Fenice Community Media announces sale of three newspapers to Granite Publications

CEDAR PARK, Texas – Fenice Community Media Group, a Texas-based media management company, today announced the sale of three newspapers managed by the company to Granite Publications of Taylor. 

Granite Publications is acquiring the assets of three Texas weekly newspaper operations: The Fort Stockton Pioneer, the Madisonville Meteor, and the Sealy News, effective Dec. 31, 2020. 

“All three of these publications were previously managed by Granite, and we are confident their knowledge of the newspapers and each local community will leave those operations in good hands,” Fenice President Scott W. Coleman said. 

“The newspapers in Fort Stockton, Madisonville and Sealy have been in my family’s hands for more than three decades, and I am glad that stewardship will continue into the future,” said Fenice CEO Brandi Chionsini, who also serves as a partner in Chionsini Children, Ltd., which owns the majority interest in the three newspaper companies. 

Upon completion of the transaction, Fenice will manage two suburban Texas newspapers: the Hill Country News in Cedar Park, and the Katy Times in Katy, as well as the 167-year-old Gonzales Inquirer – one of the state’s oldest continually operating newspapers. 

Following the sale, Susan Rovegno will serve as publisher of the Katy Times, a position she held while jointly managing the Sealy News since August, 2020.

Steve Fountain will continue in his role as editor and publisher of the Gonzales Inquirer. Fountain has led the day-to-day operations of the Inquirer since August, 2020, following his transfer from the Fort Stockton Pioneer after two years as editor and publisher of that property.

Ginny Brock will continue to lead Fenice’s shared services team, handling creative advertising design and newspaper production operations.