Sincell Publishing announces sale of The Republican after 127 years

NCWV Media continued its growth efforts this past week by purchasing The Republican, a weekly newspaper based in Oakland, Md.

The newspaper, which was founded in 1877 by James Hayden, has been owned and operated by five generations of the Sincell family since it was purchased from Hayden in 1890 by Sincell's great-grandfather, Benjamin H. Sincell.

Larry Grimes and David Slavin, W.B. Grimes & Company, represented the Sincell's in the transaction.

"This has been a difficult decision for our family," said Donald Sincell, who has served as editor of the weekly for nearly 40 years. "There is no one in the next generation of our family who is interested in taking over management of the business for the future, so the timing for such a decision seemed right."

There will continue to be family involvement and management from members of the family, as Sincell's younger sister Mary, who has been with the paper for 27 years, will become the new editor and his daughter Rachel will continue to be part of the news staff.

"Brian Jarvis, president of NCWV Media, also comes from a multi-generation family involved in newspaper publishing and clearly understands all of the aspects of 'rural living,' which was another important factor in our decision-making process," Sincell said.

"He and his leadership team are passionate about local media and grasp so well the vitally important role that a local newspaper plays in the community. And they will be adding some exciting new and innovative content and services, giving our paper a fresh look overall."

Jarvis, whose company publishes The Preston News & Journal, The Exponent Telegram daily, as well as The State Journal, The Bridgeport News, The Fairmont News, The Weston News, The Blue & Gold News and NCWV Life Magazine, said the Oakland paper fits the company's strategic mission well.