In the beginning...
Start the presses!
That's the banner headline that appeared in the first edition of the Tri-County Times on April 3, 1994. It was the first time in nearly 40 years that tri-county residents witnessed the birth of a new newspaper, following the demise of the former Tri-County News.
The new publication was based on a 40-year tradition of strong newspaper experience.
Publisher Rick Rockman, Sr. promised that the paper would provide complete, in-depth coverage of all area news and events. We believe he has not only lived up to that promise, but exceeded the community's expectations by the many additions and improvements not only to the Sunday newspaper, but with the addition of the Times Online edition years ago, and the addition of the midweek publication in September 1999.
"This area desperately needs a newspaper with local news," said Rockman in April 1994. "We feel that the hometown paper concept has all but disappeared over the last few years. We'll focus on local news and events that are of interest and concern to the citizens of this area."
With that issue over 10 years ago came the return of Rockman's popular "Straight from the shoulder" column and the Hot lines.
Over the years there have been a number of changes at the Tri-County Times, all of which have been changes for the good of our readers, advertisers and community.
Many new employees have also been added to our staff over the years. In January 1997, we left our offices at the Fenton Mini-Mall on North Leroy Street, and moved into a new state-of-the-art facility on Fenway Drive in Fenton's industrial park and added a print shop and mailing house called Allied Media (formerly Allied Mailing & Printing) along with Rockman & Sons Publishing. In November of 2003, we added the final phase of our communications network by starting a full service wireless internet company called Tri-County Wireless. The rapid success of your hometown newspaper even made it necessary for us to build yet another new building, directly next door to our shops on Fenway Drive.
Serving you, our valuable readers, and advertisers always has and always will be our top priority, and we thank you for your continued support.
Why the Tri-County Times?
The Times has been the dominant area medium for nearly half a century. To this day it is still owned and operated by it's founders, the Rockman family. Every employee of the Times organization is dedicated to providing readers with the finest, most professional newspaper in the state. As an advertiser, you can be assured that the combination of the Times desirable demographic audience, 90%+ market penetration and industry dominance will ensure that your ad message has impact - the kind of impact that has an immediate effect on your sales and profits and - ultimately - your bottom line.
Publisher: Richard Rockman, Sr.
Publishing since: A community newspaper has been published since 1957. The Tri-County Times debuted on April 4, 1994.
Circulation: Sunday Edition - 24,875 (total market coverage with paid subscribers) Wednesday Edition - 13,825 (subscribers only)
Subscription cost:
$28.00 for 1 year subscription (104 issues)
$25.00 for seniors 1 year subscription (104 issues)
Sunday delivery is by carrier and motor routes.
Wednesday delivery is by U.S. Postal Service. The Wednesday edition is available by subscription.
Cost of paper: $1.00 at newsstands, stores and office.
Coin box locations: FENTON Amoco on Leroy (in store), Amoco on Owen (in store), Applebees, Big Boy, Bob Evans, Burger King - Leroy St., Burger King - Owen Rd., Clark Gas Station, Exit 80 (in store), Fenton Party Store (in store), Great Lakes Family Restaurant, K-Mart, Lake Fenton Mobile Home Village, Little Professor Book Store, Mancino's, Mega Coney Island, One Stop (in store), Phil's Store (Hickory Ridge in store), Police Station, Quick Sav (Thompson Rd. in store), Rite Aid Pharmacy, Shell Station (Silver Pky. in store), Shell Station (Thompson Rd. in store), Sunoco, VGs (in store), Wal-Mart LINDEN Alpine Grocery Store, Argentine Amoco (in store), Argentine Township Hall, Calabria Pizza (in store), Quick Sav (in store) HOLLY 7 Lakes Party Store (in store), CVS Pharmacy, Holly Foods, Holly Party Store (in store), Famous Foods
Business Routes: Distribution is 965 papers, covering Fenton, Linden and Holly businesses
Communities served: Cities/Communities - Fenton, Linden, Holly, Lake Fenton, Davisburg, Argentine, Byron, Gaines and portions of Swartz Creek, Grand Blanc and Hartland
Townships - Fenton, Holly, Argentine, Tyrone, Rose, Mundy, and parts of Deerfield and Springfield
Primary legal newspaper: The Tri-County Times is the primary legal newspaper of record for Fenton City, Fenton Township, Village of Holly, Holly Township, Linden City, Argentine Township, Tyrone Township and Rose Township.
Employees: The Tri-County Times provides approximately 35 full-time positions and over 100 part-time employment opportunities.
Sister companies: Tri-County Times - Award-winning, twice weekly newspaper, MPA 2002 Newspaper of the Year, Rockman & Sons Publishing - Publishes approximately 30 UAW newspapers, Allied Media & Website Development (Formerly Allied Mailing & Printing) - Full service printing and mailing facility, Smart Source- a monthly shopping guide serving the Swartz Creek area, Tri-County Wireless - A wireless Internet service provider (WISP)
Publications printed by Times:
Tri-County Times Source Book - Published anually every January
Fenton Chamber Journal - Published four times a year
Fenton City Report
Fenton Remembers When by Leo Weigant
Desk Calendars - Available every year in December
Sports & School Programs - Published seasonally
Chamber Directories - Published once a year
Smart Source Shopping Guide - Published monthly
Members of: Michigan Press Association, National Newspaper Association, Fenton Township Service Club, Fenton Chamber of Commerce, Linden Chamber of Commerce and Holly Chamber of Commerce, Flint Area Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Optimist Club, Swartz Creek Chamber of Commerce
Sponsors of: Quarterly Red Cross blood drives, Zonta Safety Town, Taste in Fenton, Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Holly, Fenton Chamber of Commerce Expo, Fenton Jinglefest, Fenton Jubileve, Holly Chamber of Commerce Texas Hold 'Em and Golf Outing, Fenton Freedom Festival and Fenton Area Cultural Center.
ADVERTISING CLASSIFIED & DISPLAY DEADLINES
Inserts - Wednesday 3 p.m.
Sunday A & B Display - Thursday 1 p.m.
Sunday Classified Display - Wednesday 3 p.m.
Sunday Classified Liners - Thursday noon
Wed. Main News & Classified Display - Monday 3 p.m.
Wednesday Classified Liners - Tuesday noon
NEWS/EDITORIAL DEADLINES (all features and articles)
Wednesday Edition - Tuesday 10 a.m.
Sunday Edition - Thursday 10 a.m.
RETURN POLICY: In order for a refund to be considered for prepaid advertisements, all refund requests must be within seven days of publication date. Our cancellation period is 72 hours prior to the scheduled publication date. You must notify us directly to request a refund. MAKE-GOOD POLICY In the event that an advertisement was omitted from publication, The Tri-County Times will offer placement to any mistakenly omitted advertisement into the following issue at no additional cost. PLEASE NOTE: Any dissatisfaction in the response received by an advertisement does not constitute valid grounds for a refund. If the service has been provided and the ad was placed, payment is obligatory.
