Will Fleet, publisher of the Fresno Bee, announced his resignation from the newspaper on Tuesday, Oct. 23, effective Oct. 31. He is purchasing the Tracy Press with Ralph Alldredge, publisher of the San Andreas-based Calaveras Enterprise. The two men are expected to serve as co-publishers of the 114-year-old publication. Photo courtesy Fresno Bee
Ralph Alldredge, publisher of the San Andreas-based Calaveras Enterprise.
Will Fleet, who served as publisher of the McClatchy Co.-owned newspaper for four years, announced his resignation Tuesday, Oct. 23. His last day is Oct. 31.
Ralph Alldredge, publisher of the San Andreas-based Calaveras Enterprise, has previously been named as a partner in the sale.
Fleet identified himself to the Tracy Press on Oct. 15 but requested that no news of his departure be released until he formally resigned from the Bee.
The final steps of the sale by members of the Matthews family — which has owned the Press since 1943 — could be officially completed in as little as 10 days. The sale will include the Tracy Press, the Patterson Irrigator and the Scotts Valley Banner.
Chief Judge Christopher M. Klein approved the pair’s purchase bid in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of California in Sacramento on Oct. 10.
While the Press and the Banner have been under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since July 2010, Patterson Irrigator LLC remains solvent.
The Press filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2010. The Press was first printed April 2, 1898.
Robert Matthews serves as the Press’ present publisher. Alldredge and Fleet are expected to serve as co-publishers of all three papers.
Each man has previously served a one-year term as president of the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
• Contact Joel Danoy at 830-4229 or jdanoy@tracypress.com.
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