2020-12-10

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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

Thanks retailers for holiday decor

This is just a note to acknowledge those businesses in Agoura Hills that have taken the time to celebrate this holiday season with decorations and holiday lights. It is especially appreciated this year. I know this has been a difficult time for many of you. A special thanks to: Whizin Market Square and Western Gold Insurance on Agoura Road; the […]

Oil and gas need to wake up

The Dec 3 article by Christina Cox in the Acorn (Ventura Country general plan sparks lawsuits) caught my attention. For the last five years the country has held over 100 meetings and welcomed input from everyone, and now that the plan has been approved the oil and gas producers do what they do best: file lawsuits. The suits argue that […]

Re: Water plant cost overrun

Pure water? Originally, the Las Virgenes Water District planned to invest $95 million in a 13½-year water treatment project for our community to drink our sewage water. It was updated to $120 million, now $160 million. Upon completion, it is reasonable to assume the cost will be even higher. Consider the $16 billion California Water Fix and Eco Restore (Delta […]

Little faith in columnist piece

Here are some corrections to “Roots of Faith” by Sally Carpenter. She states that Jesus “does not pray in Gethsemane for deliverance.” But in Matthew 26:39, 42, Jesus prays for deliverance but acknowledges that it is God’s will that will be done. Also that prayer is in Mark 14:36, 39 and also in Luke 22:41-42. She also states, “He is […]

Pet therapy greatly needed

I was walking my bearded collie, Annie, a few days ago when we saw a boy around 5 years old playing ball on the lawn with, I presume, his caregiver. When he spotted my shaggy Annie, he broke into a huge smile and began running toward us, but then stopped a few feet short and politely asked if he could […]

Talk of strike looms as COVID tests ICU capacity at Los Robles



The union representing nurses at Los Robles Regional Medical Center and several other Southern California hospitals is threatening a strike against parent company HCA Healthcare just as a wave of new patients sick from the coronavirus is pushing the Conejo Valley’s only hospital to capacity. Los Robles is filling up fast as winter flu and respiratory cases, combined with new […]

SHERIFF’S BLOTTER

Agoura Hills Someone broke into a home on Windsong Lane on Nov. 27 and stole a set of keys, worth $20, that unlock buildings at Agoura High School. The victim is a teacher at the school. Nothing else was taken. Between Nov. 26 and 29 a burglar broke into Foy Life on Agoura Road and stole multiple gift cards, cash, […]

Local author aims to revive holiday spirit in book about Santa



Westlake Village resident C.J. Livingstone didn’t set out to be an author. The 42-year-old began his career as a musician, who later became a screenwriter and a consultant for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. But now he’s published three novels. Livingstone’s most recent work, “Santa Inc.,” which he self-published in July, tells the story of an orphan in New York […]

Toys for Tots: Community members can open their hearts and pocketbooks to support toy drive

The Marine Corps’Toys for Tots Campaign is underway. The need for toys is great this year because of the pandemic. Parents are laid off or have contracted COVID-19 and cannot work, and children still need toys. As the Toys for Tots boxes cannot be set up at the usual customer and company sites for employees to donate because many staffers […]

Film shows Iranian life before revolution

1970s Iran emulated the West

Iran’s culture was greatly altered with the revolution in 1978-79, which established an Islamic republic, but before that the country embraced many of the western trends popular at the time. Westlake Village resident Katia Arami is one of several students working on a short film that will portray the country before the revolution through the eyes of two young Iranians […]