Western News&Info’s Northern Arizona Publications—Including the Williams–Grand Canyon News, Verde Independent, and Navajo-Hopi Observer—Merge into River City Newsgroup
Effective December 1, 2026, the print and digital publications of the Williams–Grand Canyon News, Verde Independent, Camp Verde Bugle, and Navajo-Hopi Observer will transition to new ownership. WNI has owned 100% of these publications for more than 35 years. On the closing date, ownership will transfer to River City Newspapers, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between Wick Communications and Western News&Info.
Wick Communications and Western News&Info are both long-standing, Arizona-based, family-owned media companies. Wick Communications is owned by the Wick family, while Western News&Info is owned by the Soldwedel family. The two companies have been partners in the River City Newsgroup since 1995.
The River City Newsgroup operates print and digital media properties across Lake Havasu City, Parker, Bullhead City, Kingman, Golden Valley, and Wickenburg, Arizona, as well as Needles, California.
Western News&Info President Joe Soldwedel stated: “WNI is making this move to strengthen all facets of the company, retain an ownership position, establish a predictable succession plan, and further solidify our 30-plus-year partnership with the Wick family.”
“Wick Communications is thrilled about the strategic opportunity to merge these media assets across Northern Arizona in partnership with the Soldwedel family and the River City Newsgroup,” said Josh O’Connor, CEO of Wick Communications. “Western News&Info has been an exceptional steward of these publications, and we look forward to RCN continuing to build a strong regional news and advertising footprint across Coconino, Yavapai, and Navajo counties.
