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Ryan purchases Highland County Press

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By The Highland County Press-
Longtime southern Ohio newspaperman Rory Ryan has acquired The Highland County Press from William Latham and the Sun Publishing Group, it was announced Aug. 27.

Ryan, who has almost 30 years in the printing industry, including the past two decades as a publisher and editor, said he was looking forward to overseeing the day-to-day operations of his own community newspaper.

"It (owning a newspaper) is something that's been hanging around in the back of my mind for some time now," Ryan said this week. "When the opportunity to purchase The Highland County Press arose, I felt it was an opportunity that might not come my way again. I'm very grateful to Mr. Latham and to general manager Tony Adams for working with me on this family business venture."

Prior to purchasing The Highland County Press, Ryan was publisher and editor of The Times-Gazette and County Shopper from August 2002-August 2009. He also was the publisher and editor of The People's Defender in West Union from 1998-2002, served as assistant managing editor of The Portsmouth Daily Times, and was sports editor and editor of the former Press Gazette in Hillsboro.

Ryan admitted purchasing another newspaper in the same town where he's worked for many years was not, by any means, an easy decision.

"I've hired or promoted more than half of their current staff," Ryan said. "And I think the world of all of the quality people they have. I really do. And I will always appreciate the years I worked there."

In addition to publishing The Highland County Press, Ryan also serves on the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees. He was appointed to a six-year term by former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft in 2006.

Ryan and his staff, which includes two family members, and three award-winning newspaper veterans, Angie Matticks, Lisa Wharton and Stephen Forsha, began in earnest on Sept. 1.

He welcomes readers and advertisers to stop by and say hello at 113 W. Main St. in Hillsboro or you can send Ryan an e-mail at: roryeryan@gmail.com.
"Highland County readers and advertisers are very familiar and comfortable working with Angie, Lisa and Stephen," Ryan said. "All of us are here to help you market your business and offer our assistance in any way we can."[[In-content Ad]]

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