The website immediately slows down to molasses. Hearst's purchase includes the Palos Verdes Peninsula News, The Beach Reporter and More San Pedro. Dean Singleton's MediaNews will operate all of the publications and take over ownership. Breeze Publisher Art Wible announced his retirement, but editor Phillip Sanfield said, "For years, we've produced quality journalism but struggled significantly on the business side. With the synergies that MediaNews brings, we've got an opportunity to excel with our local print and online content as well as prosper financially. That's good for the long-term vitality of the Breeze." The sale ends 78 years of Copley ownership here.

* Singleton speaks: He just told the newsroom there would be no pay cuts and no one would be required to re-apply for their jobs, but said decisions on budget cuts would await meetings with department heads. The Breeze becomes part of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, which includes the Daily News, Press-Telegram, Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and other papers. The new publisher of the Breeze is Liz Gaier (shown above with Singleton), who had been Senior Vice President New Business Development at MediaNews.

Also: Mark Lacter at LA Biz Observed brings the perspective of time and notes that Singleton tried to get the Breeze (and the late Santa Monica Outlook) in 1998.

Updated couple of times

Photo: Scott Varley/Daily Breeze