Since taking over The Weston Chronicle, I have received a steady stream of feedback from readers, advertisers and community members. Most of it has been overwhelmingly positive, and all of it has reminded me how much this newspaper means to the people it serves.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by, called, emailed or pulled me aside to share an encouraging word, story idea, correction or suggestion. A community newspaper is strongest when its readers are engaged, and Weston readers are certainly paying attention.
As I continue learning the rhythms of the newspaper, I want to share a few ways you can help us tell your stories and produce the best possible paper each week.
Help us tell your story
The Chronicle depends on readers to help us know what is happening throughout the community. We welcome news tips, event announcements, photographs, milestone celebrations, letters to the editor and ideas for future stories.
Our regular submission deadline is the Friday before publication. If you are submitting information about an event or activity that happened over the weekend, the deadline is noon Monday.
Please send information as early as possible. The more notice we receive, the better chance we have to gather additional information, conduct interviews or arrange photographs.
Include the basics: who, what, when, where, why and how. Names should be spelled correctly, and dates, times, addresses and titles should be confirmed. It is also helpful to include the name, phone number or email address of someone who can answer follow-up questions.
Most importantly, tell us why the information matters. An announcement tells us what happened. Context helps us understand why readers should care.
Please contact the newspaper directly rather than assuming we will see a post on Facebook or another social media platform. We cannot monitor every page, group or comment thread, and social media posts are easy to miss.
Submitting an item does not guarantee publication. Space, timing, newsworthiness and our ability to verify the information all play a role in what appears in each edition. Even so, we want to know what is happening.
Help us produce the best print quality
Whether you are submitting a news photograph or an advertisement, the quality of the original file affects how it appears in print.
Whenever possible, send the original, highest-resolution file as an email attachment. For photographs, a high-resolution JPEG is generally best. For finished advertisements, a print-ready PDF created at the final ad dimensions is preferred.
Avoid screenshots, photographs copied from social media, low-resolution preview images or graphics pasted into Word documents. Social media platforms often compress images, and something that looks sharp on a phone may appear blurry or pixelated on newsprint.
There is usually no need to resize or convert a photograph before sending it. We would rather receive the largest, clearest original and prepare it for print ourselves.
Photograph submissions should include the photographer’s name and a brief caption explaining who is pictured, what is happening, where the photo was taken and when it occurred. Identify people from left to right and double-check the spelling of each name.
Advertisements should include embedded fonts and high-resolution photographs and logos. Color ads should be prepared in CMYK, while black-and-white ads should be prepared in grayscale. Important text, phone numbers and logos should be kept away from the outer edges.
Before designing an advertisement, confirm the correct dimensions with us. If you are unsure whether a file is ready for print, send it early so we can review it and let you know whether adjustments are needed.
Corrections and feedback are welcome
Accuracy matters. If you believe we have published a factual error, please contact us directly and promptly. We will review the information and publish a correction when one is warranted.
There is also a difference between a factual error, a difference of opinion and additional context that may lead to a follow-up story. Respectful disagreement is welcome. Letters to the editor and thoughtful conversations are part of the role a newspaper plays in its community.
We also welcome well-researched guest columns and opinion essays. Strong submissions should make a clear argument, rely on verifiable information and identify the sources supporting factual claims. Writers should also disclose any personal, professional or financial connection to the issue being discussed.
Opinion submissions may be edited for accuracy, clarity, length and style, and submission does not guarantee publication.
We may verify quotations, dates or technical details with sources, but news stories are not generally provided to sources for approval before publication. That independence is an important part of fair and credible reporting.
“Years Ago” will return
Several readers have asked about the absence of the popular “Years Ago” column. I am happy to report that it remains part of our plans for The Chronicle.
The column’s previous writer decided not to continue, and we are grateful for the time and care devoted to the feature over the years. Researching and preparing the column requires access to archives and historical materials, so we needed time to establish a new process.
Through a new partnership with the Weston Historical Museum, “Years Ago” will return in August. The partnership will help ensure the column continues sharing stories, milestones and memorable moments from Weston’s past.
Keep the conversation going
The Chronicle works best when the community stays involved. Keep sending us your stories, photographs, questions, announcements and ideas. Tell us when we get something right, and let us know when something deserves another look.
Submissions, news tips and questions may be emailed to news@thewestonchronicle.com.
Our office is at 605 Short St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The newspaper’s phone number remains 816-640-2251.
We may not be able to print everything, but we want to know what matters to you.
Thank you for reading, contributing and supporting local journalism. I look forward to continuing this conversation and telling Weston’s stories together.
