Newspapers move to square
By: Joe Hadsall, Nixa News-Enterprise 01/14/2004
General Manager of the Enterprise and Headliner Chuck Branch, outside the new office of the newspapers on the square in Ozark. The two newspapers are merging offices, sharing newsroom staff.
Christian County's two largest newspapers will combine their staffs and newsrooms into one this week. The long time sister newspapers-the Christian County Headliner News and the Nixa News-Enterprise-will occupy the same space in a new, downtown Ozark location.
The newspapers move to Ozark's square at a time of major revitalization.
"The air is full of excitement on the square, with revitalization taking place after a long struggle," said Headliner and Enterprise general manager Chuck Branch."Where we are at is a place where people can stop and talk; city and county employees can stop in. It's very gratifying to be here."
Branch knows about what it means to be on the square. His old newspaper-the Ozark Weekly News, before it was purchased by Community Publishers, Inc.-was located on the western side. The new office is on the eastern side, just two doors down from Ozark Bank's headquarters.
The Headliner is presently located only two blocks away from the square on Brick Street.
But, a bigger move comes for the Enterprise, which will move out of Nixa into Ozark. Branch said the reason for pulling the newspaper out of Nixa was for consolidation of news reporters and editors.
"We have five editorial staff publishing two newspapers," Branch said.
"It makes sense to have all of our newsroom employees under one roof. We better serve our readers by having a true newsroom in order to discuss issues, troubleshoot and brainstorm."
Branch said though the staffs are merging, the newspapers are not. He said a satellite location for the Enterprise will soon be established. The satellite location will have a drop-off box, checked daily, where readers can turn in submissions, subscriptions or classified ads.
Downtown Ozark is being revitalized mostly through the Main Street Program. By the end of 2004, street lights and sidewalks will be refurbished and upgraded.
Outgoing director Katherine Dowdy said the newspaper office is a good fit for downtown.
"Newspaper offices are usually found downtown," Dowdy said.
"They belong in the center of the county seat. It's totally appropriate to bring the newspaper back to the heart of the county."
The Headliner/Enterprise offices aren't the only thing bringing new life to the square. Dowdy said at least seven buildings have undergone renovations in the last eight months. Not bad for an area with a high concentration of public buildings, she said.
"Interest has been growing by leaps and bounds," Dowdy said.
"The number of phone calls, the queries of what's going on, the questions about spaces available; they have all been increasing."
The two newspapers will complete their move near the end of this week. An open house, open to all readers in the county, will be held in spring.
The phone number and P.O. Box of the Nixa News-Enterprise will remain the same, as will all e-mail addresses. The fax number will change to (417) 581-3577.
©Ozarks Newsstand 2004
