MEDIA

20 Southland Community Newspapers Close: Southern California Community Newspapers ceased publishing more than 20 of its papers, including the South Gate Press, the Alhambra Post-Advocate and the Buena Park News, and laid off dozens of staffers. Remaining open is the chain’s Northeast Newspapers subsidiary, which publishes under eight mastheads and includes the South Pasadena Journal and the Eastside Journal. SCCN filed for bankruptcy protection last September, citing potential liability from a lawsuit, but sources said the South Gate chain’s nearly $11 million in debt was the real problem. The company’s banks put the chain up for sale last month for $1 million but no buyers were able to meet the deadline. Publisher Ric Trent didn’t return several phone calls.