Picton Gazette Sold After 46 Years of Family Ownership, Welcomes New Local Publishers
Date: May 19, 2023
After 46 years of family ownership, the Picton Gazette has officially been sold, marking the end of an era for one of Canada’s oldest newspapers. The publication was purchased in 1977 by Earl and Jean Morrison and became a landmark under the leadership of Jean Morrison, who took over after her husband’s death in 1978, making her one of the few female newspaper publishers in the country.
Founded in 1830 as the Hallowell Free Press, the Picton Gazette holds the distinction of being the first newspaper published between Kingston and Toronto. Following Mrs. Morrison’s passing in 2019 at age 97, the paper continued under the care of her adult children and longtime staff.
The Morrison family announced the sale this week, expressing both gratitude and optimism, noting they are pleased to pass the paper on to local owners committed to its future.
The new publishers, Karen Valihora and Christopher Fanning, residents of Prince Edward County, first reached out in 2022 after concerns about the paper’s future arose. Both are English literature professors, with strong ties to the community and children attending Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.
The pair plan to strengthen local reporting, with expanded focus on municipal politics, development, arts, and agriculture. Their immediate goal is reopening a Main Street office, reinforcing the Gazette’s role as a community-centered newspaper.
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