2004-01-08

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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

Newcomer to city council appeals plan for hotel in Agoura Hills



By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer New Agoura Hills City Councilman John Edelston has appealed the unanimous decision of the city’s planning commission that would allow construction of a 125-unit Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel on Canwood Street, east of Kanan. The proposed hotel is part of the Oak Creek residential and commercial subdivision and would be built on the eastern […]

Crosswalk named after crossing guard



The late Robert (Bob) Larsen, who for more than a dozen years escorted children safely across the street to Round Meadow Elementary School in Calabasas, was posthumously honored during a recent school assembly. Named "Crossing Guard of the Year" before he passed away earlier in the year, school officials never had a chance to personally honor Larson. To demonstrate their […]

Oncologist to speak on prostate cancer



Charles "Snuffy" Myers, M.D., a leading pioneer oncologist in the field of prostate cancer, will be the special guest speaker from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17 at the Wellness Community’s Prostate Cancer Networking Group, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village. Myers is the former head of the medical division of the National Cancer Institute and former chief of […]

Oak Park fitness camp may feel like boot camp



Oak Park fitness camp may feel like boot camp Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is offering a fitness class "that will appeal to anyone who likes the outdoors while improving their stamina and strength" through a series of exercises. Workouts at the "Boot Camp Fitness Class" will include running/jogging, walking, jump rope, calisthenics, weight training and medicine ball drills. […]

Learn about genetic factors that affect you

Find advantages in starting a
health-related family tree


Find advantages in starting a health-related family tree Communicating with relatives is key to learning about your family’s history and your own future health. That’s because your family history contains information critical to your health, including risks for certain inherited conditions and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. One easy way to document your family history […]

Become a hero: Donate blood this month



As part of National Blood Donor Month, the following blood drives will be conducted by United Blood Services (UBS) in the Thousand Oaks area. For any questions or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call UBS at (800) 715-3699. The American Red Cross recently reported that blood supplies are at critically low levels both in Southern California and nationwide. […]

Protect yourself from high energy costs



Count on it—this winter, energy prices are going up. Last August the U. S. Department of Energy predicted this winter’s natural gas prices will increase more than 13 percent above those from last winter. Pacific Gas & Electric has already announced that natural gas bills for homeowners this September were 38 percent higher than they were one year ago. The […]

Truck crash gridlocks eastbound 101



‘Habitat’ offers orientation



Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will present new volunteer orientations at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month and at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at 167 Lambert St., Oxnard. The next in the series of these orientations will be this Sat., Jan. 10. Needed are individuals to provide skilled and unskilled hands […]

Group seeks people to help abused kids



Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a program of Interface Children Family Services, is looking for a few people (especially men) who want to be "a powerful voice" in the life of an abused or neglected child. CASA will begin a 52-hour training for volunteers on Tues., Feb. 24. Training will be on Tuesday and Thursday nights for five weeks and […]