Huntington Investors Buy Long-Islander

The Long-Islander newspaper, founded in 1838 by poet Walt Whitman, has been sold to a group of Huntington investors.

On its website, the newspaper said a group headed by James V. Kelly, of Huntington, CEO of JVKellyGroup, Inc., had acquired the paper, which also publishes the Half Hollow Hills Newspaper and The Record newspaper.  The Record circulates in Northport, East Northport, Elwood, Asharoken, Eaton’s Neck and Commack, while  The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper, serves the Dix Hills and Melville communities.

"I am thrilled to lead this group of investors in acquiring Huntington’s top newspaper group,” Kelly, who now carries the title of publisher and CEO of Long Islander Newspapers, said. “The team at Long Islander Newspapers every week delivers on its promise of putting out a top-quality, reliable, unbiased and accurate product. We look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence, as well as to embarking on what will be an exciting time as we implement new ideas and explore the almost limitless possibilities the digital age offers for the continued expansion and growth of the company.”

Back in January, a Washington, D.C.-based investment company had agreed to buy the paper. But the deal fell through and Patch reported that the woud-be buyers were under investigation by the U.S. Labor Department over the handling of employee benefit plans at another publication in Illinois.

JVKellyGroup is a consulting firm that provides cost reduction and risk mitigation solutions, the Long-Islander reported.

Kelly is serving as co-chairman of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, filling the vacancy created by the death of Larry Kushnick in June. Kelly previously served as chamber president from 2005-2009.