2000-07-20

Read the Latest Acorn!

Click below to read the latest edition of The Acorn!

Enjoy the new online reading experience!

Subscribe to The Acorn

Acorn online content now offered free

'Paywall' removed

The new millennium has been a transformative time for newspaper publishing.

Changing reader habits and the advent of new technology have placed big demands on companies in the print news business.

The Acorn and its parent company, Times Media Group, understand that their biggest responsibility is not only the delivery of credible, relevant information in a timely fashion, but making sure residents have easy access to the publication when stories become available.

That’s why we’re super excited about the news being shared today.

Following a five-year stretch in which Acorn readers were given the option of purchasing online subscriptions to the paper, that so-called “paywall” is coming down.

“Mr. Publisher, tear down this wall,” the late President Ronald Reagan might have once said.

And so we did.

Starting immediately, all online content from our five Acorn publications will be available at no charge to the reader, meaning a paid subscription is no longer required to click and read articles. The weekly Acorn has always been delivered to your driveway at no cost—that more than 40-year tradition will continue—and from now on The Acorn on the internet will be free as well.

Why the change?

The Acorn is your community newspaper, and we want to make sure it stays that way. We believe it’s important that residents feel a connection to the stories we write and also learn about the businesses that advertise in their community. The absence of a paywall is the best way to ensure this free-flow of information remains.

We also invite readers to sign up for the new, easy-to-read Acorn newspaper e-edition delivered weekly to your e-mail. Viewed on mobile, desktop or laptop, the pages are super easy to navigate and, free, just like the print paper.

Local journalism is first gear in the engine that drives America’s free press, and a free press it shall be.

Archives

Firefighter warns about snakes, uncut brush

Acorn Staff Writer

In his report to the Westlake City Council last week, Michael Dyer, acting assistant fire chief, warned local residents about confrontations with snakes and reminded everyone about weed abatement. Dyer said that in springtime and early summer it’s common for snakes to stray away from their dens to seek prey so residents might find them in their backyards or worse. […]

Get ready for a splashdown! LISA ADAMS/The Acorn



Get ready for a splashdown! LISA ADAMS/The Acorn JUMP INTO A POOL FULL OF SUMMER FUN – Calabasas resident Mark Hanson, 14, enjoys a bird’s-eye view from the high dive at Agoura High School’s swimming pool during an open swim. Open swim is one hour long–from 11 a.m. to noon–Monday through Friday. Folks of all ages can enjoy a cool, […]

Committee to review park proposal

Acorn Editor

A group of residents in Westlake Village, feeling pressure from the city, are deciding how they’ll react to a park that’s proposed for their neighborhood. Homeowners from Canyon Oaks in Westlake Village met last week in city hall and formed a committee to officially respond to a park proposal for Lot 79. They fear that if they don’t provide feedback […]

Two local court cases postponed



Two local court cases of interest have been postponed until August. The case of the two Agoura High School males arrested on campus Fri., June 16 and charged with attempted second degree burglary with intent to make an explosive device, has been continued to Fri., Aug. 18, after a court appearance on July 12. The 15-year-old boys were stopped early […]

Slurry seal repairs worry residents

Acorn Staff Writer

Some residents of First Neighborhood in Westlake Village have expressed concern about the condition of streets after new blacktop appeared in their neighborhood. Michael Berry claimed that the asphault was eroding where vehicle tires had dug right through the material. "In the morning, you could see the imprint of tires on the street where the car sunk right into the […]

Sunday concert rehearsals begin



REHEARSING FOR THIS WEEKEND–Trumpet player Jack Sheldon rehearses with the Agoura HIlls – Las Virgenes Community Concert Band, under the direction of conductor Matt McKagan, center, for this Sunday’s 6 p.m. concert in Chumash Park.

LISA ADAMS/The Acorn



UNSAFE OR UNWELCOME? "Go Peds" such as this one and scooters are creating concerns and complaints in local areas, including Agoura Hills where the subject came up at last week’s city council meeting.

Officials express fear for scooter operators

Acorn Staff Writer

As the number of motorized scooters mounts here, many local residents and city officials are afraid for the safety of those who ride them. A concerned Peter Julian addressed the Agoura Hills City Council meeting last week about the issue. He was upset about the ages of the riders and said they weren’t wearing protective helmets. "Children ride these motorized […]

Local school district reorganizes its personnel

Acorn Staff Writer

Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) is reorganizing its administrative staff for the coming year, with most of the new job titles going to current front office veterans. Joe Nardo, the district’s director of pupil services, takes on new responsibilities as director of secondary education. Madge Lamb, director of curriculum and instruction, will be LVUSD’s new director of elementary education. […]

Hilltop mansion gets the axe

Acorn Staff Writer

Despite recommendations by city staff members and even a last-minute withdrawal by the applicant, the Calabasas Planning Commission recently voted down a proposal for a controversial hilltop mansion after lengthy discussion and comments from area residents. It marked the second time that the proposal came before planning commissioners. The home was proposed by Richard and Pamela Aronoff. They wanted to […]