2002-12-05

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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

Interest shown in building new hospital here



By Gregory Koteles Acorn Staff Writer Though far from a done deal, residents of Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes lobbying for a new hospital in the region may have encouraging news. An ad hoc committee formed at the beginning of the year to study the possibility of building a new facility to replace the closed Westlake Hospital has begun preliminary negotiations with […]

Calabasas to sue again over Ahmanson



By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer The city of Calabasas and other litigants went to court yesterday to sue Ventura County after all five county planning commissioners had visited Washington Mutual’s Ahmanson Ranch site with developer representatives and without a public invitation. Shortly after the visit, commissioners approved, 3-2, the environmental impact report on the 3,050-home project. Calabasas Mayor Lesley […]

Three Springs site of home invasion

Acorn Staff Writer

    By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station deputies arrested two armed suspects Tuesday in connection with a home invasion robbery in the posh Three Springs neighborhood of Westlake Village. Deputies yesterday were still searching for a third suspect, a black male believed to be in his 20s. Peace officers said the three men, including Julian […]

Calabasas expands its trolley car service

It costs nothing to catch a ride

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer If you’re tired of traffic or don’t have a vehicle, try the Calabasas trolley that makes more than 10 stops on the current schedule. The Calabasas trolley service recently doubled its route, according to Calabasas assistant transportation planner Tom Gdala. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, the city-operated transportation system serves residents, […]

Community Center receives grant for water awareness



By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer For most Southern California homes, irrigation of lawns is a sponge for water consumption—and higher bills at the end of the month. Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and its partner, Metropolitan Water District, want local residents to know about a few simple ways that they can make their yards and gardens more water efficient—and […]

WISH GRANTED



Local officials present a check for $10,000 to the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center for the installation of new, water-efficient landscaping. From left to right are Glen Peterson of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; state Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills); and Calabasas City Councilman James Bozajian. Please see story at left.

OPUSD superintendent to take another post



By Gregory Koteles Acorn Staff Writer After nearly a decade heading up one of the leading school districts in California, Marilyn Lippiatt will step down in March as superintendent of Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD). "It has been the most wonderful experience," she said of her time as superintendent. "I don’t know that I would change a thing. I […]

Harriett Ramsey will retire



The superintendent of OPUSD isn’t the only long-time administrator leaving the district. Harriett Ramsey, executive assistant to the superintendent since the district’s inception in 1977, will be retiring in December. "It’s just time to go," said the 66-year-old veteran of the OPUSD staff. "She is so wonderful," said superintendent Marilyn Lippiatt. "She is very professional and always knows where everything […]

Angels on display in T.O.



Angels on display in T.O. Gardens of the World is hosting "Angels Around the World," an art exhibit, through Feb. 3 in the Resource Center, 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. The show presents artistic interpretations of angels. More than 40 local artists submitted works for consideration and 20 pieces were selected by a panel of three jurors who also […]

Local couple checks in on charity



By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer Charity starts at home, says Agoura resident Lisa Sonne, founder of the home-based, nonprofit organization called Charity Checks. Three years ago, Lisa and her husband, "Good Morning America" producer Victor Dorff, left New York City and moved to the quiet lifestyle of the rural Santa Monica Mountains. They wanted to pursue a unique business […]