A number of changes are taking place this week in The New Era and on our website, sweethomenews.com.
The cover price for rack sales copies has increased to $1.
Also, a pay wall is being installed that will limit access to the full extent of the website to subscribers. Access to the website is included for current subscribers to The New Era, who will be able to register for access as part of their subscription.
Those who do not wish to subscribe to the hard-copy paper edition of the newspaper can subscribe to the website for $25 per year or try it out for $5 for a month.
The website will stay “open” to viewers for a trial period so they can see what the new “look” will entail, said Co-Publisher Scott Swanson.
When the paywall is activated, would-be subscribers can create an account and get a password to access the sit by clicking on the “read more” tag on a story, which will bring up an option to fill out a subscription form.
For the near future, the subscription price for the printed newspaper will remain at $32 per year within Linn County and $40 outside the county borders. Postal rates increase as newspapers are sent outside the county, which is why there is a difference.
“The economy has not been kind to newspapers, including our local paper,” Swanson said. “We’ve really avoided raising prices as long as we could, but we also want Sweet Home’s newspaper to stay healthy and, given the increased costs of almost everything we pay for – fuel, printing, paper and other supplies, it’s time to make a change.”
With the installation of the pay wall comes new offerings through the website.
The site has been redesigned and will include occasional video offerings. Whereas posting of content has been delayed until the weekend following publication of the hard-copy newspaper each week, stories will be posted as they are published, generally by Tuesday evening. Also, content such as the public safety log, which has generally not been included on the website, will now be available to paid subscribers.
Breaking news, when it occurs, will be reported as soon as possible on the site and events that occur early in the week, such as City Council meetings, will be reported by the next day, in most cases. The same will be true of playoff sports events and photos.
Also, subscribers who wish to can receive e-mailed alerts of breaking news and other important information, access to downloadable news and sports photos from our galleries and we plan to offer increased video coverage of certain events, particularly sports.
We will also add an on-line pay system that will allow visitors to subscribe to either the website or the newspaper, or both.
“Really, what we are doing here is more than just a newspaper,” Swanson said. “This is intended to be more of a news service, of which the printed newspaper is just a part.
“Our goal continues to be to do our best to provide our readers and local residents with accurate information about what is happening around them. These changes are intended to help us do that in a way that serves our community.”