Augusta, Ga. - Three Nebraska weekly free community papers (shoppers) owned by Morris Communications Corp. have ceased publication. The announcement was made today in Grand Island, Neb., and applies to the Crete Triangle, the Hastings Triangle and the Kearney Triangle.

The shoppers were members of the Heartland Shopper Network, a group of 10 free community papers distributing more than 225,000 copies each week throughout east central Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The five Nebraska papers remaining in the network are located in the communities of Albion, Columbus, Grand Island, Norfolk and York. The other two papers are located in Yankton and Vermillion, S.D.

"It was a difficult decision to close these newer papers, but we believe it is necessary to focus our efforts on our more established operations," said President Will Morris. "We had fine employees working with the Triangle group, and we sincerely appreciate their diligence and enthusiasm over the past year."

With the closing of the three Triangle publications, the total number of Morris free community papers is reduced from 22 to 19."

Morris Communications is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and computer services. For additional information, see www.morris.com.