2009-05-28

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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

Honoring our fallen servicemen



Teacher pink slips rescinded

But 27 others are still being laid off

Twenty teachers in the Las Virgenes Unified School District who received precautionary layoff notices on March 13 because of California’s broken budget will keep their jobs—at least for the time being. Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Dan Stepenosky said the teachers have had their pink slip notices rescinded. “We did not follow through with the layoff procedures,” Stepenosky said, “so they […]

Drawing dad



Sun., June 21 is Father’s Day, and the Acorn is inviting you to take out pen, pencil or crayon and draw a picture of dear old Dad. Using the template in the ad on page 12, draw a picture of what your father looks like and send it to The Acorn, 30423 Canwood St. Ste. 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. […]

Help us help Meals on Wheels



The food delivered daily by Westlake Village-based Meals on Wheel provides nourished bodies and enriched lives, but the volunteer organization needs funding and support to pursue its noble mission. Meals on Wheels, which began 30 years ago, delivers two meals a day to homebound residents in Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park. Food is delivered and friendships are made. […]

Local knowledge on the waves



Deputies swap gifts for guns



Receive help in getting quick restraining order



Residents can receive assistance in obtaining domestic violence restraining orders at the district attorney’s East County office in the Ventura East County Courthouse, Ste. 2880, 2855-F Alamo St., Simi Valley. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Anyone seeking restraining order help should first call the office at (805) 306-7926. The East County office also provides assistance with […]

Agoura bus shelters nixed



Even though plans for seven new bus shelters in Agoura Hills were scaled down in a move to save money, the City Council has decided to nix the shelters altogether and spend funds instead on other local transportation programs. The bus shelters were estimated to cost $450,000, but when council members balked, Westlake contractor L. Newman Design Group went back […]

Reach Out to Agoura Hills



The Agoura Hills City Council generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at city hall. The city’s planning commission meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are telecast on Time Warner Channel 10 and Charter Channel 3 daily until the next scheduled meeting. Meetings can also be […]

Thousands of dollars awarded to help Oak Park’s graduating seniors



Community groups recognized Oak Park High School seniors last week for achievements in academics, athletics, the arts, service and leadership. Scholarships were presented by the National Charity League, a nonprofit organization of mothers and daughters; Westlake Women’s Club; Oak Park Baha’i, and Prudential Realty. The Agoura Youth Basketball Association’s scholarship was awarded in memory of Cody Badalato, an Oak Park […]