Times Herald Record has new sections, new look

The Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., the flagship publication of Ottaway Newspapers Inc., has introduced new sections, new organization and a new look, all providing a more local focus and an expanded community news report.

The new look, which made its debut Tuesday morning, is the first in a two-step makeover. The second will come Jan. 1, 2008, when the 16-inch tabloid changes to the industry standard 14 inches. Public reaction to the changes this week was enthusiastic with several callers and e-mailers giving thanks for the better organization and extra news including an expanded, daily community section for the paper's four zones.

In a letter to readers the Sunday before the debut, Publisher Joe Vanderhoof and Editor Derek Osenenko explained that the effort was designed to make it "much easier for readers to find the local news they care about and read about issues and people affecting our entire region". They also said that the THR will be "aggressively updating our Web site, www.recordonline.com, with breaking news throughout the day and night."

A major component of the change is an expanded business section including a new Money & Careers page with locally written columns, a business calendar, items about people on the move, and news and photos about new businesses. The Web site, recordonline.com/business, has been bolstered with new content including breaking business news, expanded market tools and an interactive map of new businesses.

Media Contact:

Sean Polay

Product Manager, Distributed Media

sean.polay@dowjones.com

774.313.6093