News Policies:

NEWS or ADVERTISEMENT:
With the exception of editorial page articles and correspondents' columns, all editorial comments should be left out of news stories. Club news items should not include such statements as "minutes were approved," "the treasurer's report was approved," "the meeting was opened with the pledge to the flag," etc. These actions take place at all club meetings and therefore reporting them is not considered news. "Thank you" notes directed at specific businesses or individuals should not be included in news stories. All "thank you" notes are considered advertising. Don't include phone numbers or admission prices in stories about events at which there is an admission fee. This, too, is considered advertising.

TIMELINESS:
The newspaper is published to inform readers today. For that reason we insist that news items be printed immediately after an event. Anything not reported immediately following an event may not be published. We want to be known as a newspaper. We can't afford to damage our reputation for immediacy by printing old items. We will publish a news article no more than two times, once well in advance of an event, and again the week of the event. If a business, organization or individual wants an article published more than twice, they must pay to have the article published as an advertisement.

OBITUARIES:
The wording of all obituaries will be edited to conform to the newspaper's style. We will publish, free of charge, an obituary notice for persons who reside, or have resided, in the local coverage area. Factual information submitted by a funeral home will not be changed without the approval of the funeral home. Family members may submit additional information, but it will be verified with the funeral home before it will be published. Mugshot photographs may be submitted with an obituary for publication on a space available basis. Names of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family friends of the deceased may be included in obituaries. Persons wishing to have a death notice worded a specific way, or to include information not normally included in an obituary, may place a paid advertisement separate from the free obituary notice.

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES:
Basic information concerning anniversaries, reunions, or other celebrations will be printed free of charge. Birthday announcements for individuals 85 years or older will be printed free of charge. Announcements for persons under the age of 85 must be paid advertisements. News articles are not intended to be invitations to attend an event, and as such, should not include statements such as "friends and family are invited to attend." An invitation to attend should be in the form of a paid advertisement. Statements such as "the couple requests no gifts," will not be included in news stories, but may be included in paid advertisements.