SNITCH,

the weekly Louisville-based crime newspaper that has struggled financially, was sold yesterday to a pair of Lexington-based businessmen, one of whom already holds a stake in the paper’s Lexington franchise.

Tim Woodburn, a radio talk show host on Lexington’s top-rated AM station, is the current publisher and co-owner of the Lexington Snitch. He will assume the role of publisher for both papers. His partner, Brent Boyd, who owns Phoenix Advertising in Lexington, will also have a lesser financial interest in the Lexington paper, according to a news release. Likewise, Jeannie Jeffery, co-owner of the Lexington Snitch, will have a minority interest in the Louisville paper.

Snitch, a national publication with franchises in four other cities, published its first issue in Louisville in July 2001. Woodburn will continue to employ most of the current editorial, sales, design and administrative staff members in either full-, part-time or freelance capacities, according to the release. Co-founder Tim Sanford will be retained as a consultant. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. —Stephen George