To our readers

It’s been nine months since Freedom Communications purchased Tri-County Newspapers (TCN), and it’s time to update you, the readers, on how it’s going and efforts underway to improve your hometown newspaper – the Orland Press-Register.

We appreciate how you have welcomed us into your communities and the support you have demonstrated.

As promised at the time of the purchase, each of the four newspapers has retained its separate local identity. Freedom believes local news, local information and local advertising is the path to a successful future, and there has been no wavering from that commitment. We are optimistic about opportunities to grow readership and advertising long-term in the communities we serve. 

Of course, newspapers large and small across the country are operating in a challenging economic environment, and cost savings are being implemented throughout the industry. TCN is no exception: so far 2008 is shaping up to be a challenging year financially.  Every aspect of our business is being evaluated and a number of internal operations, most notably the printing of the papers, have been relocated to the Appeal-Democrat plant in Marysville.  We are realizing economies of scale with our sister publication, the Appeal-Democrat, in order to ensure resources are devoted in the local market to gather news and information and help local business prosper through effective local advertising. 

An area newspaper editor recently claimed — incorrectly — that Freedom promised there would be “no changes” in the aftermath of the TCN acquisition last year. No changes? Newspapers are all about doing things differently as they face changing readership habits. The business model is changing, and Freedom and TCN are envisioning what the future holds for readers and advertisers, and the newspapers that serve them.    

Like any new endeavor we’ve had a few disappointments and “merger” pains along the way, but we work through the rough spots, never losing focus on our mission to provide you with a great local newspaper and now a great local Web site too.

While fighting economic headwinds, TCN’s staff is thinking big when it comes to print and interactive initiatives. Consider:

*The newspapers are easier to navigate and look better as the result of page-design changes and the improved quality of the press work.

*TCN employees in news and information gathering and advertising are based in your local community and we are positioning ourselves to increase the amount of time our reporters spend developing new content. 

*The recently redesigned Web sites offer readers breaking local news when it happens. While TCN print editions are published two days a week, the Web sites offer news fast and first. Readers no longer have to wait, for example, for the Wednesday paper to learn of important local news that occurred on Monday. The latest state, national and international news from the Associated Press also can be accessed online.

*In addition, the Web sites offer interactive opportunities for readers, including online polls and the ability to comment on local stories.  Games and TV and movie listings are a keystroke away, and ads can be placed online.

*TCN is offering more niche print publications, such as the upcoming “I-5 Connect,” a resource guide helpful to community members and people traveling along the interstate.

These enhancements — with more to come — wouldn’t be possible if Freedom Communications wasn’t absolutely committed to making the Orland Press-Register your primary source for local information. That commitment includes providing the local resources required for success.

Next week sees an addition to our local leadership team. Michael Green, a veteran reporter and editor who has worked at newspapers large and small up and down the Central Valley, takes over as interim editor overseeing the four newspapers.  Green began his professional career as news editor at the Oroville Mercury-Register. As a reporter in Redding and then Bakersfield, Green covered education, legal affairs and city government. In 2005 he joined the Appeal-Democrat, where he served as features editor before being named opinion-page editor last year.

As we move forward, Tri-County Newspapers will further sharpen its focus on delivering strong local journalism in print and online, and being more involved in the communities it serves.

Please let us know how we’re doing.