Welcome to a new version of an old friend. In 1887, this newspaper began a storied tradition of reporting on the events of a city many thought would become among the most influential in this state.

Over the years, the tone and impact of The Demopolis Times has changed. The focus of this newspaper &045;&045; and this community &045;&045; has caused an evolution in the needs and wants of a magnificent city resting on the bluffs of the Tombigbee River.

Thirty years ago, that focus changed with the Tenn-Tom Waterway and the potential it brought to Demopolis. Around the same time, small groups of West Alabama and Black Belt leaders shifted their focus to U.S. Highway 80. They realized expanding that thoroughfare would create new opportunities for new businesses.

In the past decade, the mission of Demopolis and its newspaper has traveled along U.S. 80 and its potential. And in the course of those travels, leaders have targeted a new approach to a reachable goal.

Geographically, Demopolis sits in a unique position. Surrounding this city are sister cities with the same aspirations. Those cities &045;&045; Livingston, Eutaw, Greensboro, Marion and Uniontown &045;&045; believe progress lurks somewhere just an arm’s grasp away.

Over the past decade, Demopolis, and other cities in this pocket of West Alabama, have realized we all have enormous potential. Collectively, we’ve created somewhat of a formula for economic growth which is based on partnerships instead of monotony.

Working together, the communities of West Alabama have the ability to change this region forever. The most powerful political leaders in Alabama and Washington, D.C., say the same thing.

The owners and staff of The Demopolis Times share the opinion of Gov. Riley. We believe having a local voice for economic development and community improvement on a daily basis can serve an integral role in unifying our region of Alabama.

Because of that, today’s edition of The Demopolis Times begins a new era in the life of this newspaper. We will now publish five days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday), and we believe this conversion can become key in seeing all of West Alabama flourish.

Others have said the same thing:

We, too, believe working together as a region can translate into the reality of economic and social growth.