Publisher's note

The newspaper industry is hemorrhaging.

Some papers have shut down, some newspaper companies are cutting back staff and size.

The Rocky Mountain News closed in February, 2009. See http://www.rockymountainnews.com/ - I remember reading this paper in the Denver airport while traveling in the 1980s.

The reasons are many and complicated. Some may not even be visible yet.

Here's what looks pretty certain:

• People are getting used to reading news online for free.
• The 24 hour news cycle has shifted to a much smaller time cycle - See http://www.ithinkthisworldisperfect.com/2009/06/fit-to-print.html. 
• The cost of owning and operating a printing press is not needed to publish to a mass audience anymore.

What happens to an area when a newspaper dies? What is lost for ever? What fills the void?

Many areas are struggling with these issues. Many more may before this massive change is over.

Let me be clear - I don't know of any impending local newspaper closings. I hope they thrive.

But I also want to be prepared for other possibilities. So, welcome to www.NorthCentralPA.com, our effort to bring local daily news and weekly original articles online for people who live in this region.

Although we intend to make our best effort with this project, it would be folly to imagine we won't make mistakes. Here's my commitment: We will do our best to provide a valuable web site for this region.

I welcome your thoughts and feedback anytime.

Kathy Kolb, Publisher - www.NorthCentralPA.com
kathy@kolbnetworks.com