Maine's largest media company buys storied newspaper

A family that has owned a Maine newspaper company for more than a century has announced a sale to the owner of the state's largest newsgathering company.

The Costello family has operated the publishing company that owns central Maine's Sun Journal since the 1890s. The Sun Media Group employs 225 people and includes magazines and weekly newspapers.

Reade Brower's purchase of Sun Media Group under the new SJ Acquisition company will close Aug. 1.

Brower tells the Portland Press Herald he expects most Sun Media Group employees will be rehired.

Steve Costello told the Sun Journal the newspaper wasn't looking to sell but the move would help digital efforts.

Brower owns MaineToday Media, which includes the Kennebec Journal, the Morning Sentinel and the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram.