Stone Communications has sold its Traverse City talk station WJNL (1210AM/101.1FM) and Petsokey talk station WJML (1110AM) to Grand Rapids investment group Mitten News, LLC.

Mitten News will be spearheaded locally by broadcasters David Barr and Mike Sinnard. Barr held the position of promotions and market director for WTCM for 17 years, owned and operated WIFN in Marine City/Port Huron and was most recently general manager at WLDR. Sinnard has headed up sales for a country station in Nebraska, managed newspaper sales, ran an advertising agency and served as sales consultant for Charter Communications in northern Michigan. Barr will serve as general manager of the new stations, while Sinnard will serve as director of sales and business development.

According to Barr, Mitten News expects to make signal and sound improvements at the stations over the next few months. Several other changes are planned to provide more local service to Traverse City, Petoskey and the rest of the coverage area. “We are really excited about being a part of the community," says Barr. “It’s truly an honor to be able to be a part of rebuilding these stations."

The transaction is still being reviewed for final approval by the FCC. Mitten News expects to close on the sale early in the second quarter of 2017, according to a company release.