This edition of the North Kitsap Herald marks the last of its kind. On Jan. 9, we’ll follow a newspaper trend that’s becoming widespread by decreasing our publication dates from twice weekly to once weekly and changing formats from broadsheet to tab.

What, exactly, will that mean for our readers?

It means that you’ll read some of our news on the online edition at www.northkitsapherald.com before you see in print on Fridays. That being the case, not all the news will be on the Web site before the print edition is in your box come Friday morning — our bigger feature stories that highlight the issues, personalities and events that make the North End unique will make the print edition worth reading.

As for content, becoming a once-weekly won’t change the way we’re doing things in the newsroom. Our commitment to inform our community will not waver. In fact, in newspeak, because we’ll be producing one print edition weekly, we’ll be able to refocus time previously spent in production mode out in the community. Every minute will be spent talking to new people, learning new things about the community and filtering that information back to you, our readers.

This is an exciting change.

To make the best use of our time and space, our tabloid edition will have regular features you’ve come to love:

In the first few pages, you’ll find those aforementioned news and feature stories that highlight issues, personalities and events;

The opinion page will still be an open community forum where readers are invited to lead discussion on all issues great and small;

The sports section will continue to make reporting on high school and local sports a priority;

Our business section will tout local businesses and offer insight into what’s driving our local economy;

Non-profit organizations are still encouraged to send in events and happenings for inclusion in our calendar, and community groups can announce meeting details in the “On the Agenda” section;

Scene & Heard will keep a pulse on the community’s social activities (send pictures and pertinent details about the photo — names, location and such to editor@northkitsapherald.com);

Engagement announcements, anniversaries, births and obituaries will fill the Kith & Kin pages; and

A new religion page will give local houses of worship a home to tell their stories.

Our new format and publication schedule will take some time to get used to.

As always, comments and suggestions are always welcome.

We’re excited about the challenges that lie on the journey ahead, and we hope you, the reader, will enjoy the ride.