 In 1986, Walt and Martha Dear and their children bought "The Gleaner", several western Kentucky weekly newspapers (the "Benton Tribune-Courier", "McLean County News", "Ohio County News" and "Franklin Favorite", plus the Portland, Tennessee "Leader").and a small radio station in Franklin, Kentucky, from the rest of their family.They later acquired the "Union County Advocate" in Morganfield, Kentucky, as well.