In 1965, a startup company calling itself Community Newspapers Inc. was formed, with its first newspaper being the Cherokee Scout. That’s why one of CNI’s later owners refers to the Scout as “the heart of the watermelon.”
For the first time in 60 years, this week the Scout was not owned by CNI. Instead, your local newspaper is part of Paxton Media Group.
Most folks won’t notice many changes, but there are a few obvious ones taking place due to moving to a new printing facility:
- The new press plant uses a smaller page width than our former printer.
- The mailing label on the front page has moved to the upper left corner.
- The newspaper will be delivered to stores and boxes later on Tuesday evenings, though the Scout will still be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service on Wednesdays. The e-edition will be out early Tuesday, free for all subscribers.
What hasn’t changed is the Scout’s commitment to providing our readers and advertisers with a first-class local news product. Our focus remains centered on the people who live in, work in and visit Cherokee County.
While leaving CNI is bittersweet, as the company is run by good people who were good stewards of the Scout’s legacy, joining Paxton puts additional resources at our disposal that comes with joining a new company five times the size of the old one. Our hope is that means even better things for the future as we move into the digital age, while still respecting the power of print.
Who knows? Maybe one day Paxton will look toward the Scout and agree we’re still the heart of the watermelon.