The Traverse City Record-Eagle, long rumored to be on the block, is to be sold to Community Newspaper Holdings Inc of Birmingham, Alabama.

According to this report CNHI has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire six community newspapers, including the Traverse City Record-Eagle, from Dow Jones & Co Inc for $282.5 million in cash.

It is not known whether the recent campaign against the Record-Eagle by a coalition of local government officials and business men was a factor in the sale.

CNHI owns more than 200 daily, weekly and semi-weekly publications in 20 states. Some editors and reporters at papers acquired by the company have complained of a formulaic approach that have diminished the quality of once-vibrant publications.