Black Press Ltd. has announced the acquisition of the Little Nickel and Nickel Ads Classifieds based in Lynnwood and Portland, Ore.

Formerly owned by Lee Enterprises in Davenport, Iowa, the publications in the Pacific Northwest have combined weekly distribution of more than 375,000 copies.

Black Press Ltd. is a private company that owns and operates approximately 100 newspapers in western Canada, Hawaii, and Ohio as well as Sound Publishing in Washington state.

Sound Publishing’s operations include 20 suburban newspapers located in Kitsap County, Island County, King County, and San Juan County.

“We see this as an opportunity to extend the Sound Publishing families throughout the state into Oregon,” said Manfred Tempelmayr, President of Sound Publishing. “We are committed to supporting the local communities where we have publications. This alliance will make us a stronger organization leading to greater revenue and greater employment opportunities in those communities.”

The Little Nickel and Nickel Ads Classifieds will join Sound Publishing, doubling the size of the Pacific Northwest company, which will now reach more than 1.4 million readers each week. Sound Publishing’s Web site may be viewed at www.soundpublishing.com.

The two parties plan to close the transaction Sept. 23.