News is constantly evolving and so are we here at the Fitzhugh. You may notice a few changes in this week’s edition, as starting today, the paper has undergone several changes. It is our attempt to stay fresh and offer our readers a product that can meet their ever-increasing needs.

Just as our redesigned web site has allowed the Fitzhugh to offer more choice, we hope changes to the paper will do the same.

A tweak as opposed to a full redesign, much of what has made the Fitzhugh successful is still here. The changes are more botox than reconstructive surgery, but we hope to produce a more creative package for the reader, while allowing for greater opportunities to provide top quality journalism to the public. Please feel free to tell us what you think.

So what’s new?

The teaser box at the front of the paper is long gone, which allows for a greater level of design creativity. This will allow for better treatment of front page photos and stories. Stronger section heads have also been added to delineate the sports, arts and editorial sections. This in turn will make things easier for the reader.

Also, the briefs package has moved off of Page 3 permanently, a change we’ve played with for the past few weeks. This has opened up another news hole for feature stories and other items of interest. New headline fonts should be easier to read, and will help stories stand out on the page.

The Fitzhugh will also be adding more voices to the paper, as more columnists and contributors continue to come on board. We’re constantly working to provide the right mix of hard news stories, sports, entertainment and opinion, while best serving the community as a whole. That includes reaching out to the Robson Valley and Hinton. These are areas that deserve excellent coverage, and we believe we’re up to the task, without taking away from our Jasper coverage.

We’re also adding a crossword to the mix. Please let us know if it’s a hit or miss, or if you’d like to see other games added to the Fitzhugh. Feel free to write or email the editor at editor@fitzhugh.ca.

Print journalism is an increasingly difficult and competitive business. The onus is upon the Fitzhugh to respond to the needs of the community and offer a location for news, ideas and debate. A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself, the playwright Arthur Miller once said. We hope to provide the same service on a community level.