The Fordyce News-Advocate, owned by the Bill and Rebecca Whitehead family of Fordyce for more than 70 years, has been sold to veteran journalist Roby Brock.

“I grew up around the News-Advocate selling and stuffing newspapers except for about 10 years at the Malvern Daily Record,” said Bill Whitehead. “At a weekly newspaper you have to wear a lot of hats, from news to advertising.”

“You get a lot of thank you comments and an occasional complaint. It’s a great help to have a good staff like we have had and also a great small community like Fordyce. I want to thank the loyal readers and advertisers and I wish Roby Brock success in the future,” he added.

Brock is the owner of The England Democrat, The Grand Prairie Herald, and The Waldron News – three other weekly papers in Arkansas.

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this legacy newspaper by the Whitehead family,” said Brock. “The incredible longevity of this paper and its contribution to the community and region must be preserved and carried on. I thank the Whiteheads for their trust and I hope to make them proud of our work going forward.”

The Fordyce News-Advocate and earlier versions date back to 1884, making it a 141-year old newspaper, one of the oldest existing enterprises in the state.

Plans are to keep the existing staff, continue printing on a weekly basis, and find new ways to deliver meaningful news content to the community.

“I am so encouraged and happy to get to work with the veterans of the newspaper. Seymore, Pam, Ann and Margaret are all wonderful and talented people. We have already been discussing some changes that we feel will be well-received, and I know they are as excited as me to keep producing news that matters to this town and this region of the state,” added Brock.

This first edition under new ownership reflects some of the changes that will be incorporated into the newspaper. The front page and masthead have been redesigned to better highlight the weekly news. The Fordyce News-Advocate will expand to an 8-page paper immediately and add color on the front page and the new Sports page on Page 8.

Other changes include adding more opinion and industry news relevant to local and state matters as well as adding a personal finance advice columnist, a religion columnist, a new website, and new Facebook page. The website and Facebook page will be launched in the coming weeks.

Subscription prices and advertising rates will not change. Rack sales around town will also remain at the current price of 50 cents.

Brock is the host of Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View, which airs on Sunday morning television across Arkansas. He is also the CEO of Natural State Media, the parent company of Talk Business & Politics and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. He has been in the media business for 27 years.