John Derby, publisher and president of Mid-Valley Publications’ five weekly newspapers in Merced and Stanislaus counties, died Jan. 9, 2024, at his winter vacation home in Mexico, the Merced County Times reported. He was 87.
The group began in the 1960s with the Winton Times and grew to include the Merced County Times, Atwater-Winton Times, Hilmar Times, Hughson Chronicle & Denair Dispatch and Waterford News.
In November, Derby was praised for being the oldest working newspaper publisher in California, the obituary said. “He is also known for coining the local slogan and business mantra, ‘The Power of Positive Press.’”
