The recent sale of our parent company has generated numerous inquiries as to our status here at the Valley Record. Though change can be a good thing and there will likely be some changes, we fully expect them to be minimal.

Black Press, the new owners of the Valley Record, have a long history of owning community newspapers. I believe they truly realize the importance of community newspapers and a paper like the Valley Record is what they do best.

I mentioned some changes though, and you are probably curious as to what they might be.

First, we are in the process of working on a major redesign. We plan to launch the new edition with the Jan. 31 publication. We are adding some things that you, as readers, requested. Every week we plan to bring you additional school news and information. We realize you want to know about things that affect you directly. We also plan to add an arts page highlighting fun things to do, as well as a weekend calendar. In addition, a crossword puzzle and the popular Soduko puzzle will be added.

Our sports pages will continue to highlight young athletes from Mount Si High School, the two middle schools and local youth athletic teams.

The new company is also providing resources to help boost circulation. One of our goals is to engage new residents in the community. We need to get new residents involved and part of that process is to inform them of things that could ultimately affect them. We want to be the medium that provides that information on a weekly basis. I still firmly believe that a good local newspaper is essential to a strong sense of community. I also know that how successful we are here at the Valley Record can only be measured by you.

If you know someone who doesn’t subscribe, suggest they give us a call and we can get them started. Our subscription price is still only $18 a year for 52 issues and no other source provides the content we do.

Also, if you are a new resident to Snoqualmie Valley, I send out a challenge: get involved in the community you now call home. Don’t just use our Valley as a place to sleep, get to know your neighbors and get informed.

So as we publish our new edition on Jan. 31, tell me what you think. Please, send me an e-mail at jim.mckiernan@valleyrecord.com or call (425) 888-2311. Also, if you have a story idea or suggestion for content, please let me know.