St. Joseph, Mo. ? Three newspapers in Miami County, Kan., have been purchased by the News-Press & Gazette Co. of St. Joseph.

The company, which publishes the St. Joseph News-Press, is buying the Miami County Republic, a twice-weekly paper with a circulation of 4,000 and 4,750; the Osawatomie Graphic, a weekly with a circulation of 3,000; and the Louisburg Herald, with a weekly circulation of 1,950.

Besides the St. Joseph News-Press, NPG Newspapers owns newspapers in Atchison and Hiawatha, Kan.; in Smithville, Kearney, Liberty and Raytown; and other publications in the Kansas City area.

NPG Newspapers is the operating unit of the News-Press & Gazette’s publications.

Phil McLaughlin, publisher and principal owner of the three Miami County newspapers, said he decided to sell the papers to pursue other interests. He said he wanted the publications to be owned by an established nearby publisher committed to serving local communities.

The sale is projected to close Oct. 1.