Galva News goes online

Welcome to our new Web site, GalvaNews.com, an internet version of our newspaper.

"Through the years, we've had several inquiries from readers - mostly out of state - asking why we hadn't begun a Web site," Galva News General Manager/Editor Doug Boock said Tuesday.

"The reason was, frankly, the hurdles - such as manpower and the need to remain profitable with the print version of our news - just were too high to clear. But GateHouse Media has now made it a much more viable option."

GateHouse, owners of the Galva News for the past year, strongly believes in using the Internet to distribute news and advertising.

Stories and obituaries will mostly appear in abbreviated versions from the printed version of the newspaper.

"How much content to put on the Web site is an ongoing debate in the newspaper industry," Boock said. "Some people believe that if you put too much content online, it hurts newspaper sales. Finding a balance is difficult."

The site will be updated once or twice a week. News of special interest, such as a house fire or timely city or school news, will be added as soon as possible, though likely in less detail than the printed version of the next issue of the Galva News.

Another feature of the website will be stories and columns written by GateHouse writers across the U.S.

"This won't be a dominant feature of the site, though, because local news is really what we hope to provide our readers, whether printed on paper or online," Boock said.

The site will eventually add other features, such as Yahoo! Hot Jobs - a listing of employment opportunities in the region - and the ability to buy Galva News photos which appear on the site. At some point, readers may be able to submit news items through the site. Classified ads may also be seen there.

For now, though, the site is in its infancy.

"This week will be a 'soft' introduction of the site, with less content than usual," Boock explained. "But hopefully, through time, we'll be able to add content and new features to it.

"I appreciate our readers' patience as we learn to work with this new aspect of our business. We're excited to begin offering it."