The Oklahoma Publisher Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association www.OkPress.com Vol. 83, No. 8 www.Facebook.com/okpress 16 Pages • August 2012 Newspapers use blend of traditional, INSIDE SEMINARS SET: social media to cover raging wildfi res Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma Press Just look at the front page of Commenting on the Gush- Association and Oklahoma any Oklahoma newspaper for er’s coverage, John M. Wylie Newspaper Foundation news of record-breaking heat, II, publisher of the Oologah sponsor six Open Meeting/ drought, burn bans and water Lake Leader, said, “I know Records seminars starting rationing. their resources are limited, but Sept. 27 in Lawton. The dry conditions created you’d never know it from the PAGE 7 the perfect environment for finished product – jam packed wildfires that swept across the with really outstanding pic- state in early August. tures, good writing and tons SHORTCUTS: Ever wish To keep readers informed of the useful information folks you had a cheat sheet for of dangers, many state news- need so badly after a disaster.” InDesign shortcuts? Wilma papers turned to social media It’s a great time to have a Melot has created one in her to get the word out. website and Facebook page, column this month. Barbara Vice, publisher said Wylie. PAGE 11 of the Drumright Gusher in “We were constantly updat- Creek County, kept readers ing both as various warnings SUPERHEROES: Jeff informed about the wildfires were issued, fires broke out Shultz writes about his visits and road closings on the and, most recently, a water to member newspapers in paper’s Facebook page. emergency was declared,” said “Adventures in Newspaper In less than three days after Wylie. Land.” Vice started posting about the Readers used Facebook PAGE 14 wildfires, the Gusher more and the comment section than doubled its 350 “likes” of the website to ask ques- and is still growing. tions, while Lake Leader staff “We have had many com- tracked down the information ments from readers who have and posted it. thanked us profusely for our “The two-way communi- updates, saying they were cation helped us know what unable to get pertinent, local information the community information from any other wasn’t getting but needed, and source,” said Vice. “I was up helped the community know until after 2:00 a.m. respond- what to expect,” Wylie said. ing to readers’ questions – The Lake Leader’s staff also some of them from out of state kept close track of a growing and desperate for information hay issue – burning bales and about loved ones, one from a Fire from the blaze in the Dripping Springs neighborhood northeast thefts of hay bales. young mother with two small of Cushing. “After we started covering children who would not go the thefts aggressively and the Photo by Jim Perry, Cushing Citizen managing editor. Reprinted with permission to sleep for fear the fire was Texas and Southwestern Cat- approaching her home.” tle Association sent its chief Vice kept her community the information with the fire to-school rush during tax-free ranger for the district in, the updated with road closings department and posted it on weekend,” she said. “Try that thefts stopped,” Wylie said. and evacuations as the fire the newspaper’s Facebook in the old days, with the old “And, of course, the print continued to sweep through page. way of doing things.” product wrapped up the story the area. “And I did most of it on Vice followed up the social each week.” When the evacuation order my laptop from our school media coverage with the Aug. Stacey Hamilton, advertis- was lifted, she confirmed uniform store in Tulsa where 9, 2012, issue, which drew Continued on Page 9 I was helping with the back- praise from other publishers. 2 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012

From 1926 to 1935, the year he was tragically killed in a plane crash, his daily newspaper column was published OPA CALENDAR UP, UP AND in a record 500 newspapers. Most notably, his column appeared OF EVENTS in the New York Times, which was the Complete Listing of Events at 23$35(6,'(17·6&2/801AWAY! only newspaper at that time that could www.OkPress.com &HOHEUDWLQJ1HZVSDSHU+HURHV3DVW 3UHVHQW claim to have a national audience. By Jeff Shultz, Garvin County News Star His “Daily Telegrams,” as it was THU., SEPT. 27, LAWTON called, were short columns that includ- OPEN MEETING/OPEN ed his unique brand of humor and other I came home after getting our Aug. The first part of my report on that RECORDS ACTS SEMINAR tidbits from his days on Broadway and 9 issue out, very proud of the work we road trip can be found in this issue of Attorney General Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma in the movies. Press Association and Oklahoma Newspaper did on covering the wildfires in our The Publisher. Next month I’ll have He often wrote about his thoughts Foundation invite you to attend a seminar area. Part 2. designed to deal directly with your questions My headline was “Oklahoma Burn- on a variety of subjects, but most nota- bly his columns tackled prevalent politi- and concerns about Oklahoma’s Open ing” and I thought it was rather origi- If you tried to get in touch with the Meeting and Records Acts. Oklahoma nal, even though the movie “Mississip- cal issues of the day. First Attorney General Rob Hudson and OPA office late last month and got Whether it was prohibition, the New pi Burning” was sort of the inspiration nothing, that’s because their phone Communications Director Diane Clay will Deal or other timely subjects, Will’s col- present the seminar. It’s free and open to the for the headline. service was temporarily out. That is until my wife, Nanette, saw umns were read by millions of readers public. The seminar will be held six times in It seems some city crews cut into who often said his column was the first 2012 across the state. For more information, my headline and said, “Huh. That’s the their phone line while doing some work a press release or a letter from the attorney same headline Dayva used in the Sayre thing they read each day before they near the OPA office. read anything else in the paper. general’s office, visit okpress.com/events- paper.” calendar. Other dates of seminars include: Their phones and fax lines were out Will used his notoriety to shape In fact, she went on to tell me a cou- THU., OCT. 18, Weatherford, OK for about a day or so. They finally came public opinion and influence state and ple of other papers that we get at home THU., OCT. 25, Oklahoma City, OK back on July 25. federal government policies. had the same headline when it came to THU., NOV. 29, McAlester, OK I know I speak for the whole staff at Unlike most columns you see today, covering their area wildfires. THU., DEC. 6, Tulsa, OK the OPA by saying thanks to everyone his “Telegrams” were short and to the For a moment I was a little bothered THU., DEC. 13, Enid, OK who was patient with them during this point, sometimes no longer than a para- by the fact I had used the same head- time. line, but then it hit me. graph or two. For more information on upcoming events, visit the OPA website at www.OkPress.com or “Oh well,” I said to her, “great minds In 1971 Will Rogers was inducted Now, for another Newspaper Hero. into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of contact Member Services Director Lisa Potts at think alike.” Most newspaper columnists begin (405) 499-0026, 1-888-815-2672 Fame. or e-mail [email protected]. small and if they are lucky and if they His columns can be found in PDF Mark Thomas and I traveled on July are a good writer, they might be picked format at the Will Rogers Memorial 19 and 20 to southeast Oklahoma for up nationally as their newspaper audi- Museum’s website, www.willrogers. the first of what I hope will be many Thief making off with ence grows. com. visits to state newspapers. It takes them a while to become a You can download the whole volume coins from Henryetta We visited Atoka, Hugo and Valliant household name as a newspaper colum- of his columns from the website. Just on the first day of the trip. The next day Free-Lance newsracks nist. However, this columnist started as click on “The Writings of Will” link on we paid a visit to two OPA members a household name and went from there. the right-hand sidebar to access the The Henryetta Free-Lance has been in Idabel and spent the afternoon in When Will Rogers began his col- columns. the victim of several newsrack robber- Wilburton. umn in 1922, he was already known for Reading through them, you can ies recently. It’s always inspiring to see other his Broadway and cinema work, thus clearly see many of his columns still On July 14, the Henryetta Police newspaper people and share in the making it much easier for him to be a resonate today. Department responded to a report of a challenges they have. newspaper columnist. vandal breaking into a newspaper rack. The robber cut the lock on the rack and made off with the coin tray. Four days later, the HPD received a Foundations call for ‘teaching hospital’ model for j-schools second report of a rack being broken A group of journalism foundations great potential,” the letter states. journalism education across the coun- into in the same manner and the coin that support colleges and universities Scholars should help student practi- try. tray being stolen. Two weeks later, two authored an open letter to journal- tioners invent viable forms of digital These foundations said they would more racks – one at Family Dollar and ism and communications schools that news that communities need. support efforts by The Accrediting the other at the Henryetta Post Office called for them to model their educa- Signers included representatives Council on Education in Journalism – were broken into and their coin trays tional programs after the medical field. from the McCormick Foundation, and Mass Communications to mod- stolen. Not 30 minutes after that rob- The letter called for new models the Knight Foundation, the Scripps- ernize standards, including integrat- bery another rack was robbed near a that blend practice with scholarship, Howard Foundation, the Brett Family ing technology and innovation in cur- local grocery store. with more professionals in residence Foundation and the Oklahoma City ricula, In this fifth break in, the thief was and a focus on applied research. based Ethics and Excellence in Jour- The foundations would not support caught on video tape and identified. No “In this new digital age, we believe nalism Foundation. institutions unwilling to change. arrests have been made yet. the ‘teaching hospital’ model offers These foundations make grants to The estimated loss in the robberies is $200 in coins, plus the cost of damage to the machines. The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 3

The Elk City Daily News receives a makeover Oklahoma The Elk City Daily News has a new News’ office learning the workflow, Publisher look. staff competencies and community vibe

The 111-year-old publication before ever developing a page, said ISSN 1526-811X launched its new design on July 31. Perkinson. Official Publication of the “The Elk City Daily News will come “He then presented his proposal, Oklahoma Press Association to you Tuesday with all the local cov- page by page as he developed it, and we erage the community has expected made minor tweaks,” she said. PUBLISHER from us since 1901,” Elizabeth Perkin- Jacobson trained the news depart- Mark Thomas son, Daily News publisher, explained to ment on the new style of headlines readers in a column the day before the and body type while graphic designers [email protected] redesign was revealed. at the Daily News received training EDITOR The new look, said Perkinson, is on a modern approach to ad design. Jennifer Gilliland crisp and easy to navigate. Jacobson also trained the advertising “Our objective was to display our department on how to better market [email protected] news coverage and community features themselves to potential advertisers and OPA OFFICERS in the most attractive and user-friendly how to better meet their needs. way to serve our readers,” she said. Asked how readers have reacted Jeff Shultz, President Alan Jacobson with Brass Tack to the redesign, Perkinson responded, The Garvin County News Star Design assisted in designing the new “Phenomenally.” Jeff Mayo, Vice President look. “We’ve literally received several hun- Sequoyah County Times Prior to starting the redesign, Per- dred positive responses and only five kinson and Jacobson discussed priori- negative responses (two don’t like us Gracie Montgomery, Treasurer ties, which included showcasing local running mug shots, two don’t like the The Purcell Register news, making the overall layout more decreased world news coverage and Mark Thomas, organized and consistent, and making one finds the larger font harder to Executive Vice President, the design more modern with white read). space. “I’m exceptionally pleased with the Oklahoma City Jacobson spent 12 hours at the Daily response,” said Perkinson. OPA DIRECTORS Rusty Ferguson, Past President The Cleveland American Meeker News sells to News Leader Company Inc. Jeff Funk, Enid News & Eagle

The Meeker News is under new The Meeker News will also now “For instance, the recent waterline Robby Trammell, The Oklahoman ownership. offer a website, www.themeekernews. break in Meeker, The Meeker News Dayva Spitzer, Sayre Record & Carol Jenkins, who had owned the com, to keep readers better informed website will provide up-to-date informa- Beckham County Democrat weekly newspaper since 2001, sold the of local and state news. tion on the problem and let you know Brian Blansett, Shawnee News-Star publication to the News Leader Com- “The community will now be when it will be resolved as it happens.” pany, Inc., effective July 27, 2012. able to log on and immediately read The new website will also offer Mike Brown, Neighbor News Lynn Thompson was named as pub- about events or news in the area as it online subscriptions for computers and Ted Streuli, The Journal Record lisher and editor of The News. becomes available,” said Thompson. other digital devices. “Carol Jenkins has done an excellent 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. job with this newspaper,” said Thomp- Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 son. “We are going to maintain the (405) 499-0020 newspaper’s involvement within the Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 community.” www.OkPress.com [email protected] The News Leader Company, which www.Facebook.com/OKPress also owns the Okemah News Leader, believes in keeping small town and SUBSCRIBE TO rural Oklahoma newspapers viable, THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER said Thompson. $12 PER YEAR “We believe that the smaller Okla- homa towns and the rural Oklahoma THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406-920) is communities are the life blood of Okla- published monthly for $12 per year by the Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma homa. This being said, it is important City, OK 73105-5499. Periodicals postage paid at for community newspapers to be in Oklahoma City, OK. place to let the citizens know what is POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE happening in their area,” said Thomp- OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., son. Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. 4 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 OPUBCO fi nalizes sale of New staff at member papers CLAREMORE DAILY PROGRESS to own and operate a local business, the Oklahoma City offi ce building The Claremore Daily Progress has a Dairy Mart. new reporter. Smith is a past executive director of The sale of the Oklahoma Publish- the press facility can continue their Mark Friedel, a journalism student the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. ing Company’s property in Oklahoma operation without interruption,” said at Northeastern State University, joined City has been completed. Dave Carpenter, president and chief the staff of the Daily Progress in early ELK CITY DAILY NEWS American Fidelity Corp. purchased operating officer of American Fidelity. July. Brady Russell has joined the Elk the 12-story office building, 129 acres “American Fidelity will have ample Friedel, 25, has lived in Claremore City Daily News team in a newly cre- of undeveloped real estate and the time to plan our relocation to ensure a since 2002. He became involved in ated position as circulation director. 315,000 square-foot production and smooth transition.” journalism while at Claremore High Russell will primarily be working printing facility for $74 million. The building and production facili- School, writing for The Tattler, the within the circulation department to OPUBCO has signed a lease for ties were completed in 1991. school newspaper. promote readership, aid in connecting five floors in the building through The building features a large “I’m very excited for this opportu- non-profits to subscription donors and December 2015 and an indefinite employee cafeteria, an employee gym, nity. I’m looking forward to getting working to get the community excited lease for much of the production area. an auditorium and large employee to know the people of Claremore and about having the local news delivered “The purchase benefits both par- lounge. keeping them informed through my to their doorstep. ties as OPUBCO will stay at the loca- American Fidelity already has a work,” said Friedel. A 30-year radio broadcasting vet- tion for several years, allowing them bank branch located in the building. Friedel will be the youngest staff eran, Russell said, “I’m looking forward time to plan for their next move and member at the paper and hopes to to applying the people and marketing bring a new approach to reporting. skills I’ve learned over my years in “I’ve got a lot of enthusiasm for the on-air radio field to the newspaper what I do, and I just want to help out world, and to get folks – young and old the paper any way I can,” he said. “I’m – involved with their local newspaper. friendly, enjoy getting along with every- “There are some exciting changes one and enjoy being involved in the being made to the Elk City Daily News, community and everything that’s going and I’m fortunate to be a part of letting on. I’m very glad to be here.” the public know about those changes,” Russell said. CHEROKEE MESSENGER & REPUBLICAN EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL Margaret Smith is the new advertis- The Indian Journal in Eufaula and ing director at the Cherokee Messen- the McIntosh County Democrat in Che- ger & Republican. cotah have hired Jerry Fink as the new The Cherokee native with decades editor. of experience in sales and public rela- Fink has more than 35 years of expe- tions replaces Sonya Booher, who held rience in journalism. Most recently, the position for a little more than a year. Fink spent almost 10 years as an enter- “It’s great to have Margaret as part tainment writer at the Las Vegas Sun of the Messenger & Republican fam- and before that 20 years at the Tulsa ily,” said publisher Steve Booher. “Her World, primarily as state reporter cov- knowledge of sales and service from ering news throughout Northeastern her years in the radio business and her Oklahoma. familiarity with local businesses should Fink began his career at the serve her well.” Sequoyah County Times in Sallisaw. Sonya Booher, who retired as Alfalfa Fink was born near Lake Tenkiller County Assessor in 2010 after 22 years in Sequoyah County but grew up in the of service, will continue working at the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended newspaper. Connors State College in Warner for “I talked Sonya into taking over one semester before returning to San advertising sales when Bill Wood Francisco to attend City College and retired after more than 50 years,” said the University of California at Berkeley. her publisher-husband, Steve. “Now, He graduated in 1971 and earned a she will be able to be a part-time master’s degree in journalism in 1973 employee and enjoy some of the ben- from the University of Oklahoma. efits of retirement.” “I feel as if my career has come full Smith worked for a radio and tele- circle,” Fink said. “I am delighted to vision station in Dodge City, Kan., in be back home with seasoned newspa- 1967, until she married Keith Smith per professionals who understand the and the family moved back to Cherokee importance of newspapers to the com- munity.” The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 5 Skiatook Police Department’s DA drops perjury charge records fee exceeds state limit A felony perjury charge against ney David Prater filed a motion to dis- Enid Attorney Eric Edwards was dis- miss the felony perjury charge with A Tulsa World investigation has case shall a search fee be charged when missed on July 16. Judge Van Dyck, who granted the found that the Skiatook Police Depart- the release of records is in the public This case was the subject of a motion. ment has been charging more than interest, including, but not limited to, lawsuit by the Enid News & Eagle Though the felony charge has been state law allows per page for public release to the news media, scholars, over it’s sealing after the initial case dismissed against Edwards, the News records requests. authors and taxpayers seeking to deter- proceedings. & Eagle is still pursuing its motion to The SPD has also levied search mine whether those entrusted with the On May 17, attorney Eric Edwards unseal records of the case. fees that are specifically banned by the affairs of the government are honestly, was charged with felony perjury. With- “The decision to dismiss the charge Oklahoma Open Records Act. faithfully, and competently performing in hours of the charge, all records against Edwards does not address the Skiatook city attorney Joel Barnaby their duties as public servants.” were ordered sealed by District Judge News & Eagle’s concern,” said News has since said the illegal fees will stop. In the first six months of the year, Ray Dean Linder and were removed & Eagle publisher Jeff Funk. The Skiatook Police Department the department brought in $462 from from a state-operated court website. “Our dispute is with how this entire was charging $4 for the first five pages records request fees. Out of the 90 The News & Eagle filed a lawsuit criminal case was made secret. It was of any public record and 25 cents for receipts for records request, 64 were on June 26 to intervene in the case to sealed without advance notice, with- each extra page. for $4, with the majority of receipts have the records unsealed. out proper procedure.” The Open Records Act states that for less than $10. The receipts do not The case was reassigned from The News & Eagle’s motion to copying fees cannot exceed 25 cents specifically name the number of pages Judge Linder to Grady County District unseal the case will be heard on July per page, except in county offices that in each request. The $25 search fee was Judge Richard Van Dyck. 30 Judge Van Dyck in the Grady have higher fees under the law. only charged twice during the first six Oklahoma County District Attor- County Courthouse in Chickasha. The police department also charged months of the year. a search fee, a provision illegal under Barnaby has instructed Police Chief the law in most cases. John Lawrence to follow the Open The SPD charged $25 per hour for Records Act when it comes to fees. Enid News & Eagle using text alerts searches that took longer than 15 min- According to Lawrence, the police utes as well as a $25 deposit. In many department had been using the illegal to inform residents of school news cases, this meant only a trip to the fee schedule for years without any basement. knowledge of its illegality. Enid News & Eagle is embracing and the service is free. Texts will The law states specifically that “In no new technology and a partnership with include news about school closings, local schools to keep residents up to sports, fund-raising activities, school date on school activities and closings. plays and band performances. Enid and Chisholm public schools, Subscribers can also sign up for a Oklahoma gets an “F” when it as well as the Oklahoma Bible Acad- number of other categories such as emy and the Autry Technology Center, local news, breaking news and Amber, will send texts to area residents who Silver and severe weather alerts. comes to public records access sign up on the News & Eagle’s website. “It is our commitment to keep the ‘‘The offering is part of the newspa- Enid area informed,” Hassler said. “But A national investigation by the Cen- tees access to most public records and per’s Text Alert system that includes Text Alerts goes beyond that with cat- ter for Public Integrity, Global Integ- meetings, when agencies wrongfully breaking news, sports information and egories like What’s 2 Do, which pass- rity and Public Radio International deny access, the only way to appeal emergency alerts,” said Violet Has- es along information about ongoing has given Oklahoma a failing grade it is a lawsuit or to persuade a district sler, digital content coordinator for the entertainment opportunities, or Daily when it comes to public access to attorney to file criminal charges. News & Eagle. Weather alerts, which offer a glance at information. Lawsuits can be cost prohibitive “Since we have the system in place, the National Weather Service forecast The failing grade is due to lack and district attorneys are often reti- we believed it would benefit the local before one heads out the door in the of enforcement of the state’s open cent to file charges against their fel- schools as well as our readers.” morning.” records and open meeting laws. low public officials. In some cases, it’s There is no charge to the schools Originally the investigation gave even the police and district attorneys the state a passing grade, 75 out of violating the law. 100, for the rights guaranteed to the The states that scored highest in public in the law, but the lack of any the survey have a system in place for practical enforcement and a cheap people to turn to when there are vio- and quick appeals process dropped lations of open meeting and records LEGAL ADVICE the grade to a 55 out of 100. laws. is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press This ranks Oklahoma as 33rd in Connecticut placed first in the sur- Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing the nation, according to the study. vey with a score of 85. Connecticut professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: Another reason the state was has a freedom of information commis- marked down was a lack of an agency sion that monitors and hears appeals OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S or official entity that monitors com- on open government matters through

