2012-10-25

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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

Mountain Patrol assists park visitors




The network of park services in Southern California has a secret weapon for protecting folks visiting any of the parks and trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Mounted Volunteer Patrol (MVP) is a squadron of men and women who ride their horses through the mountain canyons and trails prepared to lend a helping hand to people in a variety […]

Triathlete heads to New Zealand to compete




At 5-foot-2, Stacia Watson, an athlete from Thousand Oaks, is a powerhouse of energy, stamina and strength, both physically and mentally. Watson likes extreme challenges and has competed in Ironman competitions, triathlons, marathons, duathlons and a variety of other races. In November, Watson will head to Auckland, New Zealand, where she will compete in an Olympic distance world championship triathlon. […]

Manna kicks off annual Thanksgiving food drive



Manna will kick off its annual Thanksgiving for All holiday food and fundraising drive on Sat., Oct. 27. This year the Conejo Valley food bank has set a goal of collecting 45,000 pounds of food and $25,000. The Thanksgiving for All drive is one of the largest annual food and fundraising efforts for Manna. In 2011, the drive collected an […]

Enchanting sounds



Popular educator’s sudden death stuns the community




Jim Benton, a beloved teacher, mentor, and coach at Medea Creek Middle School and Oak Park High School, died suddenly while chaperoning an eighth grade school trip. Benton collapsed Mon., Oct. 22, on a bus headed to Williamsburg, VA. He was 33. An autopsy has not confirmed the cause of death. Benton’s wife, Meredith, said the coroner’s only finding was […]

Tony Strickland carries GOP hopes in new 26th District

ELECTION 2012


While going door-to-door in a Thousand Oaks precinct last Saturday morning, congressional candidate Tony Strickland came upon a house displaying yard signs endorsing him and fellow Republicans in the 2012 election. Although the home of Richard Hawley was not on his canvassing list for the day, Strickland decided to knock on the door anyway. “I know they’re voting for me,” […]

Julia Brownley makes final campaign push

ELECTION 2012

Democratic congressional candidate Julia Brownley stepped into the doorway of the Exit Realty offi ce in Thousand Oaks on a recent Saturday morning and was greeted with an explosion of applause. About 60 volunteers had been gathering fliers and going over precinct maps at the makeshift Ventura County Democratic Party office in preparation for the day’s canvassing efforts. When the […]

Sheriff’s Blotter



Agoura Hills A cab driver reported that two individuals refused to pay their $32 fare for a ride between Newbury Park and Agoura Hills on Oct. 14. A vandal caused $ 1,000 in damage to a vehicle parked in front of a home on Waring Place Oct. 13. A burglar stole $1,500 worth of unidentified goods and caused $400 in […]

At the Library



The Calabasas Library will present the following events in November at 200 Civic Center Way. The library will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans’ Day and Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving. For more information, call (818) 225-7616 or visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/library. Thurs., Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room, Stephen Burleigh will give free college admissions advice to […]

On Prop. 37



Opponents to Prop. 37 claim it will result in shakedown lawsuits. Not true. This proposition was written in consultation with grocers, manufacturers, distributors, attorneys, consumer groups and farmers—they all signed off on it. It is specifically designed to be easy to comply with—all that is required is an affidavit from the supplier that a raw or processed food product has […]