The Orléans Star was recently informed that our newspaper will no longer be delivered by Flyer Force.

The Postmedia company, which up until now has delivered our paper with all your flyers, will be ceasing operation across Ontario as of next Monday and across Canada by the end of August. As a result we will be shifting the delivery of the paper to Canada Post, which means that as of June 22, most of readers will be receiving the Orléans Star and the L’Orléanais in their mailbox.

At this time the Orléans Star would like to thank all the hard working people, both young and old, who have been delivering our paper through all kinds of conditions to make sure it arrives at your door every two weeks. But truth be told, Flyer Force did not always have enough carriers to ensure the paper was being delivered to every door. Some streets have not had carriers for months, and in some cases, even years.

Using Canada Post will end that problem. But Canada Post is not cheap. It will more than double our distribution costs, which were already extremely high. That means there will be some areas where Canada Post is not an option.

Residents living in those areas will have a choice of either having their paper delivered to their door for a small fee, or they can pick it up at number of locations in Orléans including both Sobeys stores, the Metro stores in Blackburn Hamlet, Fallingbrook and Convent Glen, the Canadian Tire store on Innes, the Ray Friel, Bob MacQuarrie and François Dupuis recreation centres and the local libraries.

We will also have pick up locations at a number of small businesses in Orléans including Sure Print, Pantry Plus and Computer Rise on St. Joseph Blvd., Michael Willems Photography in Place d’Orléans and the Orléans Brewing Company on Innes Road to name just a few. Oh and our newspaper box across from Mexicali Rosa’s on Centrum Blvd. will also be fully stocked with our paper.

A complete list of locations will be published in the June 25 edition of the Orléans Star. They will also be listed at www.orleansstar.ca and www.orleansonline.ca. Conversely, you can always drop me an email at fsherwin0713@gmail.com and I will let you know the closest location where you can get the paper.

Another way you can support the paper in these challenging economic times is to become a Friend of the Orléans Star. For more information visit www.ko-fi.com/orleansstar. Details of the program, which has been used by other community newspapers in the province with great success, will be outlined in the June 25 paper.

Producing a community newspaper is not easy. The challenges seem almost constant. But as we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, and with your support and continued readership, I am committed to publising the paper for years to come.
Thank you from the bottom of my hear.