Dear Reader,

You may have noticed a few changes in the look and ‘feel’ of the newspaper you are holding, and I certainly hope you like what you see. The redesign of our four Ohio Valley publications, which include the Gallipolis Daily Tribune, the Daily Sentinel, the Point Pleasant Register and the Sunday Times-Sentinel, has been a work in progress for some time, as Heartland Publications team members from newspapers across the U.S. — including ours — collaborated to improve our local newspapers while striving to maintain their hometown quality.

We realize that the road from where we were to where we now are has been bumpy at times, but our employees are committed to the continuous improvement of our publications. It is our hope that the improved appearance of our newspapers is only the beginning. Our local news and sports teams are ambitious. We want to provide greater content. We plan to improve our online presence. We are already branching out into the social media arena. We hope to add new and exciting features. From where I sit, however, I believe that the only way to truly restore and preserve the integrity of our historic community newspapers is with the full participation of the residents of those communities. Our editorial department works dilligently to bring you accurate, timely, local news each day, only with the challenge of a very small staff — just one of many very real challenges facing the newspaper industry as a whole. We welcome and encourage residents and readers to be part of the solution by taking part in the evolution of our ever-changing editions. Email ideas to us. Comment on online stories. Continue to provide valuable feedback. Most of all, though, help us by submitting local, community-based news from the perspective of the resident expert — you. Together, we can breathe new life into our hometown newspapers, making them stronger, more viable and far more informational.

Having grown up in Meigs County on a large-scale vegetable farm, I am no stranger to hard work. I was never afraid to roll up my sleeves and put in the long hours necessary to complete a difficult job. My parents instilled a certain perserverance in me, even when the task at hand sometimes seemed impossible. I must admit that being the editor of three daily newspapers often feels a little like that, but I must also say that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as accomplishing that feat each day, despite the odds. The truth is: these are not just communities — they are my communities. These are my hometown newspapers covering news that affects the daily lives of my own friends and family. I have a vested interest in these publications and their survival. I love these little, Ohio River towns, and I hope to work with you, dear Reader, to find fresh and creative ways to showcase their culture and beauty while continuing to keep you informed of breaking local, statewide, national and world news.

Please join me and my amazingly dedicated staff in making 2012 a notable and newsworthy year.

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Submissions, including photos, may be emailed to the Gallipolis Daily Tribune at: mdtnews@mydailytribune.com or The Daily Sentinel at: mdsnews@mydailysentinel.com. Comments, questions and suggestions may be forwarded to me at: sfilson@heartlandpublications.com.