 In order to allay those rumors, then-publisher John A. Newby wrote a column that firmly stated that the "Herald-Argus" was profitable and "lean" and therefore would not see any dramatic changes.Despite published claims to the contrary, in October, shortly after taking over operation of the paper, Paxton Media laid-off about half its staff at the "Herald-Argus" and moved its production location to that of the Paxton-owned "Herald-Palladium" in St. Joseph, Michigan, which by Paxton's own admission, has negatively impacted the paper's ability to publish timely local news.Reminiscent of the abrupt manner in which the "Herald-Sun" firings were conducted, at least one longtime "Herald-Argus" staffer was notified of her termination via certified mail while she recovered from surgery at home.