Proctor Journal Publisher Jake Benson has purchased the Hermantown Star from co-owners Wade Petrich and Jim Holmgren, the Star reported Thursday.

The sale was completed in January.

“I am looking forward to the possibilities with these two publications and to strengthen the presence of both in Hermantown and Proctor,” Benson said in the Star.

Petrich said merging the staffs would benefit both communities.

“We have some great skill sets at the Star and Journal, and it should be fun to see how this merger will improve the overall product,” he said in the news story.

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