2022-04-22

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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

Pure GENIUS

In face of drought, water district launches bold plan to turn sewer byproduct into drinking water


Like a rushing river, the slogans for a new facility that turns wastewater into drinking water can flow fast and furious. “As sparkling as your own self.” “Created for you, by you.” “Water you don’t want bottled at the source.” How recycled water—and yes, that means sewer water—can be properly treated and turned into drinking water is currently being shown […]

District turns up heat on water abusers

Allowance for outdoor irrigation reduced, penalties loom


The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District board of directors voted April 4 to reduce the outdoor water budgets for its customers by half in response to the worsening statewide drought and reduced supplies from the north. Customers who are already efficient in their outdoor water use won’t have to cut back as much as those who tend to be wasteful […]

2022-04-22 E-Edition

Man’s long day journey into night takes him to Ukraine and back

Local resident makes whirlwind tour into war zone


Anton Alksnin of Oak Park took a spring trip to Eastern Europe last week, but he didn’t pack just a jacket and change of clothes. Alksnin personally delivered bundles of sophisticated first aid supplies for the civilians and soldiers of Ukraine who have been injured by Russian missiles, collapsing buildings and gunfire. Two weeks prior to his trip, the 53-year-old […]

Rams back in town to begin victory lap



The Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams are preparing to hit the road to share the Vince Lombardi Trophy with fans. Their first stop: Thousand Oaks. The team, which is headquartered in Agoura Hills and practices at Cal Lutheran University in T.O., announced that it will give fans a chance to get up close and personal with the National Football […]

Grossman team wants media banned

Her lawyers fail to discredit police


Attorneys for Rebecca Grossman, the Hidden Hills woman accused of second-degree murder in the September 2020 deaths of brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, are asking a judge to bar media and the public from Grossman’s preliminary hearing set for April 25. Defense counsel filed the motion to close the proceeding in which Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Shellie Samuels […]

Community mourns death of student



A beloved member of the local sports community has died. Sarah Shulze, a 2019 Oak Park High graduate who competed for the Division I women’s cross country and track and field teams at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, died by suicide last week. She was 21. Shulze’s family shared the news with an online post. “We suddenly and tragically […]

New approach to the Old West

EDITORIAL

It is not part of the San Fernando Valley, nor is it in the Conejo Valley. The City of Calabasas straddles 13 square miles of mountain terrain and chaparral woodland that lies between the two broad valleys—and holds a special place in the hearts of residents who see themselves as final caretakers of Los Angeles County rural living. At the […]

Political Cartoon

Don’t let hockey clock run out

Roller hockey in Calabasas is in jeopardy. The City of Calabasas is considering demolition of the roller hockey rink at the Juan Bautista de Anza Park. Players and their children have played here for over 20 years, although with COVID and with manager Ned Collins retiring, the number of games has slowed considerably. Before COVID, 100 players would show up […]