pliance with the open meeting and the state’s government accountability LEGAL SERVICES PLAN records laws. Though the law guaran- office. 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 6 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 PLAYER PROFILE

Name: JOYE WRIGHT Editor/Publisher: THE APACHE NEWS FAMILY: Three children – Steven Wright of Syracuse, NY, LTD Ability Analyst for Hartford Insurance Co.; Scott Wright of Apache, Graphics Art Instructor at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Fort Cobb; Jennifer Spunaugle of Fort Cobb, housewife.

NEWSPAPER EXPERIENCE: Owner of The Apache News from March 1964 to present, learned to operate Linotype at Shamrock Texan ‘62-63.

Each month, The Publisher will profile a newspaper executive in this space. Learn more about your peers from all corners of the state. To request the questionnaire for your Player Profile, email [email protected].

Q: What would you describe as the three as they are stationed in Japan where Commerce Town Treasures and Yearly most important responsibilities of your her husband is in the Air Force – and Honors Banquet. job? reading other newspapers. Q: In what ways has your newspaper A: Meeting deadlines, being positive, Does your newspaper have a website? positively impacted the community? publishing newspaper every week. Q: Q: What’s something most people don’t A: No. At our age, it takes most of our time A: Helps keep small town alive. Without know about you? Q: What about newspaper publishing gets publishing a newspaper every week. newspaper, school and banks, small A: I am afraid of heights. you out of bed in the morning? towns could not make it. A: Know I have a deadline to meet. Q: How does your newspaper play an Q: What’s the best part of your job? important part in the community? Q: What challenges are facing your Q: What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve newspaper today and in the future? A: Learning something new every day, We try to carry only positive local overcome in your career? A: meeting people and making friends for happenings and school related news. A: High cost of postage and printing the A: Converting from hot type to computers. life. “A newspaper is a mirror reflecting the newspaper every week. Looks like in a growth and progress of a community,” few years it will be only digital print. Q: What civic activities are you involved in? Q: What are you most proud of? has been our slogan. Q: What are some area attractions in your A: Apache Chamber of Commerce & A: Learning new ways to publish a Q: What type of annual events is your community visitors shouldn’t miss? Agriculture; Apache Fair Board; Apache newspaper because of advanced newspaper involved in? Study Club. technology. A: Apache Historical Museum, Apache A: “Mo” Betta Celebrity Quail Hunt, Apache Centennial Park, Apache Veterans Park, Q: Who’s had the biggest influence on your Q: What are your hobbies? Rattlesnake Festival, Apache Fair, Warrior Playground, Splash Park, Fort career? A: Talking on Skype to my granddaughter Fourth of July Celebration, Holiday Cobb Lake, Wichita Mountain Wildlife A: My family. and great-grandsons nearly every day, Promotion, Apache Chamber of Refuge and Holy City.

