laughed, “but this really is a positive move.
“We’ll be moving to our new office in a few days, as well as making few other changes here and there. We will still strive to be the first and most concise with your local news. We will continue to be fair in all things. We will continue to be as available as humanly possible tour readers, and indeed we’re making some improvements to increase that availability. We will continue to be entirely free to read. There will not be a paywall at Columbuscountynews.com.
“We all live here. Most of us are from here, or it has been our home for decades. What affects you affects us, and what interests you interests us.
“The staff is excited, and we all wish Jeff and Denice the very best.”
Columbus County News is based in Whiteville and is in the process of moving its office to a new downtown location. The purchase price was not disclosed.
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