SCRANTON, Pa.—Lawrence K. Beaupre, managing editor of The Times-Tribune of Scranton and executive editor of regional media conglomerate Times-Shamrock Communications, announced his retirement.

Beaupre, 67, leaves Times-Shamrock after 12 years. Publisher and CEO W. Scott Lynett said there will be a national search for Beaupre's successor, the newspaper reported on its website.

"He has made our papers more locally connected and has taught us all how to better serve our readers and grow our audiences, not only in print but also digitally," Lynett said.

Beaupre also had executive editor oversight of seven other Times-Shamrock papers, including The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre and the Standard Speaker in Hazleton.

Beaupre told the staff Tuesday that Dec. 31 will be his last day as editor, though he will continue working full time through March 31 to help his successor in the transition. After that, he will remain with Times-Shamrock as a part-time consultant for another year.

Beaupre's retirement ends a 50-year career in print journalism that took him to papers including the Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union and The Cincinnati Enquirer.

He told the staff that Scranton was his most satisfying stop as a journalist.

"This one taught me the real meaning of local news and the impact you can have on the community with a really vigorous newspaper. ... I have enjoyed getting up every day and coming to work and trying to produce the best local newspaper we possibly could," Beaupre said.