Dispatch to kick off weekend edition March 20

Get ready for the Weekend - edition.

The early bird getting the worm this spring will be the Brainerd Dispatch's Weekend edition, which will arrive on area doorsteps by 7 a.m. Saturdays beginning March 20.

The move will allow readers to have Friday night sports and breaking news early Saturday morning.

Publisher Terry McCollough said the move is in keeping with the Dispatch's local news franchise. It puts local news before readers even earlier on the weekend. Previously, newspapers were delivered on Saturdays between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m.

McCollough said the Weekend edition not only puts information in the hands of readers faster, it also gives advertisers the entire weekend to reach consumers with their message.

In addition to getting news and sports earlier, McCollough said the earlier publication of a Weekend edition improves the Dispatch's efficiency and saves money. It's no secret this tough economy has been hard on the newspaper industry. To cope, some papers have dropped a publication day or gone to an online only version.

McCollough said the Weekend edition not only puts information in the hands of readers faster, it also gives advertisers the entire weekend to reach consumers with their message.

The move to a Weekend edition will allow the Dispatch to save a delivery run without shorting the reader, McCollough said.

Dispatch delivery drivers also handle the Lake Country Echo of Pequot Lakes and the Pine River Journal, USA Today, St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune. Saving on a delivery run and thus saving money is a welcome feat in a difficult economy.

Readers who get the Dispatch Sunday edition by mail previously received the news a day later with the Monday postal delivery. With the Weekend edition going to the printing press about midnight Friday, readers will be able to get Saturday mail delivery.

John Gagliano, Dispatch circulation director, said about 400 mail subscribers will now be able to have a Saturday delivery. Gagliano said another benefit to subscribers comes with a change in weekend hours as circulation staff will be available by phone from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday in the event a paper is missed.

McCollough said making the move to a Weekend edition made sense for the Dispatch, keeps with its mission of getting local news out to readers as early as possible and gives advertisers even longer to reach their audience.

McCollough said: "We think there is something there for everyone."

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch. com or 855-5852.