Petersburg Pilot sold to former employee

Former Petersburg Pilot employee Orin Pierson has purchased the newspaper from Ron and Anne Loesch, who have owned the operation since the mid-1970s.

Pierson took over ownership on Jan. 1.

The Loesches also owned the Wrangell Sentinel for 17 years before they sold it to Larry Persily on Jan. 1, 2021.

Pierson worked for the Pilot between August 2006 and June 2016 when he left to work for KFSK radio for nearly five years. He returned to the Pilot on Oct. 1 of last year as general manager.

“Orin worked for us for 10 years, so he certainly knows how the newspaper runs. He knows the local business owners and most of the local folks. We’re thrilled to have a local person take over the newspaper,” Loesch said.

The Loesches said they will remain in Petersburg.

The Pilot has been in existence since 1976; the Sentinel since 1902.