Chino Valley Champion
The Chino Valley Champion is a weekly newspaper serving Chino and Chino Hills in Southern California.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Chino Valley Champion is a community newspaper serving the Chino Valley area of Southern California. It publishes on a weekly schedule, with its regular edition appearing on Saturday morning, and is divided into geographically focused Chino and Chino Hills editions. The paper’s identity is closely tied to the civic, commercial, educational, and political life of the communities it covers. The newspaper was founded in 1887 by Richard Gird, the founder of Chino. Its original purpose was promotional as well as journalistic: Gird established the publication to advertise the lands of the Chino Rancho and encourage settlement in the community he was developing. The first issue was printed on November 11, 1887, making the paper one of the earliest institutions in the new town and, according to historical accounts, its first business. Early coverage emphasized the advantages of the locality and helped promote Chino as a place to live, work, and invest. John Wasson, a Pomona real-estate agent, served as the first editor, despite an earlier announcement that B. U. Mofflit, formerly of the Oakland Tribune, would oversee the newspaper. In 1891 Wasson left to acquire an interest in the Pomona Times, and Edwin Rhodes became proprietor. Rhodes edited the paper for approximately sixteen years before moving into local banking leadership. His recollection that the newspaper and town developed together reflects the Champion’s long-standing role as both a news outlet and a community-building institution. Ownership changed repeatedly during the twentieth century. Charles A. Gardner acquired the paper in 1906 and removed the word “Valley” from the masthead. John M. Reed followed in 1907, Ralph C. Homan in 1909, and Elmer L. Howell Sr. in 1920. Howell was later joined by his brother-in-law Charles H. Frady, while Howell’s son, R. E. “Bob” Frady, became business manager in 1925 and sole proprietor after his father’s death in 1943. The paper changed hands again in the late 1940s and early 1950s before being acquired by Allen P. McCombs in 1956. McCombs became the newspaper’s most enduring owner and operator. During his tenure the paper survived a serious 1971 firebombing, continued publishing from temporary premises, and later expanded its reach through a combination with the free Chino Valley News. In 1994, the paid Champion edition was merged with the freesheet, producing a combined circulation reported at approximately 41,000 at the time. Bruce Wood became publisher in 2006, while McCombs remained associated with the operation after more than six decades of ownership and management. In 2017, McCombs sold the Champion to Will Fleet and Ralph Alldredge, owners of the Tracy Press. At the time of the transaction, reported paid circulation was approximately 2,000, substantially different from the combined circulation reported after the 1994 merger. Alldredge also owned the Calaveras Enterprise until his death in 2022. McCombs was inducted into the California Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2021, an honor recognizing his long contribution to California community journalism. The Champion remains a local weekly newspaper brand rather than a national media property.
History
The Chino Valley Champion was established in 1887 by Richard Gird, the founder of Chino, California. Gird created the newspaper as a promotional publication for the sale of land associated with the Chino Rancho and for the promotion of the new community. It was reportedly the first business established in Chino. The first issue appeared on November 11, 1887. Although B. U. Mofflit, formerly of the Oakland Tribune, was initially announced as the person who would manage the paper, John Wasson became its first editor. The early Champion combined local news with boosterism intended to attract residents, businesses, and investors. Wasson left in 1891 to acquire an interest in the Pomona Times, after which Edwin Rhodes became proprietor. Rhodes edited the paper for sixteen years and later became a banking executive. His account of the newspaper’s role suggested that the town and paper grew together, with the publication helping define the civic identity of Chino. The paper went through a series of ownership changes in the early twentieth century. Charles A. Gardner purchased it in 1906 and shortened the masthead by removing “Valley” from the name. John M. Reed acquired it in 1907, followed by Ralph C. Homan in 1909. Elmer L. Howell Sr. bought the newspaper in 1920 and was later joined by his brother-in-law Charles H. Frady. Howell’s son, R. E. “Bob” Frady, became business manager in 1925 and assumed control after Howell retired because of ill health in 1938. Following his father’s death in 1943, Frady became sole proprietor. In July 1949, John S. Randolph Jr. and Joseph M. Kaukusch purchased the paper. Their ownership lasted roughly six months, ending in a January 1950 sale to Harry H. Hobart and his son William W. Hobart of Wisconsin. Richard