There are several changes in the works here at the Tri-County News.

There are several changes in the works here at the Tri-County News. For starters, about 3,000 extra people are receiving this week’s paper – thanks to the many advertisers in the newspaper and in the graduation insert. This week’s issue – the 2003 graduation issue – is being distributed free to everyone in the Kimball school district. As of June 1, 2003, the price of a single copy of the Tri-County News is 75 cents. We are aware that many local people who might otherwise subscribe prefer to receive their paper on Wednesday afternoon rather than in the mail on Thursday. Which leads to our next change: We will provide Wednesday afternoon pick-up of the Tri-County News in our office on Main Street (the old hardware store). We’ll put a sign in the window indicating that the newspapers are in from the press, and are ready to be picked up. Contact us to be added to the “pick-up” list. Subscribing to the Tri-County News can save you between 38 and 60 percent over the price at the newsstand. For your convenience, there’s a subscription form on page nine, and we accept checks, Visa or Mastercard. For the summer, and possibly longer, the Tri-County News is printed on Tuesday afternoons rather than Wednesday mornings. This means that we have to hold firm to our deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday for all photos, stories and ads. The paper will be sent to press via computer rather than printed on paper and delivered to Sauk Centre. (We still need to drive to Sauk Centre, but won’t have to wait hours while the newspaper is prepared and printed.) This means three things: 1) we really do have to hold to our deadlines; 2) the quality of the printing will be much better; and 3) there may be more work required to make all components of the paper “digital”. We’ll have to print the mailing labels a whole week ahead of time. Please renew your subscription promptly so you don’t miss an issue. Also, don’t forget to let us know ahead of time if you change your address. Our Web site is now updated regularly. It’s not an exact copy of what’s in the newspaper; the most important stories are there, along with photos. We’re also adding items that don’t fit in the paper, both stories and extra photos. You can sign up for e-mail updates of breaking news or an electronic newsletter as the Web site is updated. You can also submit calendar items for the paper from our Web site. Check us out at . Last, but certainly not least, there’s a new face in the office. Kristen Kubisiak is working with us this summer. She is a senior at St. Cloud State University, and has been managing editor of their newspaper, The Chronicle. She is bright and talented, and will be a great asset to the Tri-County News and the Kimball community this summer. She is our copy editor, and joins Candi Walz as a writer. She may wear many hats as she learns and works this summer. We’re in for an exciting summer, with a talented staff and new ideas. We invite you to come along as we continue to improve and expand!