NEWSPAPER BROKERS, APPRAISERS, CONSULTANTS Foundation continues to support Serving the Newspaper Industry Since 1966 ONF’s summer internship program The Ethics and Excellence in Jour- with the University of Oklahoma’s When the time comes to explore the THOMAS C. BOLITHO P.O. Box 849, Ada, OK 74821 nalism Foundation announced Aug. Gaylord College of Journalism and sale of your community newspaper, (580) 421-9600 • [email protected] 3 the distribution of $1.84 million in Mass Communications. you can count on us. We offer grants to 23 journalism organizations Grants awarded include $837,500 decades of experience and a record EDWARD M. ANDERSON nationwide. for investigative reporting programs, The Oklahoma Newspaper Foun- $365,000 for professional develop- of success in community newspaper P.O. Box 2001, Branson, MO 65616 (417) 336-3457 • [email protected] dation received $50,000 to fund sum- ment, $250,000 for youth education sales. mer internship programs for college and $290,000 for special opportunities. students at Oklahoma newspapers. Founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord, Community newspapers still have The other local recipient was the the foundation’s mission is to invest in Institute for Justice and Journalism. the future of journalism by building good value. If you’re ready to sell, call EDIA NATIONAL They received $100,000 for a four-day the ethics, skills and opportunities us for a confi dential discussion. ASSOCIATES fellowship program called Immigra- needed to advance principled, probing www.nationalmediasales.com tion in the Heartland in partnership news and information. The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 7 Open meeting and records to be discussed at six seminars offered by Oklahoma’s AG offi ce THANK In an election year, it’s even more offices, city councils, county offices SEPT. 27, IN LAWTON, at the Great important to know Oklahoma’s laws on and school board representatives are Plains Technology Center. record access and open meetings. invited, and school board members OCT. 18, IN WEATHERFORD, at the YOU The Oklahoma Attorney General’s can receive three hours of continuing Stafford Air & Space Museum. to the following individuals and office will offer six Open Meeting and education credit. organizations for their recent OCT. 25, IN OKLAHOMA CITY, at the Open Records Act seminars this fall. Requirements on access to public donations to the Oklahoma Oklahoma Attorney General Scott records and the conduct of public meet- Metro Technology Center auditorium. Newspaper Foundation: Pruitt, the Oklahoma Press Association ings will be explored in depth and your NOV. 29, IN MCALESTER, at the and Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation questions will be welcomed. Kiamichi Technology Center. invite you to attend any of these free No reservations are required for In memory of Omer Gillham: seminars. these seminars, which are free and DEC. 6, IN TULSA, at the Tulsa Tech- ANDY & KAREN RIEGER The 2012 Open Meeting/Open open to the public. nology Center Riverside Campus. Records series is taught by First Assis- Attendees will receive the latest DEC. 13, IN ENID, at the Autry Technol- In memory of Denis Westerman: tant Attorney General Rob Hudson and edition of OPA’s Open Meeting/Open ogy Center. THE COUNTYWIDE & SUN Diane Clay, director of communications Records book, which includes the full For a downloadable flier of dates for the attorney general. text of both acts. and locations, a downloadable letter Anyone who deals directly Each seminar will be held on a from Attorney General Scott Pruitt, In memory of Fred Turner: with open meetings and records Thursday and run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. directions to the seminar locations, JIM & BECKY MAYO will benefit from this discussion. The seminars are set for the follow- diagrams of the venues and more, visit Oklahoma newspapers, staffs of city ing dates: www.okpress.com/seminars.

Kingfi sher Times & Free Press plans digital edition The Kingfisher Times & Free Press The editions will be posted on the tions, they will be notified via email that will be launching a full digital edition website on Monday and Thursday eve- their password is activated. on Sept. 2, 2012, publisher Gary Reid nings. After Sept. 1, the newspaper will recently announced. Subscribers must complete and sub- offer Digital-Only subscriptions, which “Beginning with our Sunday, Sept. mit a form at the newspaper’s website, will provide access to the digital edi- 2, 2012, edition, everyone who has a www.kingfisherpress.net, to access the tion online, but won’t include the print current subscription to our print edi- digital edition. After staff members con- edition. tion will have free access to our digital firm the status of their print subscrip- edition,” he said. A donation to the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation will support its efforts to improve the state’s newspaper industry DEATHS and quality of journalism. ONF’s programs include training LLOYD THOMAS CLAWSON, a former ville High School in 1933 and was called He and his wife later moved to Okla- to military service in March of 1942. homa City where they both worked at and education for professional pressman for a newspaper in Holden- journalists, scholarship and internship He met and married his wife, Sue E. The Daily Oklahoman. ville, died July 24, 2012. He was 97. programs for journalism students, and Clawson was born in Holdenville on Dodson, in 1947. Clawson was preceded in death by Newspaper in Education efforts. June 21, 1915. He graduated Holden- For several years Clawson worked his parents, his younger brother, Mari- for the newspaper in Holdenville in the on E. Clawson, and his wife, Sue. ONF relies on donations and memorial printing operation. contributions to fund these programs. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check to: DEANNA KAY FOSTER, a carrier for contract carrier for the News & Eagle most of all spending time with her fam- the Enid News & Eagle, was killed July since February 2008. She most recently ily, especially her grandchildren. OKLAHOMA 25, 2012, while delivering newspapers. delivered about 300 newspapers early She is survived by her daughter, She was 50. each morning to subscribers in rural Misty Prilliman and husband Darren NEWSPAPER Foster was pronounced dead at the areas north and northeast of Enid. of Enid; her father, Rydal L.C. Prilli- FOUNDATION scene of the 7 a.m. single-vehicle roll- She was born July 14, 1962, in Enid man of Pond Creek; one brother, Rydal over accident. and attended local schools there. She ‘Leroy’ Prilliman of McAlester; and 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. Foster had been an independent enjoyed crocheting and swimming, but three grandchildren. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 8 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 THE OGE PHOTO CONTEST

JUNE 2012 DAILY WINNER: Newkirk’s Jacob Engelking participates in steer wrestling at the Newkirk Range Rider’s Rodeo. ED BLOCHOWIAK Photo by DIXIE COLQUHOUN, The Newkirk Herald Journal, June 28, 2012 The Shawnee News-Star

JUNE 2012 WEEKLY WINNER: DIXIE COLQUHOUN The Newkirk Herald Journal

Enter and Win a $100 Check from OGE Energy Corp.!

1. To be eligible for the contest, photographers must be staff members of an OPA member newspaper and photos must have been published in print. 2. Send your photo in electronic format (TIF or JPG, 200 dpi or higher) to Photos@ OkPress.com. 3. Photographers may enter one photo per month. 4. Include name of photographer, name of newspaper, photo cutline and date photo was published. 5. All entries for the previous month must arrive at the OPA office by the 15th of the month. Winners will receive $100, a Certificate of Achievement and the photo will be published in The Oklahoma Publisher. Sweepstakes winners will receive $250, a plaque and have the photo published in The Publisher. Groups of people, many with American flags, gathered along several Shawnee streets to show support for fallen Shawnee sailor Eric Warren and his family. Warren, 23, a U.S. Navy hospital man, VIEW ALL WINNING PHOTOS AT WWW.OKPRESS.COM/OGE-PHOTO-CONTEST was killed May 26 while serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. Photo by ED BLOCHOWIAK, The Shawnee News-Star, June 5, 2012

