THE ANN ARBOR Independent reported that the Heritage Media Group, owned by Digital First Media shuttered the A2 Journal and pulled out of the Ann Arbor marketplace shortly after The A2 Indy was launched in October 2013. Out-county newspapers owned by the Heritage Media Group in Chelsea, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Saline and Manchester were rolled into a weekly paper titled Washtenaw Now.

Media analysts have long speculated the hedge fund which owns Digital First Media would put the collection of 76 newspapers and 160 weeklies in 15 U.S. states up for sale.

The Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News are both part of the Digital First chain of dailies.

“We believe we have many options available to us to maximize the value of our businesses for our stockholders, and the Board of Directors has therefore decided to assess the full range of those opportunities,” Chief Executive John Paton was reported to have told media.

Digital First Media, formed through the merger of Media News Group and the former Journal Register Co. in December last year, said it is the second largest newspaper company in the United States by circulation.

The company said it has hired UBS Securities LLC as its financial adviser and Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP as its legal adviser.

The Heritage Media Group,  which covers the entire U.S. 12th Congressional District, was a one-time 11 paper chain. It now includes Washtenaw Now, the Dearborn Press and Guide, the  Grosse Ile Ile Camera and The News Herald.