Farewell to press, hello to progressive future

Goodbyes to longtime friends arent easy. Even the difficult and testy ones that get crotchety in their later years are hard. Thats the case with our 1972 Harris printing press.

Its always reminded me of five Volkswagen Beetles, packed together and standing on end. It drives about like a 72 Bug.

The Harris has unassumingly gone to work for us every day with no complaints for the last 34 years a true friend.

Thats with only a handful of sick days. Regrettably, the sick days have been more common lately.

That led us to the decision: all of our printing and packaging operations will be permanently moved to Lewiston on Aug. 1.

Why are we talking about this move five months in advance? Because its important to our community newspaper, its staff and you the reader.

The early discussion gives our staff of 60-plus time to adjust to the idea of off-site printing. Its a cultural change for us. The Harris inky aroma and audible whir, clunk and hum as the daily edition flies off the press will be missed.

The heads up gives our commercial printing customers time to acclimate.

And, it gives us an opportunity to share the change in advance with you the reader, who we view as our 14,000-plus bosses or shareholders.

The Harris has printed roughly 11,000 daily editions since it was installed new in 1972. Thats about 93.5 million Moscow-Pullman Daily News front pages. Throw in the sports sections and a few other weekly sections and its printed more than 200 million individual local news sections.

Not too shabby.

And, that doesnt include its years of service to other regional newspapers like the Washington State University Daily Evergreen, the University of Idaho Argonaut, The Whitman County Gazette, The St. Maries Gazette, The Latah Eagle, Orofinos Clearwater Tribune, The Boomerang, Pomeroys East Washingtonian and a host of high school newspapers and niche publications.

In total, thats upwards of 300 million separate newspaper sections over its noble 34-year career.

The Harris has proudly and quietly served the printing needs of our region.

So, why are we making the move to Lewiston? Our Harris press either needs to be upgraded or replaced. Its moving parts, the inevitable for any of us, are tiring out. Its becoming unpredictable and cost-prohibitive in terms of maintenance. And, on Daily News economics alone, it simply doesnt pencil out to purchase the quality and size of printing press that will serve our needs. That leads us to the consolidation of our printing operations with our sister newspaper, the Lewiston Tribune.

In the short term, the plan is to print on the larger Goss Urbanite press in Lewiston. Thats only temporary. The move gives us immediate access to more modern and reliable equipment. It also sets into motion key strategic, financial and planning opportunities that will allow us to break ground on a production facility in late 2007 and complete the install of a new printing press in early 2008.

The plan is to build a Tribune Publishing Company facility that serves the needs of the Daily News, Tribune and other regional newspapers for decades to come.

The quality of our daily newspaper will greatly improve and full color will be an option on nearly every page. Thats exciting for newspaper junkie types.

Most importantly, its a responsible move that guarantees the future health of our community newspaper. It will allow us to remain with feet firmly planted on the Palouse, serving Whitman and Latah counties with its own brand of independent news and opinion for many years to come.

As for the Harris, the plan is to keep it up and operational for a year during the transition. If needed, we could call our comrade back into duty. Assuming the transition goes smoothly, my guess is the Harris will someday move from Moscow to a smaller newspaper market, maybe to South America. That seems to be the industry trend.

The Harris isnt retiring without a bang. We have a celebration planned. Consider this an invite: please mark your calendar for 4 p.m. Aug. 1. Drop by the Daily News in Moscow for a cold beverage of choice and a final goodbye.

The hard-working Harris deserves a proper send-off.

Maybe its new home will be near the Galapagos Islands. And, I bet when the door to its new press room is left open, it will have a clear view of a sunny southern coastline. Its certainly deserved.

* Nathan Alford is editor and publisher of the Daily News. He cam be reached by e-mail at .