It’s time … for OG&E’ss new SmartHours™ Price Plans. 1-877-898-3834 OGE.COM M I D NIG H T N OON M I D NIG H T 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 MONEY-SAVING OFF PEAK PEAK TIME, WATCH YOUR USE PEAK OVER. START SAVING … © 2012 OGE Energy Corp. The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 9 WILDFIRES Continued from Page 1 ing director for the Cushing Citizen, shot photos of the wildfires from the window of a friend’s airplane. “I shared the images through our Facebook page as much as I could,” Hamilton said. Hamilton said the news outlets in her area did a fantastic job of keeping the community updated as to what was going on. “I am proud of our com- munity and its residents for coming together in such a time when people really did need up-to-date news cover- age,” she said. In Garvin County, Jeff Shultz sent out a text blast to his newspaper’s 300 text alert subscribers. The Garvin County News Star’s text blast called for people to donate water and sports drinks to their fire departments. “We also posted it on our website and Facebook page,” said Shultz, News Star publisher. “The response was great.” One little girl in Paoli told her mom to use the money they would have spent on admission to a Moore water park for beverages for the fire depart- ment. “We’re going to have a story and photo of the girl sitting on top of a pallet of water,” Shultz said. The Guthrie News Leader provided immediate updates on its website’s “breaking news” section as well as on the paper’s Facebook page, said News Leader publisher Belinda Ramsey. The Marlow Review posted burn ban announcements from the Stephens County Commission on its Facebook page as well as Gov. Mary Fallin’s state- wide burn ban. The Norman Transcript kept its Photos from member papers, Clockwise from top left: Bristow News, Cushing Citizen (photo by Jim Perry), The Countywide & Sun, readers informed through web post- Guthrie News Leader (photo by reporter Mike Monahan). ings on its home page and headline blasts via Twitter and Facebook, said Debra A. Parker, Transcript editor. Sun’s Facebook page and in a gallery seh used its website and Facebook “That is a first for us,” said Trotter. “On Friday (Aug. 4, 2012), posts on the paper’s website. page to post updates of the Noble/ “We’ll see how that goes.” were going up every few minutes,” With 58,328 acres burned in a Slaughterville fire as it crept closer With more and more newspapers Parker said. 56-mile perimeter in Creek County, the to the paper’s circulation area. Glo- becoming comfortable with social The Transcript also provided a com- Bristow News was giving minute-to- ria Trotter, co-publisher of the weekly media, newspapers are no longer lim- munity bulletin board to allow readers minute updates to its 5,000 Facebook newspaper, said they also used social ited to their print product. to post messages such as “I’m OK” or friends. In addition to lists of shel- media to keep people informed about As shown by the recent wildfires, “Do you know where…”, etc. ters, donation sites and statistical infor- where they could donate water and newspapers provide timely information Peggy Kiefer, a reporter at The mation, the Facebook page included sports drinks to firefighters as well as for communities desperate for local Grove Sun, was able to embed herself updates on fire breakouts and photos fire victims. news – and provide an outlet for com- with a group of firefighters sent to of lost and found animals, said Caro- Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun munities to share their feelings. relieve firefighters in the Mannford lyn Ashford, publisher of the News & marketing director, placed a live chat area. She posted the photos on the Record Citizen. button on the website for visitors to The Countywide & Sun in Tecum- post information about donation sites. 10 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 SPOTTED IN YOUR PRINT PRODUCTS… OPS ADVERTISING INSERTION ACCURACY Oklahoma Press Association recognizes the 158 business member ONE MAN’S TRASH The Clinton Daily News takes an inventive approach to dealing with the newspapers that successfully ran all ads placed by Oklahoma Press Service leftovers of operating a web press – it sells the leftovers. for the second quarter of 2012 (April through June). Looking through their classifieds you’ll see ads for sheets from the press (between $0.25 and $2), old newspa- pers for packing ($0.25 a pound) and Congratulations for a job well done. newsprint endrolls ($0.25 a pound.) “We have sold plates for decades – probably since we went offset in The (Afton) American Coalgate Record-Register Guthrie News Leader McIntosh County Democrat Sand Springs Leader the early 1960s,” said Rod Serfoss, The Altus Times Collinsville News The Haskell News The Meeker News Sapulpa Daily Herald publisher of The Clinton Daily News. Alva Review-Courier The Comanche County The Healdton Herald The Miami News-Record The Sayre Record & Beck- “Some people buy them to use like The Anadarko Daily News Chronicle Heavener Ledger The Mooreland Leader ham County Democrat siding, others do patch work on a roof The Antlers American The Comanche Times The Hennessey Clipper Morris News The Seminole Producer while hobby and craft people buy them The Apache News The Cordell Beacon Henryetta Free-Lance Mountain View News Sequoyah County Times The Countywide & Sun The (Shawnee) County to use on projects.” The Ardmoreite The Hinton Record Mustang News Coweta American Democrat One person even used the plates as Atoka County Times The Hobart Democrat-Chief The Newcastle Pacer Cushing Citizen The (Shidler) Review a backsplash for a sink at his church, The (Barnsdall) Holdenville News The Newkirk Herald Journal Bigheart Times The Davis News Holdenville Tribune The Norman Transcript Skiatook Journal said Serfoss. Bartlesville The Dewey County Record The Hominy News-Progress Northwest Oklahoman & South County Leader “Roll ends are very popular with Examiner-Enterprise Drumright Gusher The Hooker Advance Ellis County News (Tulsa County) arts and craft people, day cares and The (Beaver) The (Eakly) Country The Hughes County Times The Okarche Chieftain Spiro Graphic schools,” said Serfoss. Herald-Democrat Connection News Hugo Daily News The Okeene Record Stilwell Democrat Journal Serfoss tried selling the old wooden The (Bethany) Tribune The Edmond Sun (Idabel) Southeast Times Okemah News Leader Stroud American pallets that would accumulate in the Blackwell Journal-Tribune The Ellis County Capital Inola Independent The (Oklahoma City) Sulphur Times-Democrat press room, but said there was little The Blanchard News El Reno Tribune The Kingfi sher Times Black Chronicle Tahlequah Daily Press interest. Instead, he now waits for them Bristow News Enid News & Eagle & Free Press (Oklahoma City) Capitol Hill Taloga Times-Advocate to accumulate and runs an ad for free & Record-Citizen The Fairfax Chief Kiowa County Democrat Beacon The Thomas Tribune pallets. “They disappear pretty fast,” he Broken Bow News The Fletcher Herald The Konawa The (Oklahoma City) City The Tonkawa News The Canton Times Sentinel said, “and it sure beats us coming up Fort Gibson Times Leader Tulsa Beacon The Chelsea Reporter Oklahoma City Friday with a place to dispose of them.” The Frederick Press-Leader Tulsa County News Cherokee Messenger The (Oklahoma City) While the revenue generated from The Freedom Call Tulsa Daily Commerce & Republican Journal Record & Legal News the sales of these leftovers isn’t any- The Friday Gazette The Cheyenne Star (McLoud) Owasso Reporter Tulsa World thing astronomical, only about a $200 a The (Chickasha) The Gage Record Pauls Valley Democrat Vian Tenkiller News year, every little bit helps. Express-Star Garber-Billings News Latimer Pawhuska Journal-Capital The Vici Vision “Business is all about adding a few Choctaw County Times Garfi eld County County News- The Pawnee Chief Wagoner Tribune hundred dollars here along with lot of Choctaw Times Daily Legal News Tribune The Perkins Journal Waurika News-Democrat 50-cents there,” said Serfoss. “There Claremore Daily Progress The Garvin County The (Laverne) Perry Daily Journal Weatherford Daily News aren’t a lot of big deals out there but Clayton Today News Star Leader Tribune The Piedmont-Surrey The Weleetkan if you add up a lot of little things it can The Cleveland American The Geary Star The Lawton Gazette The Westville Reporter become a big deal.” The Clinton Daily News Constitution The Ponca City News (Westville) Weekly Express The (Lawton) County Times The Prague Times-Herald The Wewoka Times ONLY IN PRINT The Lincoln County News The (Pryor) Paper The Wilson Post-Democrat Readers of The Ardmoreite and the The Logan County Courier The (Pryor) Times Woods County Enterprise Shawnee News-Star might The Lone Grove Ledger The Purcell Register The Wynnewood Gazette have noticed a small icon like The Madill Record The Ringling Eagle The (Yale) Phoenix Marietta Monitor The Rush Springs Gazette this one, which indicates a Yukon Review The Marlow Review The Ryan Leader particular article can be found “only in print.” It’s an initiative started by the papers’ owners, Gatehouse Media, in order to OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION bring some added value to the print 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105 product. There’s also an “Only Online” icon promoting photo galleries, videos (405) 499-0020 • www.OkPress.com and blogs. The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 11 Keyboard shortcuts for new InDesign users – maybe on a jump drive and your hard W key when the black pointer tool is COMMAND/CONTROL OPTION > OR < – Computer Notes drive.) selected and it will go back. Increases or decreases selected text by 2-point default. from the road COMMAND/CONTROL + D – Brings up COMMAND/CONTROL + G – Groups the “Place” dialog box to bring in pic- by Wilma Melot objects selected with the black pointer COMMAND/CONTROL P – Brings up the tures and text from other programs. [email protected] tool. Print dialogue box. Dragging from the desktop does the The most requested item from my same thing. With “Command/Control COMMAND/CONTROL + SHIFT + G – COMMAND/CONTROL F – Brings up the recent Adobe Creative Suite workshop D” you get the option of the “Show Ungroups objects selected with the Find/Change dialogue box. was a set of keyboard shortcuts I devel- Import Options” button. This lets you black pointer tool. oped just for newspapers. Several of control multiple pages in PDFs or crop SHIFT COMMAND/CONTROL F12 – when those attending told me how much they the PDF to the bounding box. It also HOLDING THE SHIFT KEY WHILE DRAW- an ad or photo is selected brings it to appreciated this “cheat sheet.” gives control over text imports with ING A LINE – Keeps the line straight. High Quality Display. To help yourself learn new key- lots of options for marrying styles from If you hold Shift while using the rect- board commands, pay attention to the Word to InDesign. angle or ellipse tool, it keeps a box COMMAND/CONTROL A – Selects all the truly square and a circle a true circle. text in any text block, or with the black keystrokes when you see them in the COMMAND/CONTROL + E – This is the menu. Once you think you have it, Holding shift also lets you select more pointer tool it will select everything on “Export” shortcut. It brings up the than one thing while selecting with the active page. take your cursor off the menu and do dialog box for saving PDFs. Note that the command on the keyboard. After Text tool. you want Adobe PDF (Print) to make a DOCK THE UPPER PALETTES such as doing this a few times, you’ll know the press quality PDF. HOLD DOWN SPACE BAR – This lets the Application bar by pulling them shortcut. the user move around the page in the close to the upper menus, making the “Command” is the Mac key that ESC KEY – Hit the “ESC” key while in a pointer tool or other tools. window below fit to the screen. equals “Control” on a Windows com- text block to get the black pointer tool. Go to Window > Workspace > puter. Double click in the text block to get HOLD DOWN SPACE BAR + OPTION/ALT Advanced area then drag the small- “Option” on the Mac equals “Alt” on back to the text tool or hit the “T” key. – Lets user move around the page in er palettes around by the names and a Windows computer. These are simple global text commands the text tool. collapse them by double clicking the that work in most programs: COMMAND/CONTROL + 0 – Zooms to names. ➪ COMMAND/CONTROL + C is copy from full page view. Double click the gray bar to expand clipboard. all or drag the left side of the docked COMMAND/CONTROL + 1 – Zooms in to palettes to make them smaller. Dock COMMAND/CONTROL + X is cut to the what is selected on the page at 100%. them by dragging the name into one of clipboard. the other palettes. COMMAND/CONTROL + V is paste from COMMAND/CONTROL + 2 – Zooms to Note: Not all of the most useful pal- 200%. ettes you want visible will show when A cool trick is to go to Edit > Key- the clipboard. Advanced workspace is chosen. Search board shortcuts and then choose the These work with the text or pointer COMMAND/CONTROL ‘+’ OR ‘-’ – Zooms for the Align, Text Wrap and Separa- button that says “Show Set.” This tool to move text or an object to the clip- in or out to what is selected on the page tions Preview palettes, then save the makes a text file that you can edit for board and back. Note that the object by 25%. workspace with a new name. shortcuts you use most. It’s a good idea or text must be selected or it will not All Paragraph styles can have their to print it out, especially if you choose COMMAND/CONTROL + SHIFT + DRAG- work – and only one thing at a time own custom keyboard commands; try to alter the default set to something GING OF A HANDLE ON PHOTO – Keeps can be on the clipboard. With CS6, coming up with some of your own. that works better for you. And it shows the photo proportional while resizing it. they introduced the Convener, which I encourage you to add more to this the next person to use that computer allows multiple things be moved on a DOUBLE CLICK BOTTOM MIDDLE TEXT list for your employees and post it by the new set of shortcuts. clipboard at once. FRAME HANDLE – Doing this resizes their desks. These shortcuts might not Let’s look at some of my favorite the text frame to make it tight to the seem important but they save hours of InDesign shortcuts. COMMAND/CONTROL + SHIFT + T – Brings up the tab menu. copy. It works with any handle in newer work. COMMAND/CONTROL + U – Turns versions of InDesign. on and off auto Smart guides (the COMMAND/CONTROL + SHIFT + B OR I With the text selected by the “T” tool. green guides that appear when moving – If the font has bold or italic built into objects). the type face it will turn bold or italic. COMMAND/CONTROL + S – Saves the NEWSPAPER & PUBLICATION BINDING Brings up Before you have your next issue bound, give us a call. We offer exceptional quality, document in its current state. This COMMAND/CONTROL + B – Text Frame Option. This dialog box lets competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. With three generations of experi- command cuts off undo’s and history ence, we have the knowledge and skill to get your job done. Other services you change the text frame to different in Photoshop. include Bible binding and restoration, embossing and much more. column widths. COMMAND/CONTROL + SHIFT + S – Brings up “Save As…” dialog box to let W KEY IN POINTER – This turns the ACE BOOKBINDING CO. you re-name or save in a different place view into preview mode. Many people do this by accident and wonder what 825 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106 on the hard drive. This command cuts (405) 525-8888 or Toll-Free at 1-800-525-8896 off undo’s and history in Photoshop. happened and how to fix it. Just hit the (It’s a good idea to save to two places E-mail: [email protected] • www.AceBookBinding.com 12 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 WEATHER MAKING HEADLINES Clark’s Critique by Terry Clark Journalism Professor, University of Central Oklahoma [email protected]

