Your local community newspaper has a new owner.

Last Friday, Black Press announced it had purchased the Grand Forks Gazette.

The sale is part of a larger purchase of newspapers in the Kootenays by Black Press. The sale also included the Fernie Free Press, Nelson Daily News, Trail Daily Times and Creston Valley Advance.

"We are very excited to welcome the Grand Forks Gazette into our group of newspapers," said Chuck Bennett, Group Publisher for Black Press in the Kootenays.

The sale was effective July 1, 2010.

Bennett said readers won't see a difference in their weekly newspaper.

"This is a great community newspaper and we have no changes planned," said Bennett.

"It will be business as usual at the paper."

Black Press already owns a number of community newspapers in the area, including the Golden Star, Invermere Valley Echo, Kootenay Advertiser, Nelson Star and Castlegar News.

It also owns community newspapers across B.C., Alberta and Washington St.