Another interesting development from the Orange County Register-Aaron Kushner end. On Tuesday, parent company Freedom Communications closed a deal to acquire Newport Beach-based Churm Media, publishers of free monthly magazine OC Metro and other similar print publications.

From this morning’s report by Ann Marie Milbourn:

“Steve Churm and the entire Churm Media team have done a fabulous job over multiple decades building a wealth of relationships and a portfolio of publications, websites, events and services that are robust, engaging and invaluable for Orange County,” said Kushner…

Added Churm: “This acquisition will significantly enhance the foundation we’ve built with readers and advertisers and help us reach our full growth potential. It’s a tremendous opportunity and we can’t wait to get started.”

CEO Churm, a one-time Register (and LA Times) reporter, also publishes OC Family, Southland Golf, Coast and OC Menus magazines. All of which have been printed since Day One at the Register’s commercial facility in Anaheim. There’s also an events and marketing firm in the mix, Ripe Orange, which Kushner cleverly hopes to connect to his Register advertising base.

Read Milbourn’s full report here.