2000-12-07

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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

New Agoura Hills mayor says Kanan interchange help is on the way

Acorn Staff Writer

Although funds will be tight, the long-awaited $20 million overhaul of the Kanan Road freeway interchange in Agoura Hills could begin as soon as 2002, Ed Corridori said during his installment Monday as the city’s new mayor. Agoura Hills’ share of the massive ramp and cloverleaf construction is $10 million, but half that amount is expected to be owed by […]

Spineflower wilts on endangered list at Ahmanson

Acorn Staff Writer

The timetable to declare the San Fernando spineflower as a federally endangered species apparently has run out, leaving one less obstacle in the path of Ahmanson Ranch. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had one year from last December––when the spineflower was discovered––to put the rare plant on its list of endangered species. Officials said limitations on staff and budget […]

Food drive unites Agoura-Las Virgenes

Acorn Editor

A sunny brisk December morning last Saturday greeted hundreds of local residents and civic-minded service groups that gathered at the Do It Center in Agoura Hills to collect, bag and distribute hundreds of bags of groceries and toiletries for the needy. It was a hustle-bustle of organized activity. Forklifts carefully moved about the throng, hauling pallets of food and other […]

Controversial teacher returns to classroom

Acorn Staff Writer

Lee Shagin, a Las Virgenes Unified School District educator whose controversial teaching methods have riled parents and administrators for years, is scheduled to to return to A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas this week following a six-week absence from the classroom. LVUSD ordered Shagin to teach seventh- and eighth-grade social studies after transferring him from Calabasas High School, his teaching […]

Special ed teen strives for normalcy

Acorn Staff Writer

Teachers over the years took Graham Denman’s fidgety and sometimes unruly behavior as a sign that he might be emotionally disturbed, and possibly a bad influence on other students if he continued to stay in public school. A decision last summer to keep the 14-year-old out of class for the first two and one-half months of the 2000 school year […]

Just in time for the holidays



RIBBON CEREMONY––The doors officially open and a ribbon is cut at the new Hallmark Shop in Agoura Hills. It’s adjacent RiteAid in the Ralph’s Shopping Center on Kanan Road at T.O. Boulevard. The owner/operators are Harlan and Linda Munneke. Participating in the ribbon cutting are Agoura-Las Virgenes Chamber of Commerce members left to right: Don Dusablon, Alex Soteras, store owner […]

Agoura Hills City Mall thriving

Acorn Staff Writer

You won’t find fancy waterfalls and bell towers or live rock ’n’ roll bands playing for customers on weekends. This is one shopping center that has survived the old-fashioned way. With pleasant surroundings and a good mix of commercial and retail tenants specializing in one-on-one service, the Agoura Hills City Mall is celebrating its 16th year of doing business in […]

Trains to collect toys for needy kids



Metrolink is bringing its annual Holiday Toy Express train to each of its Metrolink stations to perform a sing-a-long holiday show and collect toys for needy kids. Families are invited to visit their local station and enjoy the 20-minute holiday musical production. Written and directed by a Metrolink staff member, the storyline of this year’s show is that Santa Claus […]

Deputies to crack down on liquor sales to minors



Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, will assist Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) investigators by conducting a series of undercover sting operations during December, January and February. They want merchants to carefully monitor the age of all customers trying to purchase alcoholic beverages. The penalties for selling alcohol to a minor are as follows: First offense: $750-$3,000 Second […]

Eagle cheerleaders are good Samaritans



The Oak Park High School Cheerleaders, who helped the "Santa Comes to Agoura" food drive last Saturday, are a busy bunch of young ladies this time of year. The group, adorned with Santa hats and holiday ribbons in their hair, added color and sunshine to the festivities. According to their advisor, Carolyn Purkey, the girls will visit an orphanage next […]