Tony Bender, president and chief executive officer of Redhead Publishing, has purchased the stock holdings of his business partner and ex-wife, Julie Bender, making him the sole owner of the company.

Redhead Publishing operates The Ashley Tribune and The Wishek Star. The couple's divorce became final in December.

The Benders bought the newspapers in 1998, with Tony directing operations at The Tribune, and Julie doing the same at The Star for nearly two decades.

Tony Bender remains editor in Ashley and serves as publisher and advertising director of both newspapers.

Julie, who relocated to Pennsylvania, had been overseeing The Wishek Star in absentia for most of 2016.

Francis Materi, The Star's longtime editor, now handles day-to-day operations in Wishek.

Tony continues to reside in rural McIntosh County with a daughter, India. A son, Dylan, attends Bismarck State College, and is employed with the newspapers during the summer months as an advertising sales representative.

Tony says the change will be a positive one for readers and advertisers. The buyout allows better continuity and communication between the two offices. Readers can expect more content.

“That’s Life," Tony's award-winning weekly column — which in the past referred to Julie as “The Redhead” — continues to be a mainstay on the editorial pages of The Star and The Tribune, as well as in several other newspapers across the Dakotas. The Star also recently added columnist Dean Meyer.

A new combined website, mcintosh-star-tribune.com, launched last week, with free and paid content from both newspapers. The newspapers’ previous online presence was through a portal on www.centraldakotanews.com.

Bender says the print and online platforms will add value for readers and advertisers alike. Recent special publications, including Ag Outlook, and the weekly classified page are available online for all viewers.

“We’ll be more effective in promoting our communities and the businesses we represent, both locally and worldwide,” Tony says.

At mcintosh-star-tribune.com, single issues ($2), a day pass ($5), or annual online subscriptions ($40) are available.

Online subscribers to either or both newspapers have access to the current editions in PDF format, as well as to an archive that dates back to 2009.