I was not shocked, but bothered, when I read recently that OU’S Oklahoma Daily was going to sus- pend summer print publication. I did think it was a mistake. Then I was relieved to read the story in last month’s Publisher that the decision was reversed and OU would conduct a yearlong study to “imagine the future of student media on campus.” What was particularly satisfying was that OU, beyond the journalism school and the paper, was concerned enough about the print product’s value and role on campus to invest $4,000 for the study. That’s the right way to handle it. About the same time in July, the Huffington Post carried a story about college newspapers, “College newspapers go digital first, innovate to stay relevant.” Here’s the link: www.huffingtonpost.com/ 2012/07/19/college-newspapers-digital- innovate_n_1687528.html?utm_hp_ref=media As an old print guy, and one who has pinch hit as general manager of the OSU Daily O’Collegian and as advisor for the UCO Vista, I find this disturbing, which is why I applaud the OU decision. The Huffington article reported universities at Oregon and Georgia suspended print editions, and UCLA is studying it. Oregon acted on the basis of a Pew Center student that showed only seven percent of 18-24 year olds read printed papers. At UCO that has The story this summer is the heat and always been a problem for the commuter campus, but newspapers are keeping residents informed of circulation has continued to drop for the print edition. everything from burn bans to water rationing. Innovations in technology for a central newsroom and Featured this month are The Kingfisher Times online news may or may not have a long-term effect. & Free Press, Okemah News Leader, Frederick Huffington’s article notes the dual nature of col- Press-Leader, Elk City Daily News and The lege newspapers – serving their audience and train- Ringling Eagle. ing journalists. We’re making every effort we can to train our students in the multi-media world we live in today, but we all know newspapers provide the muscle for news coverage. The problem now, however, is the same facing the commercial press. What was once a number of twice, or trice-a-week papers, and fewer Grove Sun, Holdenville News, Okemah News Leader, dailies, obviously a result of changing technolo- monopoly for news and advertising on campuses has Alva Review-Courier, Blackwell Journal-Tribune, Bris- vanished. gy, changes in readership and, perhaps, population tow News & Record Citizen; Okmulgee Times; Cushing changes. In many cases it’s a merging of papers, as It is worth noting that the Oregon paper did finish Citizen. with the Frederick Press-Leader, a trend that’s been the year with a budget surplus, but that may not mean Interesting times. I look forward to the results of going on since statehood with population and technol- much on campuses where papers are often subsidized the OU study. by student activity fees. But these papers perhaps face ogy changes. a more intense challenge than the commercial press We’ve had some strong semi-weeklies for some LOOKIN’EM OVER: Oklahoma is burning up, literally El Reno Tribune, Kingfisher Times & Free Press, with an older audience…today’s students all have lap- time – and figuratively. That’ll be the story of the summer Sequoyah County Times, Yukon Review tops or iPads, iPods and cell phones and they rely on . and probably the year in our state. Edmond Sun them for information, instantaneously. But what does Then the went from daily print to daily To quote Steve Booher in the Cherokee Messenger that means for the commercial press’ future readers? print and digital hybrid…updated daily, and printing & Republican: Pauls Valley Democrat, Guthrie News That’s why the OU study should be of particular inter- twice a week. “How dry is it? Leader Pryor Times est to everyone. and , now print three times a week. “So dry the birds are building their nests out of Twice a week papers include the Mustang News, A similar trend in Oklahoma shows the increasing Continued on Page 13 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 13

