Last week a Connecticut legislator made news by suggesting that the state somehow assist two newspapers that were about to shut down. His efforts prompted Reuters to write an analysis on the wisdom of government bailing out failing newspapers, and that was the subject of an Editors’ Desk item Friday.

Those two papers appear to have been rescued in a more conventional manner: They are being sold, the owner Journal Register Co. reports today.

The story doesn’t disclose financial terms, nor does it mention any tax breaks or other government assistance. But the Journal Register’s story does contain this quote from the owner of the company buying the papers:

“We also received substantial support from mayors of both towns, Tim Stewart in New Britain and Art Ward in Bristol.”

Here’s the top of an Associated Press story on the deal:

Financially troubled Journal Register Co. has agreed to sell two of its daily newspapers in Connecticut, less than two weeks before its deadline to shut down the publications.

Edward Gunderson, publisher of The Herald of New Britain and The Bristol Press, said that Michael E. Schroeder, owner of Central Connecticut Communications, has signed a letter of intent to buy the two daily newspapers.

The sale should be complete within two weeks. The deal also includes the purchase of three weekly papers _ the Wethersfield Post, the Newington Town Crier and the Rocky Hill Post.

Schroeder is former publisher of BostonNOW, a free commuter daily that shut down last spring. He also worked for Newsday for 15 years, The Herald and the Bristol Press reported in Wednesday’s editions.