Ralph W. Sears, former owner and editor of the Shelby County Reporter and mayor of Montevallo, was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Newspaper Hall of Honor on Saturday during a ceremony at Auburn University’s Draughon Library.

Sears and The LaFayette Sun former owner and editor Sam H. Oliver were this year’s inductees, becoming the 105th and 106th posthumous inductees.

Sears and his wife, Marcia, purchased the Reporter in 1967 and operated the newspaper until selling it in 1984.

Sears joins former Reporter owner and publisher Luther Fowler in the Hall of Honor, while also joining former Selma-Times Journal publisher Shelton Prince, father of current Reporter president and publisher Tim Prince.

Prior to purchasing the Reporter, Sears owned and operated radio station WBYE in Calera, where he broadcasted news in the mornings.

Sears was also elected as a Montevallo City Council member in 1956, before being elected as mayor in 1972.

Sears served as the mayor of Montevallo until his passing.