The Cowichan Valley Citizen has a new owner.
The Vancouver Island Community Newspaper Group has been sold by Glacier Media Inc. to Black Press.
Black Press will assume control of the Comox Valley Echo, Oceanside Star and Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News on Jan. 1. The Nanaimo Daily News, Cowichan Valley Citizen, Alberni Valley Times, Campbell River Courier-Islander and the press in Nanaimo will make the transition on March 2. Glacier Media will maintain control of the Victoria Times Colonist.
Separate transactions were also announced on Wednesday, with Black Press purchasing the Surrey Now, Langley Advance, Maple Ridge Times and their related publications from Glacier Media.
Glacier Media has purchased the Tri Cities News, Burnaby News Leader, Richmond Review and New Westminster News Leader and their related publications and digital properties from Black Press.
The net proceeds from these sales will be used to pay down debt, according to a statement from the company.