AUGUSTA, Ga.— The Augusta Chronicle will begin publishing a free community newspaper in North Augusta. North Augusta Today, a weekly publication specializing in local news and citizen journalism, will launch Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007.

The announcement was made today by Don Bailey, president of The Augusta Chronicle and publisher of North Augusta Today.

"North Augusta Today aims to provide lots of 'small-town' news with a heavy emphasis on the people who live and do business in North Augusta," Bailey said. Weekly coverage will also include school news, recreational sports scores and stories, updates on civic clubs and business news.

Will Morris, president of Morris Publishing Group, the parent company of The Augusta Chronicle, said, "North Augusta is a fast-growing and vibrant part of the CSRA, and we are thrilled to be launching a new publication for this community."

A first-class online companion to the printed product will be available at NorthAugustaToday.com. In addition to mirroring the weekly printed publication, the Web site will post breaking news between publications to keep North Augusta readers informed as important events unfold.

North Augustans will be invited to submit stories for publication each week in North Augusta Today. And NorthAugustaToday.com, with virtually unlimited space, will host a plethora of additional reader-contributed stories, blogs and photos every day.

"We want the people who live in North Augusta to really feel like this is their newspaper," Bailey said. "Because they are participating in publishing the news, ultimately, it will be. It truly is today's newspaper for North Augusta."

North Augusta Today will also include traditional retail and classified advertising. It will be delivered to 15,000 homes in North Augusta and portions of Beech Island and Clearwater and will be available in about a dozen racks throughout the community.

The Chronicle also announced the selection of Donnie Fetter as editor and lead reporter of North Augusta Today. Fetter has more than a decade of experience in journalism and publishing, including three years at The Augusta Chronicle as education reporter.

"Fetter understands the importance of local news to a community, knowledge he gained from years of reporting the local news in Columbia County for our twice weekly publication, The Columbia County-News Times," said Bailey.

In addition to North Augusta Today, The Augusta Chronicle publishes eight award-winning non-daily community newspapers: The News-Times, The (Barnwell, S.C.) People Sentinel, The (Edgefield, S.C.) Citizen News, The Hampton County (S.C.) Guardian, the Jasper County (S.C.) Sun, The Sylvania (Ga.) Telephone, The McDuffie Mirror and The (Louisville, Ga.) News and Farmer and Wadley Herald/The Jefferson Reporter.

CONTACT:
Denise Parrish
706-823-3443
denise.parrish@augustachronicle.com