The Ames Tribune was sold last week to Stephens Media, a Nevada-based company.

Previously owned by Midland Newspapers Inc., which is a subsidiary of the Omaha World-Herald, the Tribune was purchased along with several other area newspapers, including the Boone News-Republican, the Nevada Journal, the Tri-County Times and Dallas County News.

The Tribune also announced the hiring of a new publisher. The previous publisher, John Goossen, reportedly resigned from his position to pursue other interests. His successor will be Tom Stallbaumer, 51, who is currently the publisher of the Morning News in Springdale, Ark. Stallbaumer will also be the publisher of all other newspapers Stephens Media purchased.

Employees of all purchased newspapers will keep their jobs, and publication and distribution will not change.

Stephens Media used to own the Oskaloosa Herald, where Stallbaumer was publisher, and the Clinton Herald.

Stallbaumer said he was excited to get back into the Iowa newspaper community.

Omaha World-Herald Chief Executive Officer Terry Kroeger wrote that he and his company were “fortunate” to have worked with the Tribune and other area newspapers.

He added that as Ames is outside their primary market area, it made good business to cash in on their investment and sell the papers.

Kroeger said he is grateful for all Goossen and his staff produced under his ownership.