The Intelligencer Journal and the Lancaster New Era, both published by Lancaster Newspapers Inc., already share a newsroom and plan to publish a combined edition of their paper Monday through Saturday beginning June 29, The Associated Press reported.

The merger is expected to result in the elimination of 60 full-time jobs and 40 part-time positions. The papers have already experimented with this model, publishing a joint Saturday and holiday edition since March 2008.

John M. Buckwalter, chairman of Lancaster Newspapers' board, called the move "a regrettable, but necessary, business decision to strengthen the company."

The Lancaster Journal has an average circulation of 46,204 during the week and the Lancaster New Era counts a circulation of 39,490 on weekdays. The papers' combined Saturday circulation was 83,793, the AP reported.

The company aims to announce details of the restructuring and job cuts by mid-April, Lancaster president Harold E. Miller stated.