Sale of more of Western Communications' portfolio of newspaper will go ahead after a federal bankruptcy judge in Oregon approved the sale of the Union Democrat.

Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers (RISN) is buying the paper and its downtown Sonora building for $1.15 million in a deal brokered by Dirks, Van Essen, Murray & April.

The twice-weekly newspaper was established 165 years ago and has operated from its Washington Street building since 1965. It was acquired by Western Communications in 1998.

RISN and its affiliates operate the Bakersfield Californian, Porterville Recorder, Marysville Appeal-Democrat, Imperial Valley Press, Lodi News-Sentinel and the Antelope Valley Press in California.

Earlier this month, Western Communications sold the La Grande (OR) Observer and the Baker City (OR) Herald to EO Media Group, and the Brookings (OR) Curry Coastal Pilot and Crescent City (CA) Del Norte Triplicate to Country Media. EO Media Group was also approved this week as the buyer for Western Communication's flagship Bend (OR) Bulletin and the Redmond (OR) Spokesman.