INI acquires Upper Westsider, Scottsdale North News, North Tatum Times, Paradise Valley View
Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, continues to expand its footprint in the Phoenix Metro market.
The Arizona group, home of the Phoenix Daily Independent at YourValley.net, and the Fountain Hills Times Independent at FHTimes.com acquired EG Publishings’ four community newspapers The Upper Westsider, Scottsdale North News, North Tatum Times and Paradise Valley View.
INI President & CEO Charlene Bisson, who grew up in Arizona, believes the business and community news publications are a good fit for INI because they are in ZIP Codes that the company has not served yet. Also, she continues to have a strong business relationship with former owners Natasha and Brian Beal.
“The Beals are well-known in the North Phoenix market,” Bisson said. “They have been excellent business associates and we look forward to a working relationship in years to come with them.”
The Beals will continue to publish Epic Kids as well as the Good Deeds Guide, a nonprofit guide that EG Publishing distributes each March and November.
Multimedia Advertising Consultants Kris Marler and Jim Bounds joined the INI family as well as graphic designers Erica Odello and Shannon Carrillo.
“I believe this is an excellent opportunity for my past, present, and future clients and am excited to be a part of their growth. I look forward to joining forces with Independent Newsmedia,” Marler said.
Bisson noted the Independent is committed to expanding throughout the Phoenix market, so there are no news deserts in our Arizona cities and towns.
“We have ambitious plans in 2025, and we’re blessed to have great people at INI to excute the plans,” she added.
Independent Newsmedia has been publishing in Arizona since 1970.
The company opened two newspapers during the pandemic – Florence and Mesa – and expanded its Scottsdale circulation October 2022. The Arizona group launched the Tempe Independent in April 2022, then acquired JG Media National’s Phoenix operations, which included Community Impact of Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe in July 2022. In October 2024, it acquired Tempe’s longest circulating newspaper the Wrangler News.
Independent Newsmedia owns Valley Newspapers, a state-of-the-art commercial printing plant that is located near Deer Valley Airport. The company also publishes community newspapers in Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Florida and owns a press in Delaware.
ADOT plans last round of I-17 closures for pavement work
Independent Newsmedia
Southbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix is scheduled to be closed Jan. 17-20 as the Arizona Department of Transportation starts a final series of weekend work for pavement improvements south of State Route 74/Carefree Highway.
A primary detour route will be in place west of I-17, state transportation officials said, emphasizing drivers should avoid using local streets east of I-17 that are not designed to handle freeway traffic.
Specifically, southbound I-17 will be closed between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20. Southbound I-17 on-ramps at Daisy Mountain Drive and Pioneer Road also will be closed.
Southbound I-17 traffic will detour on westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and use eastbound Loop 303 to return to I-17, according to ADOT.
Approximately three other I-17 weekend closures are anticipated, including two northbound, as crews work to finish the project that began late last spring.
Town of Paradise Valley seeks volunteers
The Town of Paradise Valley seeks residents interested in sharing their time and experience by serving on one of the town’s volunteer committees.
This announcement recently went out via the Town Manager’s Weekly Update, and there’s still time for interested residents to throw their hat into the ring.
Volunteer opportunities include reviewing land-use applications and variances, organizing public art programs, preserving the town’s history, promoting public safety programs and resources, and providing other vital assistance to the town administration, the announcement explained. Specifically in this appointment cycle, there are vacancies on the Planning Commission, Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust and Historical Advisory Committee, as well as other potential vacancies. A complete list of committees, their descriptions, time commitments, and their past actions may be viewed online at paradisevalleyaz.gov/98/Volunteer-Opportunities.
Applications may be completed and submitted online at paradisevalleyaz.gov/forms.aspx?FID=125, or interested parties may submit a resume and cover letter to the Town Clerk’s Office, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive. The application deadline is Friday, January 31, according to the announcement. The Town Council will meet with applicants in early February and appointments will be made by the end of February. The terms of office will begin April 1.
“By volunteering for a committee, you will join a proud tradition of citizen service in Paradise Valley and meet other like-minded residents who are passionate about preserving that which makes our community special,” the announcement states.
For additional information, contact the town clerk’s office via email at [email protected].
