Post to highlight local news
A local publishing company is hoping to tell the story of Martin week by week with the arrival of The Martin Post. Magic Valley Publishing Co., which currently publishes 15 community newspapers in the region, including the Enterprise in Dresden, started the newspaper this month under the editorial leadership of MVP CEO Daniel Richardson, a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and veteran newspaper publisher.
“I love the Martin and Weakley County community,” Richardson said. “I was a UTM student when I got married and had my first child, so memories run deep.”
Richardson’s late father, Dennis Richardson, also spent time covering the news and sports of Martin early in his career at the Weakley County Press.
The Post will feature local news including local government, schools, sports, faith, and more.
In addition to local news, The Martin Post will also feature local opinion columns on things that matter specifically to Martin and the surrounding area in Weakley County. Local religious leaders will pubish weekly columns, and activities of church groups will be highlighted.
Other journalists involved with the publication include MVP Regional Editor and Martin resident Sabrina Bates, former Weakley County Press editor Renee Phelps, MVP Regional Investigative Reporter Shannon Taylor, MVP sports writer Jim Steele, and several others.
Other staff involved with The Post are sales representative Laura Bates and graphic designer Jasmine Williams, who will both continue to work with The Enterprise and other area publications.
The publishing company that has become Magic Valley Publishing was started by Dennis and Lisa Richardson in 1983 with the purchase of one newspaper in Huntingdon and now includes 15 community newspapers focused on local journalism. Dennis passed away in July 2021. Lisa still owns the family business and many management responsibilities are handled by her three sons, Mark, Matthew, and Daniel. The Jackson Post is the first newspaper the company has started.
“We’re so excited about what lies ahead for us and the Martin community,” said Richardson. “We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time.”
