The evolution of the digital era continues at the Fitzhugh.

We are proud to announce the relaunch of our website at www.fitzhugh.ca today, which will serve to expand upon and enhance news coverage in Jasper and the surrounding area.

With a new look, more stories and photos, the new website will cater to the needs of our readers, by allowing visitors and residents alike to read more about the community they love. The new interface and archives will provide more information at your fingertips.

Previously, we were limited to posting a select few stories from the newspaper. Now, much more of the paper can be posted. Those who visit Jasper for a few weeks in the summer will now be able to access more in-depth news about their favourite mountain town year round on the web.

Reporters will be able to update breaking news on the website, allowing better service to the community. Big stories that occur on a Thursday will no longer need to wait until the following week to see the light of day. The technology has existed for some time. Now the Fitzhugh is able to take advantage of it.

We are also adding audio slideshows to the web site, which will make better use of Fitzhugh photography skills. By telling stories through pictures and sound, we hope to create more vivid experiences for the reader.

The website will also allow the reader more chances to voice their opinions. On top of a new poll option, we welcome email feedback about our stories. While the idea of allowing open comments on stories was debated in the newsroom, we feel the editorial page should remain the prime location for healthy community debate. Forums have proven too much to manage for other publications with many more staff members.

This is the third incarnation of the Fitzhugh website since the paper’s launch, and we like to think it’s the best. The enhanced site will expand upon our current print product, and allow the paper to remain competitive in the ever-changing world of online media.

While larger companies will continue to muse about the best model for online content, we will simply strive to offer the best product possible. Since our paper is offered free of charge, we’ll keep our online content that way as well.

The Fitzhugh – nimble in its independence – is also open to suggestions from the public. If there are other features you would like to see on the website, feel free to email me at editor@fitzhugh.ca.

We do want to offer our readers the best product available.