The publisher of The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has purchased a historic Chatham-Kent newspaper.

The Thamesville Herald was founded in 1886 and most recently was owned and operated by Allison Humphrey. Heather Wright purchased the community newspaper with a circulation of about 900 in late June. The sale was finalized today (July 28).

Wright plans to expand the coverage area of The Herald to include the communities of Dresden and Bothwell which have been without their own community weekly for several years.

Wright is familiar with the area. She covered Chatham-Kent for a decade and lived in Dresden for much of that time.

“I am very excited to be able to tell the stories of these communities. While the people of Thamesville have seen their stories in their own community newspaper, it has been some time since Dresden and Bothwell have, and many people have already told me how excited they are to have their own community newspaper again,” says Wright.

“It’s also a pleasure for me to continue the great tradition of this 130 year old newspaper.”

The first edition of the renewed Herald will hit the streets of Thamesville, Bothwell and Dresden Aug. 17.