Submitting Items For Publication:

   DEADLINE TO SUBMIT public service announcements: Fridays, 5:00 p.m. Always remember, submitting a news item before deadline ensures ONLY that the item will be CONSIDERED for publication it does NOT guarantee publication. The shorter, and more local, a news item, the better its chances of being published. If you¹re promoting an upcoming event where admission will be charged or items will be sold, you will need to purchase an ad to ensure publication.

   Effective January 1, 2008, we moved our Public Service Announcement deadline to 5 p.m. Fridays. We did so because we wanted to devote more time on Mondays to breaking news, main news, and feature stories. Due to increased volume of email, we simply were becoming flooded with submitted items on Mondays and did not have time to consider, or even look at, all items that were submitted.

   MORE ON PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: In most cases, Public Service Announcements (PSA's) promoting upcoming events are published one-time, free-of-charge, for local churches, civic clubs, and other local NON-PROFIT organizations. To enhance chances of publication, such announcements must be submitted AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the event. The earlier your announcement is submitted, the better its chances of being published in the Courier-Record. Due to the increased volume of requests, there is no ³guarantee² that any submitted Public Service Announcements will be published-particularly those submitted less than two weeks prior to the event. The weekly deadline is Friday, 5:00 p.m. To "guarantee" publication, ask about our PAID Community Calendar, which will make sure your event is listed for just $10 (40 words or less).

   SUBMITTING PHOTOS: The days of scanning prints are behind us. We PREFER emailed photos, but they must be of good quality (sharply-focused and properly-lighted) and preferably 1 to 3 megabytes (MB) in size. Subjects must be up close and not far away. We prefer candid photos of only one person or a few (no more than five individuals). Also, all persons in a photo must be properly identified, with first and last names spelled correctly. Photos of marginal or inferior quality (those that are too dark
or too light, or out-of-focus or too far away) will NOT be published free-of-charge. When emailing us photos, please send only ONE or TWO of your best shots. We shy away from group photos, especially those that are out of focus, improperly lighted, or taken too far away. In most cases, Polaroid photos will be rejected due to poor reproduction quality. The Courier-Record's tough photo criteria is not to be hard on anyone, it is simply to ensure that our loyal readers get to see the best, most compelling photos each week. The Courier-Record over the years has become known for its hard-hitting news photos and candid, captivating photos of children and other area residents enjoying life in this wonderful region.

   SO-CALLED BUSINESS "NEWS: "If your firm wishes to announce a new employee or promotion of an existing employee, the best way to do so is in the form of PAID ADVERTISING. We are NOT in the "Free Publicity" business.

   CHECK PRESENTATIONS: Photos of for-profit businesses or organizations, and/or elected officials or candidates for political office, presenting checks to various organizations will be handled as paid advertising. (If you or your business really want to make a donation SOLELY out of the goodness of your heart and NOT for free publicity, there's really no need to call the newspaper, right?) However, we do proudly publish--free-of-charge when space allows--photos of NON-PROFIT organizations like civic groups making check presentations (example: Rotary Club giving money to the fire department).

   Occasionally, exceptions are made, but they are up the decision of the news staff alone. Exceptions to this policy are POSSIBLE when the dollar value of a donation is exceptional (More than $5,000). Again, the decision is up to the editor.

   DON'T FEEL BAD: EACH WEEK, we receive numerous photos that simply do not meet our standards, or are not what is generally considered news. We like making people happy, and that also includes our loyal readers who expect us to make tough editing decisions each week, so that they can continue to enjoy a quality product.

   REMEMBER: events where admission is charged, or where goods/services/products will be sold/promoted, shall be handled as paid advertising. The Courier-Record each week receives hundreds of phone calls, faxes, emails and visits. If your upcoming event has "gotta be in the paper," contact our advertising department at (434) 292-3019. We accept credit cards over the phone.

   EMAILING US: Whenever you email us ANYTHING, you MUST include your first and last names (no initials unless they are commonly used as a nickname) and ALL daytime contact phone numbers. Yes, that includes your cell phone number, too. We also REQUIRE your complete street address, town, and zip code.

   We won't share your phone number or house street number with anyone.