2015-09-10

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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

The $60-million mountain lion



With the numbers unleashed, we learn that the cost of the new Liberty Canyon wildlife bridge is now pushing $60 million. We knew pet care was high, but this is a figure that boggles the mind. The breakdown goes like this: $19.2 million for capital outlay—including rightof way acquisition for the wildlife corridor location in Liberty Canyon, Agoura Hills— and […]

Photo contest underway

Reader votes will determine the winner

Fall has arrived, school is back and it’s time to judge the winners of the 2015 Take Your Acorn on Vacation Photo Contest. The 10 finalists will be posted Fri., Sept. 11 at www.theacorn­online.com, where you are invited to go and click on your favorite trip pix. The online judging will determine the winners of this year’s contest. The deadline […]

Sheriff’s Blotter



Agoura Hills A burglar stole a $350 necklace, $150 bracelet and $700 ring, and caused $3,000 in damage shattering a glass door at a home on Woodcreek Court Aug. 29. A thief stole a $500 watch from a home on Fairview Place Aug. 12. A burglar stole a $500 drill from a home on Walford Court Aug. 19. A teacher […]

Calabasas creek restoration underway

A new trail is also in the works


Plans to build a trail and restore the natural habitat along a 1.5-mile section of Las Virgenes Creek between Agoura and Lost Hills roads in west Calabasas drew mixed responses from residents who attended a public workshop recently at the Agoura/ Calabasas Community Center. About two-dozen people participated in the discussion. Half were officials representing the city, water district and […]

Candidates debate issues facing LVUSD schools

Tuesday’s forum hosted by Mulwood HOA


Three candidates vying for two open seats on the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, demonstrated their experience and knowledge—and in one case, suspicion—about the issues confronting education during a candidate forum hosted Tuesday night by the Greater Mulwood Homeowners Association of Calabasas. Candidates Mathy Wasserman, Linda Menges and Gary Mittin were introduced by Ed Albrecht, president of […]

Author guilty of ‘sexting’




William Heatley, a Christian author who lives in Oak Park, pleaded guilty Sept. 2 to sexual battery and sending harmful material to a minor. The 57-year-old Heatley had been charged with two counts of committing lewd acts on a 15-year-old girl and one count of luring the teen to a prearranged location for the purpose of sexual contact. The incidents […]

Joyce Margaret Evans

October 9, 1930 - July 9, 2015

Pet of the Week



ATTENTION HOUND—Becky is a female black and tan, German Shephard mix about 8 years old. She is pretty well trained and loves to get and give attention. If you would like to adopt Becky, ask for ID No. A3789149 at the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so check http://animalcare.lacounty.gov before visiting the […]

Old parrot has plenty of sass

Our animal friends


Imagine a 40-year-old person contemplating his or her current life status. Was that wrinkle there yesterday? How about those strands of gray? Didn’t these skinny jeans fit last Christmas, even after all the sprinkle cookies and eggnog? Ah, how nice instead to be a plump, messy, motor-mouthed Amazon parrot embarking on her fourth decade with no such qualms. Orange-eyed Babette […]

New cameras will help firefighters spot hotspots



Firefighters in Oak Park and the North Ranch section of Thousand Oaks will get new thermal-imaging cameras to help them detect hidden hotspots when battling building fires, Ventura County Fire Department officials announced last week. One thermal camera will be purchased for each of two area fire stations, Station 36 on Durley Avenue in Oak Park and Station 37 on […]