Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New Rates Go Into Effect November

The Nevada County Picayune will make several rate adjustments effective November 1.

Subscription prices locally will go from $12.50 annually to $15. This includes Nevada, Hempstead, Pike, Clark, Ouachita, Columbia and Lafayette counties. Elsewhere in the state (including Bowie County, Texas) the subscription rate will go to $25 annually. Outside of Arkansas the rate will go to $30 annually.

The Picayune will also begin charging for obituaries November 1. This will be a flat charge of $10.

"The Picayune regrets having to adjust its rates upward, but because of increases in postage and newsprint they must be made," John Ragsdale, co-publisher of the newspaper, said.

"Our printing costs go up each time newsprint does," he said. "We tried to hold the line, but now we must increase our rates. Second class postal rates went up again the first of October as did newsprint. We got hit from two directions at the same time, so we must adjust our prices.

"Increases in postal rates for newspapers have been small, but they have been steady," he said. "Newsprint increases are another thing. There have been several newsprint increases the past two years."

The last subscription increase for local subscribers of the Picayune was over 10 years ago. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the current rates must do so immediately.