Herald of New Britain, Bristol Press may shut down

The owner of two central Connecticut daily newspapers and 11 weeklies has told employees that the publications could shut down by January unless a buyer steps forward.

Troubled newspaper publisher Journal Register Co. told employees of The Herald of New Britain and the Bristol Press that the papers could close as early as Jan. 12.

Edward Gunderson, the newspapers' publisher, told staff in a memo this week that "in the event that there is no buyer, then we anticipate the facility will be shut down. ... You will not have the right to displace other employees."

Gunderson also sent an identical memo to employees at the 11 weekly papers in the Imprint Newspapers division of Journal Register. (AP)