Clark’s Critique Continued from Page 12 Statement of Ownership due Oct. 1 barbed wire; so dry the Baptists are offices. For the purpose of entering sprinkling and Methodists are spitting; FEATURED FLAGS Postal Notes and depositing Periodicals the USPS so dry the fire hydrants are chasing by Bill Newell will attempt to not alter the hours that the dogs. OPA Postal consultant Periodicals may be deposited but in “It’s not funny; that’s how dry it is.” [email protected] some cases it may be inevitable that You can tell from the headlines the the mail acceptance times will need past few weeks, and the photos – some It’s not too early to start gathering to be adjusted. Publishers may want half page and more, what we’re going information needed to complete your to look at the Exceptional Dispatch through. The Hugo Daily News car- Statement of Ownership. and/or Additional Entry options that ried “HOT!” What I appreciate is how For the first time, paid electronic the USPS has to offer. The Oklahoma they handled state climatologist Gary subscriptions may be included. To District management team will work McManus’ report, by breaking it into claim electronic subscriptions, this to facilitate publishers and Post Offic- short paragraphs from all that gray year you must use the manual form es in transitioning into either of the copy: (PS-3526). Remember that a paid aforementioned options. “I’ll start with the bad news and subscriber, regardless whether it’s Other initiatives taking place are then go on to the really bad news./ hard copy or electronic, can only be the retirement of the Postnet bar- Drought./ With the state continuing to counted once. code on Jan. 28, 2013, and establish- burn, literally and figuratively… .” CHANGES IN DELIVERY ment of the basic Intelligent Mail Now to the heads and the verbs. SERVICE STANDARDS Barcode as the means for mailers to Rachel Ann Seymour’s story in The Big- receive the automation discount. Also Tulsa World’s head over Mike Averill Effective July 1, 2012, service stan- heart Times; “Crisis point,” on Robert in January, new regulations governing reporting summed it up best: “Records dards for USPS market dominant Barron’s story about a lawn watering letter-sized folded self-mailers take fall as temperatures soar.” But the products were changed. ban in the Enid News & Eagle. effect. Changes have been made to World added a little humor with Randy Service standard maps and data Story ideas: Wynnewood Gazette’s the tabbing requirements, paper basis Krehbiel’s story on Sen. Inhofe’s con- files containing originating, destinat- Shannon Kyle wrote of the strain on weight, dimensions and mailpiece tinued denial of global warming. His ing and destination entry data files are the volunteer firefighters, and Cathy weight for these types of mailpieces. lead: “Much of the nation, including his available under modern service stan- Spalding of the Muskogee Phoenix wrote More information for both the IMB home state, may be roasting through a dards on RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps. about the toll on firefighters. transition and Folded Self Mailers can second consecutive summer of record gov/index.cfm?page=modernservice. El Reno Tribune’s Glen Miller wrote be found at www.usps.ribbs.gov. heat, but U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe remains USPS service standards represent cool as a cucumber on climate change.” about the dangers of heat to school ath- letes; Canton Times photographed the the level of service it tries to provide USPS PROCESSING Lawton Constitution put it another to customers and is one of the prima- CHANGES IN OKLAHOMA way on Stephen Robertson’s story: dry Canton “lake front”; Scott May in ry operational goals used to measure Due to consolidation of process- “Another day, another record.” the Weatherford Daily News wrote about service performance success. ing, some of you have noticed 3-digit “Parched,” was Dayva Spitzer’s head the increase in heat related illnesses. containers of your newspapers are in the Sayre Record & Beckham Coun- Several stories covered dangers to ani- FROM THE DESK being sent to Tulsa or Oklahoma City ty Democrat. The Countywide & Sun, mals. OF MARK WAUGH instead of being handled in McAlester on Gloria Trotter’s story, “Don’t Light Mark Waugh, Oklahoma district HEAD’EM UP AWARDS, nothing to do for 745 or Woodward for 738 Zip Code That Fire!” manager for business mail entry, with the weather. areas. If you have experienced delays “114° Really?” in the Bristow News reports that the Oklahoma district First place, Okemah News Leader: as a result of this, contact me. You said it all. continues to follow USPS initiatives Solid Waste Station is can reach me by email at bnewell@ Other verbs – Antlers American, The moving forward with the restructur- Currently a Solid Waste. okpress.com or on my cell phone at Oklahoman, “Wildfires rage”; Logan ing of Post Offices’ retail hours of Here’s publisher Roger L. Thomp- (405) 590-8616. County Courier, “Fires erupt”; Shawnee son’s lead: operations at many of our smaller News-Star, “Wildfires erupt”; Stillwa- “With accusations of taxpayer waste ter NewsPress, “Wildfires flare”; John- tossed between each political party ston County Capital-Democrat, “Fires during this political season, Okfuskee Looking for a Complete scorch.” “Brutal heat” appeared in the County may have a monument to tax- Now you can get Sulphur Times-Democrat and the Guth- payer waste sitting in the Okemah Combination Solution fully-templated, full-color ? print special sections & rie News-Leader. McAlester News-Cap- for Print and Online Special Sections Industrial Park.” companion, ready-to- ital, “Area bakes…”. Cordell Beacon, Second place, Spiro Graphic, on a Jim post online MicroSite “Charred.” Fienup story: sections from Metro Norman Transcript, “Flames ravage,” Blue pill lands Editorial Services! and “Picking up the pieces” on exten- Spiro man in jail sive coverage by Jocelyn Pedersen, Joy (No, it isn’t Viagra, but you gotta View samples and get Hampton and Jessica Bruha; Sapulpa read the story.) + more information from Daily Herald on Angenene Gibbs’ story, Third place, Sequoyah County Times metrocreativeconnection.com, call Metro Client Services “Fires consume county, resources.” on a front page teaser about lake levels at 1-800-223-1600, Metro Creative Graphics, Inc. Other heads: “On shrunken pond,” and stocking trout in the Illinois: or send an e-mail to 1.800.223.1600 [email protected] on a Bill Walter photo in The Hennessey A River Still Runs Through It www.metrocreativeconnection.com Clipper; “Smoke on the horizon,” on 14 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 ADVENTURES IN

… it’s a bird …it’s a plane … it’s OPA President Jeff Shultz visiting superheroes at Oklahoma newspapers.

You learn a lot from just visiting with day, when they bring the paper back other newspaper people. The unique from the press. camaraderie you share with each other “Every Wednesday you can’t get is special. You all face the same chal- in the parking lot for the number of lenges, but they are all different in their people waiting to get a paper,” Linscott own way. said. “And if we’re late, they are mad.” Ron Linscott, general manager and advertising director of the Atoka County Times, On my first road trip as president Louise has a genuine love for the meets with OPA President Jeff Shultz and OPA Executive Vice President Mark Thomas. of the OPA, Executive Vice Presi- newspaper business. dent Mark Thomas and I ventured “I just love everything about it,” she into southeast Oklahoma to visit a few said. “Every day is different. Every day papers. is a challenge.” Our first stop was in Atoka to see Being a newspaper hero is some- publisher Louise Cain and her staff at times a lonely existence, as Louise well the Atoka County Times. knows. The paper was started in 1950 and “It’s hard at times to have friends. has been owned by the Cain family It’s even hard to go to church,” she since 1972 when Foster Cain bought said. the paper. Louise came along in 1976 “Somewhere down the line, you’re when she married Foster. going to touch everybody and their A fifth generation newspaper man, family and you’re going to make them Foster “knew everything,” remembers mad. It’s harder if you live in a small Louise. town, because you know everyone in The Atoka County Times is the only town.” newspaper in Atoka County, which Still, it’s their dedication to inform presents its own unique challenges. the public that drives their efforts. “We have to be sharp and give the The same can be said in Hugo, people what they want each week or which was our second stop on our little it will just open the door for someone tour. to come in and try to start another The Hugo Daily News and the weekly newspaper,” said Ronald Linscott, the paper, the Choctaw County Times, are Times’ general manager and advertis- owned and published by Stan Stamper ing director. and his wife, Judy. Their dedication to their community Unfortunately, Stan was gone dur- Mark Thomas talks to Atoka County Times owner and publisher Louise Cain, OPA and the county shows every Wednes- Continued on Page 15 President Jeff Shultz and Ron Linscott, general manager of the Times. Reporters need to recognize implications of false light

vacy torts is false light, which autho- However, a recent Tennessee case litigation and its attendant costs con- Legal Notes rizes a litigant to recover damages for highlights the problem with this tort. tinues. by Michael Minnis hurt feelings allegedly caused by publi- In this case, a public official plaintiff Even though no Oklahoma reported OPA Attorney cations that may be entirely true. (a judge) sued for libel and false light. case has yet to adopt a similar bifurca- Recognizing this problem and its The appellate court affirmed a grant of tion of the libel and false light claims, possible conflict with the First Amend- summary judgment on the libel case, reporters would be prudent to recog- Since the advent of the four judi- ment, several states have found that but reversed a judgment on the false nize the possible implications that one cially-recognized privacy torts (False false light is redundant with the law of light claim. might draw from the truthful facts that Light, Disclosure of Private Facts, libel and overruled prior cases recog- The refusal to affirm summary judg- they report. Intrusion on Seclusion and Appropria- nizing the false light tort. ment for the false light claim was based This is particularly true of placement tion), First Amendment advocates have In Oklahoma, the false light tort on the appellate court’s determination of photos with reference to what is pub- been troubled because these torts pun- has been mainly used as a means for a that a reasonable reader could infer lished next to the photo. ish truthful publications. plaintiff to avoid the one-year statute of something from the true facts, which The most problematical of these pri- limitations for libel. inference might be false. Thus, the The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012 15

