POULSBO — Beginning the second week in January, the North Kitsap Herald will become a tabloid weekly newspaper.
The Herald, along with two twice-weekly sister publications in Kitsap County — the Port Orchard Independent and the Bainbridge Island Review — will publish weekly on Fridays.
In addition, Sound also will suspend operations at the company’s Bainbridge Island printing facility. The company will temporarily close the plant at the end of business on Jan. 2, 2009. The closure will affect 44 full- and part-time staff at the press center. The plant has been in operation for more than 20 years.
As a result of the closure of the company’s printing facility on Bainbridge Island, all Sound Newspapers will be printed at the Everett press facility beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2009.
“There’s no question that the economy is taking its toll on every business. Coupled with that, the publishing industry is going through a major transformation, which will lead to a reduction in printed products and an increase in our on-line offerings. Sound Publishing is a strong and viable company and we need to ensure that we take steps to build on that strength,” said Manfred Tempelmayr, president of Sound Publishing. “Our hope is that we will be able to resume operations at Bainbridge when the economy improves. We will be keeping the plant and equipment intact but do not know when we might be able to start up again.”
The Central Kitsap Reporter, Bremerton Patriot and Northwest Navigator will also publish on Fridays. With the new Friday publishing schedules, What’s Up arts and entertainment section published by the Herald, will expand its coverage to 70,000 homes countywide.
“The Herald’s new look and new publication schedule will provide the editorial department a new venue to do more in-depth features on issues confronting the North End,” said Donna Etchey, publisher of the Herald and What’s Up. “And, because the Herald will be delivered on Fridays, we will be able to give our readers information about upcoming weekend events. This bodes well for our advertisers, many of whom are Mom and Pops establishments who rely on the Herald to get their message to the community.”
The switch will also place a heavier emphasis on the Herald’s online presence at www.northkitsapherald.com
