Phil and Lesa Major are the new owners of the Wood County Monitor.

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

The Wood County Monitor has been purchased by Phil and Lesa Major.

The Majors took over operations on Jan. 1 and plan to become residents of the community as soon as possible.

Phil will be the publisher while Lesa will be the business manager, and their son, Sam, will have responsibilities including graphic design, photography and technology.

The Majors have previously owned The Clay County Leader in Henrietta, Texas and most recently worked for The Kaufman Herald.

“We are excited to return to community newspaper ownership,” Phil Major said. “And we are especially excited to be in Wood County, an area we have been visiting for many years.”

Major’s father purchased property in the area more than 25 years ago, and the Majors have traveled there numerous times as well as taken in many of the local sights and events.

“Wood County is a vibrant place with many activities, active groups and lots of signs of progress,” Major said.

“We can’t wait to become involved.”

The Majors will be operating the Wood County Monitor independently, and it will be their only publication.

“We are well aware of the great history of the Monitor and have known many of the fine folks who have worked here over the years,” Major said. “We plan to work hard to continue those traditions and make sure that Wood County has the kind of quality newspaper it deserves.

“We have a great staff at the Monitor and appreciate their dedication to the communities and to producing a first-rate community newspaper,” he added.

The Majors have been active in the Texas Press Association and the North and East Texas Press Association, where Major has served as president as well as other roles.

They have also been active in civic and church groups and other organizations.

“Please stop by and say hello, and please be patient for a few weeks as we make the transition back to local ownership,” Major said.