als that if the water is already running I encountered three shining examples NEXT MONTH: Learn about the heroes ADVENTURES down to them, let’s sell them some of such heroism in our newspaper we visited on day two of our trip. Continued from page 14 of it and use that money to repair our industry. streets and make other much needed ing our visit but we were able to talk to improvements. Krystle Taylor, the editor for the Hugo Taking an unpopular stance some- Daily News. times is what newspaper heroes do. Krystle came to the Hugo Daily News Sometimes it takes heroic efforts to four years ago. She was a medical stu- just publish a weekly paper. dent in college prior to moving to Hugo, Pete and Noemi Wilson have owned but when she married her husband, and operated the Valliant Leader for who was from Hugo, they decided to around 37 years. make a life in his hometown. Like all other publishers, they are Krystle enjoys the reporting part of committed to their tiny community. her job. “It’s a partnership between you and “It really got me out of my shell,” she the community,” said Pete. said. “I enjoy meeting the people and Just like most publishers, Pete and telling their wonderful stories.” Noemi have seen their share of late For Krystle, the only newspaper nights – especially when they are try- heroes she has are the people she ing to learn new software. works with. “Just when we were getting out at a “I don’t know too many people in the decent time on Tuesday nights, along newspaper business, just those I work comes InDesign and now we’re back with. They are all so dedicated to their with the late nights again,” Pete said job and the community,” she said. jokingly, noting he had just made the Shultz’ Adventures in Newspaper Land included a stop at the Valliant Leader to meet She is especially impressed by her move to InDesign after years of work- Pete and Noemi Wilson, owners and publishers of the weekly newspaper. publisher, Stan Stamper. ing with Pagemaker. “I’m not saying that because he’s my Pete also runs a job printing shop boss. He’s really amazing,” she added. at the Valliant Leader. He says the job “Stan bought the paper when he was printing keeps him busy when he’s not 24. I’m 29 right now and I just can’t working on the paper and is a good fathom someone that age doing that,” source of additional revenue. she said. But what makes Pete and Noemi so Stamper is also an avid pilot. In unique is that Pete suffers from Hemo- fact, the Hugo airport is named “The philia and is disabled as a result of it. Stan Stamper International Airport” in He doesn’t let his disability get in the honor of his contributions to aviation in way of serving his community. Each the Hugo area. week he publishes an eight-page paper. As most newspaper people know, “Sometimes a 12-page paper if the sometimes you have to tackle hard sub- ads are good,” he says. jects if you feel it is in the best interest Heroes often must give up any kind of your community. of social life they have; take unpopular Stan has done that. stands for what is right; and overcome Known as a “sell the water” editor, their own physical handicaps in order Stan has taken a strong stance for sell- to do the right thing. ing water to Texas, which is an unpopu- It takes a heroic effort to be a news- lar stance to take. paper hero and on our first day of visits OPA President Jeff Shultz meets with Krystle Taylor, editor of the Hugo Daily News. However, Stan notes in his editori- OPA STAFF DIRECTORY ADMINISTRATION MEMBER ADVERTISING CREATIVE COMPUTER OPEN OPEN (CONT’D) MARK THOMAS SERVICES CINDY SHEA SERVICES ADVICE (DIGITAL CLIPPING) BRENDA SUMMITT Executive Vice President LISA POTTS Media Manager JENNIFER GILLILAND WILMA MELOT KEITH BURGIN Digital Clipping Dept. [email protected] Member Services [email protected] Creative Services Director Computer Consultant OPEN Manager [email protected] (405) 499-0033 Director (405) 499-0023 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (405) 499-0030 ROBERT WALLAR [email protected] LANDON COBB (405) 499-0028 (405) 499-0031 (405) 499-0024 NELSON SOLOMON (405) 499-0026 Account Executive Accounting Manager MORGAN BROWNE POSTAL KYLE GRANT Digital Clipping Dept. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ELI NICHOLS Creative Assistant Digital Clipping Dept. (405) 499-0027 (405) 499-0022 ADVICE (405) 499-0045 Member Services [email protected] [email protected] BILL NEWELL SCOTT WILKERSON Coordinator COURTNI SPOON (405) 499-0029 (405) 499-0032 Postal Consultant Front Office/Building Mgr. [email protected] Advertising Assistant & [email protected] [email protected] (405) 499-0040 OCAN/2X2 Contact GENERAL INQUIRIES (405) 499-0020 (405) 499-0020 [email protected] (405) 499-0020 • Fax: (405) 499-0048 (405) 499-0035 Toll-free in OK: 1-888-815-2672 16 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2012

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JUNE 2012 CONTEST WINNERS

Column: Editorial: ANDY RIEGER JEFF MULLIN The Norman Transcript Enid News & Eagle

JUNE 2012 COLUMN WINNER ANDY RIEGER, THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT Newspapers still matter; ask folks in Joplin Just hours after an EF-5 tornado killed 161 people and homes. In the days after the storm, they couldn’t print tried to rip heart out of Joplin, Mo., local newspaper staff enough copies to satisfy the community’s hunger for the members started showing up to work. Some had lost facts. The newspaper’s website drew millions of page views. Enter and Win a relatives to the massive storm. Others lost homes and “So much misinformation was out there after the storm, it vehicles. Some had only the clothes and shoes they were was our job to sort through all this crap,” Woods said. wearing at 5:41 p.m. May 22, 2011. Reporters and photojournalists faced many barriers $100 Check from “This was a time when newspapers had to rise to the in covering the story. Areas were closed off to vehicles. occasion,” Joplin Globe editor Carol Stark told Oklahoma Work boots and dry socks were a sought-after commodity ONG! newspaper men and women Friday morning. “No amount to help in the search for storm victims. Some advertisers’ 1. Each month, send a tear sheet or of disaster preparedness. No little handy-dandy book. businesses were gone. photocopy of your best column and/ Nothing prepares you for this.” Death notices and obituaries came in waves, emotionally or editorial to ONG Contest, c/o OPA, The next day’s paper, chronicling the storm’s path and draining the staffs. Businesses that were temporarily closed 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, the lives lost and changed forever, was but an hour late down received free advertising space when they reopened. OK 73105-5499. off the press. The newspaper’s website and social media Help came from the newspaper’s parent company, portals had already been busy reporting on the storm and former employees and fellow journalists. The paper’s 2. Include the author’s name, name of efforts to restore public safety long before the presses owners arrived with cash and clothes. Donated Zebra cakes publication, date of publication and started. and bottled water kept them going when the adrenaline category entered (column or editorial). “This was going to be the story you know you never faded to exhaustion. 3. Only ONE editorial and/or ONE want to have to write, but you know it’s the story of your “Those things are awful, but they are addictive,” Stark column per writer per month will be lifetime,” Stark said. said of the little pastries that became the newsroom symbol accepted. The newspaper itself, a sister paper to The Transcript, of the storm. wasn’t hit. A newsroom employee was counted among the Their readers also appreciated some levity as they 4. All entries for the previous month must dead. Thirty-three staff members lost homes and vehicles. rebuilt the city. A story about the contents of an adult toy be at the OPA office by the 15th of the Many staff members found safety in the Globe’s offices. store found scattered on a woman’s lawn in a neighboring current month. “One hundred and sixty-one people died that day. town gave the community a reason to finally smile. 5. Winning entries will be reproduced Sometimes we wonder why it wasn’t thousands, since it A year later, the story continues. An anniversary edition, on the OPA website at www.OkPress. hit a residential area,” Stark said. Blocks were leveled and memorial magazine and coffee table book are reminders com. homes were scraped off their foundations. of the destruction and the path to rebuilding. In all of the “Even folks who grew up in the community who were chaos, the newspaper’s staff and owners learned they still Entries must have been previously lifelong residents were lost because there were no street matter. published. Contest open to signs,” the Globe’s online editor David Woods told the “You learn that shoe leather journalism is still very all OPA member newspapers. press gathering. much alive,” Stark said. “The story for newspapers is He said the newspaper served a vital function for the our community still thinks we can save the world. The Although Oklahoma Natural Gas Company community. Government officials weren’t releasing the community still relies on you for information.” selects representative contest winners’ work names of dead and injured, so the newspaper started for use in this monthly ad, the views expressed its own list and verified names with families and funeral in winning columns and editorials are those of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the Company’s opinions. Thank you for continued support of “Share The Warmth” Read the Winning Columns and Editorials on the OPA website: www.OkPress.com (Under Contests)