#NWT Hub newspaper sold to Northern News Services @NNSLOnline

The Hub, Hay River's newspaper of record http://www.hayriverhub.com , has been sold to Mike Scott and Northern News Services Ltd. http://nnsl.com of Yellowknife effective Sept. 30. Northern News Services publishes news/north, the Yellowknifer and a number of smaller Northern weeklies.

The sale follows roughly two years of talks and negotiations.

http://www.hayriverhub.com/2011/09/hub-newspaper-sold-to-northern-news-services/

Hub publisher Chris Brodeur bought The Hub in May 1975 from Pat and Harry Engbers, school teachers who founded the newspaper in February 1973. The Hub, in some ways is coming full circle, as it was started with the assistance of Jack (Sig) Sigvaldason on his kitchen table in Yellowknife. He also started the Yellowknifer in 1972 and is co-owner of  Northern News Services.

"It has been a fascinating career and life for a city boy from Montreal," said publisher Brodeur, "but after 39 years in the newspaper business in Hay River, 36 as publisher of The Hub, and after having moved to Calgary 12 years ago, it was time to look for a new owner with ongoing Northern roots. Mike Scott, who was born in Hay River, is that person."

"Rita and I loved, and still love the North and the people here. Hay River is a special town with a great 'can do' attitude. Mike and his group will continue to do a great job providing Hay River residents with an award-winning local newspaper of which everyone here can be proud. I wish Mike all the best with his new endeavour back in his home town."

"Purchasing The Hub is an exciting opportunity for Northern News Services," said Scott. "Hay River is the second largest community in the North and has always had strong newspaper readership. We believe we can grow The Hub in concert with our flagship paper, news/north, serving readers and advertisers for many years to come. Expanding into Hay River also brings my partner Jack (Sig) Sigvaldason and I full circle back to Hay River. I started my newspaper career folding sheets for Don Taylor at the Tapwe in the 1960's."

The Sept. 28, 2011 issue of The Hub will be the last issue published by Hub Publications Ltd.

Watch for next week's issue of The Hub for a farewell column from publisher Brodeur.