It is with great excitement that we reflect on 125 years of publishing the Port Orchard Independent. This great community deserves a local newspaper. Each year our staff works hard to give you the best journalism and advertising that is local and relevant to Port Orchard area.

Many people subscribe to the Port Orchard Independent; others receive it free. We appreciate the support we get from our subscribers, and are putting additional emphasis on voluntarily paid subscriptions — that is, asking you to pay for your subscription.

We have every intention of continuing to be the city’s primary source of all-encompassing news with every page devoted just to this area. Your subscription will help us continue to do that. (For those of you that have paid in the past, thank you. Your contribution has not gone unnoticed.)

Your yearly contribution of $25 can be made either by mail using the address below or online through our secure server at portorchardindependent.com/subscribe (we take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and even PayPal) or via phone at 1-888-838-3000. By subscribing you will be given additional advantages such as guaranteed delivery. Should something ever go wrong with your delivery we will take care the issue. If your paper ever shows up as wet, or damage, or if it doesn’t show up at all, we will redeliver it for free. Just call us and we will send a driver out to your address with that edition.

Your local community news has never been more important — whether it’s to bring you news of the upcoming elections, city and school issues, or all of the summer activities and special events that the Port Orchard Independent has to offer. We pride ourselves in bringing you fair, accurate and accessible news in an effort to bind this community together.

In the last 125 years, both the city and the Port Orchard Independent have come a long way.

In addition to our handy, easy-to-read print edition, the Port Orchard Independent is continually looking for ways to connect you news in a timely and convenient way — on PortOrchardIndependent.com, Facebook, Twitter, mobile apps. There is no need to wait for election results, news of traffic snarls, or other breaking news that you need. You can get it online daily or in the print edition on Friday. Our job is to keep you informed when you need it most, in a way that works best for you at that moment.

For the last few years, the Independent has kept you up to date all week long, via Twitter, Facebook, on mobile apps and at PortOrchardIndependent.com.

There is no need to wait for election results, traffic problems or other breaking news that you need. Get it online all week or in the printed edition every Friday. Our job is to keep you informed when you need it most.

We can’t do it alone. Consider paying for a subscription by sending a check, calling in your payment, or paying online.

While you’re doing that, our award-winning staff will be out there covering the city council, school boards, fire district, water district and more — bringing you news that is close to home.

One more request — please support the Independent advertisers. Let them know you appreciate seeing their ads in the Independent. And remember to always shop locally when you can. Keep those dollars local.