E. Blankenburg, formerly associated with the Roseville Press Tribune, and E. V. Pederson of Grants Pass, Oregon, acquired the Champion in 1952. The paper’s circulation at that point was reported at 1,600. In 1956, Allen P. McCombs, a Stanford University graduate, bought it from Blankenburg for $65,000. McCombs owned and operated the Champion for approximately sixty-one years. One of the most serious incidents during his tenure occurred on May 18, 1971, when a Molotov cocktail started a fire that destroyed about two-thirds of the newspaper office. The attack also affected a nearby law office. McCombs, who was attending a school board meeting at the time, received minor burns while opening a door. Historical documents were lost, but the newspaper’s archive survived, and publication continued from a temporary office. The business later broadened its circulation model. In 1994, McCombs merged the paid Champion with the free Chino Valley News. The combined publication reportedly reached circulation of approximately 41,000. Bruce Wood became publisher in 2006, while McCombs continued to oversee the operation. In 2017, McCombs sold the newspaper to Will Fleet and Ralph Alldredge, proprietors of the Tracy Press. The reported paid circulation at the time of sale was approximately 2,000. Alldredge also owned the Calaveras Enterprise and died in 2022. McCombs was inducted into the California Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2021. The newspaper is described as a weekly publication serving the Chino Valley area, publishing Saturday editions zoned for Chino and Chino Hills. Its continuing role is that of a geographically focused community newspaper, combining local reporting, public-affairs coverage, community information, and advertising.
- 2021
McCombs receives hall-of-fame recognition
[1]Allen P. McCombs was inducted into the California Newspaper Hall of Fame.
- 2017
Sale to Fleet and Alldredge
[1]Will Fleet and Ralph Alldredge acquired the newspaper from McCombs.
- 2006
Bruce Wood becomes publisher
[1]Bruce Wood took over as publisher while Allen P. McCombs continued operating the newspaper.
- 1994
Merger with Chino Valley News
[1]The paid Champion edition was merged with the free Chino Valley News.
- 1971
Office firebombing
[1]A Molotov cocktail caused major damage to the newspaper’s office, but the archive survived and publication continued from temporary premises.
- 1956
Allen P. McCombs acquires the paper
[1]McCombs bought the Champion from Richard E. Blankenburg for $65,000.
- 1906
Masthead shortened
[1]Charles A. Gardner purchased the paper and removed “Valley” from the masthead.
- 1891
Edwin Rhodes becomes proprietor
[1]John Wasson left the newspaper, and Edwin Rhodes succeeded him as proprietor and editor.
- 1887
Newspaper founded
[1]Richard Gird founded the publication as a promotional newspaper for the developing Chino community. Its first issue appeared on November 11.
Products and positioning
A locally focused weekly newspaper positioned around community news, civic information, local advertising, and coverage of Chino and Chino Hills.
Weekly newspaper edition
Chino edition
A weekly local newspaper edition focused on Chino, California. It carries community reporting, public-affairs coverage, local information, and advertising relevant to residents, organizations, and businesses in the city.
Weekly newspaper edition
Chino Hills edition
A geographically zoned weekly edition serving Chino Hills. Its local focus distinguishes it from the Chino edition while retaining the Champion’s community-newspaper format and Saturday publication schedule.
Free newspaper
Chino Valley News
A free newspaper that was merged with the paid Champion edition in 1994. The combination expanded the publication’s distribution and was reported at the time to produce total circulation of approximately 41,000.
Controversies
1971
Firebombing of the newspaper office
On May 18, 1971, a Molotov cocktail caused a fire that destroyed approximately two-thirds of the Champion’s office. A nearby law office was also attacked. The incident was linked in historical reporting to a local dispute involving school board members, including Allen P. McCombs. McCombs suffered minor burns, some historical documents were lost, and the newspaper continued operating from a temporary office.
Brand decisions
2017
Sell the newspaper to Fleet and AlldredgeM&ABackground
After approximately sixty-one years of ownership and operation, Allen P. McCombs transferred control of the Champion.
Action taken
Will Fleet and Ralph Alldredge, owners of the Tracy Press, acquired the newspaper.
Aftermath
The paper entered a new ownership group connected with other California community newspapers. Paid circulation was reported at approximately 2,000 at the time of sale.
1994
Merge the paid Champion with Chino Valley NewsM&ABackground
The newspaper sought to combine its paid local edition with the free Chino Valley News.
Action taken
The two publications were merged into a broader local newspaper operation.
Aftermath
Reported combined circulation reached approximately 41,000.
Sources2 sources
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