AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — Many readers have already noticed that their local newspapers have launched a new website on Monday, March 20. With regular local stories and breaking news going to the website multiple times a day, TheCounty.ME represents an innovation that transforms the rural newspaper. Rather than a weekly news resource, TheCounty.ME is an online resource for daily local news.
The new website, TheCounty.ME, is open to everyone, but after reading four articles, people will need to sign up for digital access by either creating a new digital subscription, signing up for a print and digital combination subscription, or linking their existing print subscription.
For the past several months, according to NEP General manager Andrew Birden, web developers have been creating the new website that consolidates local stories from the three websites for the Houlton Pioneer Times, The Star-Herald and the Aroostook Republican & News into a single website. TheCounty.ME publishes the local stories that normally appear in the weekly printed newspaper, while also allowing readers the ability to explore county-wide, state and national stories that affect the people of the Crown of Maine.
Digital access comes with all the existing print subscriptions. “Existing print subscribers to our newspapers will just answer a few questions and they will have access to the website at no additional charge,” Birden explained.
“The wait will be worth it. Digital subscriptions are significantly less expensive, but folks who just want to read their newspaper on a weekly basis can continue doing just that,” Birden said.
If anyone has difficulty signing up for a digital subscription, that person can call their local newspaper office for assistance during normal business hours: Houlton Pioneer Times (207) 532-2281, The Star-Herald (207) 768-5431, or Aroostook Republican (207) 496-3251.
For people who want their news through the website, just visit TheCounty.ME to set up a subscription account by clicking on the ‘Sign-In/Subscribe’ link on the black menu bar beneath the logo on the main page. The site will guide the visitor through a two-step process in which people will fill out basic information on a web form and, for new subscribers, provide payment information.
“I’m excited about the new site. It will become a resource for our communities where people from across the world can find out what is happening in Aroostook County,” Birden said.
