Well, it’s been an interesting transition that past six weeks to new ownership. Of course, this is not something I am totally unfamiliar with. As a journalist for many years, I’ve been through my share of mergers and acquisitions.
Change is very common in the newspaper industry. Messenger Publishing Group is the third owner of the Pioneer Review, and I’ve worked for many other publishers throughout the years, including Morris Multi-Media and Freedom Communications.
But to those who are not familiar with changes in the industry, please understand with every change in ownership, there are challenges and technical glitches. Transition in the manner of production from one publisher to the next doesn’t just magically happen overnight, no matter how hard we try not to disrupt what our customers have come to love and expect.
Under Lloyd Green’s management, we took the Pioneer Review from a twice-monthly newsletter to a weekly local adjudicated newspaper of general circulation. That was a huge accomplishment. Under Messenger Publishing Group, who knows what more we can provide our readers, advertisers, and the community in the years to come. Change can be a good thing.
For most, the change from home delivery to all mail has gone smoothly. Most people have received their papers each Friday, which is the new publication date. I believe Colusa area subscribers once got them Saturday. There are also about a half dozen or so who buy gift subscriptions for other people or have mailing addresses that are different from their home delivery address that are having mailing issues. Hopefully, by the first of October, we have ironed out most of the wrinkles that have occurred by the transition.
And I understand the e-edition got COVID last Friday. Thanks for your patience. While we hope that won’t happen again, some things are unavoidable. If you can’t wait, please know that the Pioneer Review is available for only $1 at many locations throughout the county, and it never hurts, if you can spare it, to support your local businesses.
Also, our website is being updated weekly, but the policies and deadlines are still Lloyd’s.
I’m not sure what people can expect when MPG begins tackling the web changes, but for the time being, you may want to avoid using the interactive features, such as submitting obituaries or community events online. It is possible they will fall through the cracks.
I’m still here if you prefer to send submissions directly to me. You can reach me at susan@colusacountynews.com or (530) 458-4141.
Susan Meeker
Colusa County Pioneer
Review