A nice free small town newspaper. Has the obits, classifieds, police runs, advertising and more…read more Interesting articles but a very far right conservatative writer so just keep that in mind as you read this paper. But what the heck? Its free! Not much free anymore. When I had to place the obituary for my sister the owner was very polite and said local obits are free. I thought that was real nice.

This newspaper was a joy to read on my porch while enjoying a cup of coffee watching our beautiful…read morelake. Unfortunately we no longer have it in print only online. It made me think and ask more questions about local news and events. I do miss the "hard" copy.

My experience with this company started off well enough, but I soon felt they operate in ways I…read moredon't agree with. Whether it's general disorganization or willingness to deceive, I'm not sure. This review covers my experience as a reader, a contractor, and my opinion on their handling of business clients. Buckle up for a lengthy, but comprehensive, review. I like reading local papers and, when I saw they were looking for weekly delivery help, I applied with the intention of also asking about writing & editing work. This paper's mostly ads, with some event coverage and occasional article sprinkled in. Grammar errors and articles cut off with no conclusion made me think things were done in a hurry. As a writer/editor who also does some e-business & marketing consulting, I thought I could help them boost readability on top of circulation. I found the ladies, including the owner, very friendly. Before I could ask about writing/editing, I was being talked into a sales position. They're expanding into Ross County and was excited that I'm local. I have social anxiety (sometimes severe) and was very upfront about it; I even avoid the phone most of the time. I've never been much for sales but needed a way to make the low-pay route more feasible, so I listened. They said some of them also have S.A. but still make very large commission checks. I was told I could do things how I was most comfortable and possibly do it from home (since I live so far from the office and am used to working remotely). The owner even said she could see me in a more 'corporate' capacity with them, though she didn't really elaborate on how she meant it. I felt I finally found the sweet spot I'd been looking for: a position (local/regional, with remote work possible) where they acknowledged my condition, instead of it being a barrier, and I could put my professional experience to work to help build their success organically. It sounded ideal and I was stoked. However, the reality started showing itself during my second interview. The manager, who wasn't there for my first interview, made an immediate point of contradicting some of what even the owner told me (she said "I make all the decisions around here, not my mom") but added salespeople get a laptop to work with. It wasn't as originally described but, despite the contradictions, still sounded OK. I came in that day already jazzed about the idea of being able to help a small business closer to home build itself (as opposed to those I typically work with, located in other states and countries) and thought I'd go for it anyway. The job turned out to be primarily high-volume telemarketing, with "buffering" the details to gain a sale being encouraged - one of the things I hate most about sales are the tactics often used. Building the new territory in a way I was comfortable with was actually not an option, despite what I'd been told. The requirements set out hindered, rather than assisted, my ability to build anything. The laptop was a loaner belonging to the manager's son and wasn't even charged, delaying my start. I overheard the ladies talking about me in the manager's office, going from nice to catty in no time flat. I felt duped, insulted, and set up to fail. That was Day One. I went home that afternoon intending to keep trying, still feeling that I was in a good position to help build circulation, readability, and sales if really given the chance. Despite the bait-and-switch, I was going to ignore the cattiness, bring my own laptop to the office, and prove I was good for the company. That is, until I went to send info to a lead who wanted it via email (after work, since the loaner laptop froze) and realized the product they wanted me to sell my local businesses on didn't deliver what they'd be paying for. The 10-week ad was going into a monthly paper, so they'd be paying for 10 spots but only getting, what, two? I'd been so focused on building a list of places to contact (quickly, to meet the pressure for volume) that I missed the product details, which doesn't happen to me under normal work conditions. I pride myself on integrity and was simply done by then, disgusted. When I mentioned it to the manager, she didn't even comment on it, saying only she was sorry I'm uncomfortable with telemarketing (as if she didn't know). As stated before, I don't know if they purposely mislead clients or are just so disorganized and high on sales, they missed it too. Either way, it's unfortunate. I've lost my taste for even reading the Messenger. As for recommending it to any businesses looking to advertise, I'd strongly suggest they ask as many questions as it takes to be satisfied that they're getting what they pay for.

It is easy to get the wrong idea about (614) (the parentheses are part of its name), the free…read moremagazine available monthly at various places in town; it is not a rag to discover what weekend events are happening, what band are playing where, nor will it get you free entry to a gouging strip club like say the extinct Other Paper did. Though they do have monthly schedules, smart phones have put an end to prints that specializes in only that. What it does, as magazines do, is publish feature articles; stories from a wider perspective and more in-depth than hard news. For me, its deeper coverage of Columbus' culture and goings-on is my feature writing supplement to columbusunderground hard info. Together I am out of the dark about the community's civic and cultural trends. The covers are always graphically and photographically eye-catching. They make the issues look glossy, an illusion as one touch reveals its lower grade paper stock, a fact not to be disparage for a free publication. Still the artistry of the illusion should be applauded; often with city landmarks transported behind animated avatars they appear like old super hero comics--the city behind rendered like Gotham. Their photos laid covers are just as well done. Articles are usually well written and edited, with various levels of sophistication and acumen, but never underserving; I appreciate the general artsy style here than the tranquilized tone of the Dispatch's Art Section The February 2016 addition is typical of what you will find every month: the story of a local musician battling back after break up of his former band due to a theft; an electrically written interview with the band Animal Collective; a look into the art competition involving the Arnold Sports Festival; A look at the annual Dude-a-thon at Studio 35; a look back at the NFL's roots in Columbus; and a great article viewing the benefits and challenges of the social enterprise model embarked by Hot Chicken Takeover and other businesses in town. Packed with info and interests, it was a joy to read. Ending each addition are short-short stories written by Columbus area writer showcasing the talent in town. (They also have poetry that I think misses, but I am picky about that art form.) I usually pick one up while eating after a long work week. It is a must for anyone interested in the city's culture.

There are a core group of publications that I must have by my bedside to find what's coming up and…read morethe latest Columbus news. This is one of them. (614) is published each month and is in a nice, large format that is full color and chock full of useful local information. The tone of the magazine is similar to 'Alive' but with a bit more refined flavor. For example, the April 2010 issue has articles on African restaurants around town next to articles on the best Columbus locations to buy a house and how to go about getting a good deal. Their events section is beautifully laid out with large descriptions of each event and pictures accompanying each one which makes it nice to see something other than an endless sea of type. The stories and events are Columbus centered so you have a good chance of seeing someone that you know (if not yourself) in its pages. I usually pick up (614) at Cup O'Joe but they are scattered all about town with a high concentration in the Short North. But pick one up fast as they go quickly!!

Till recent, I was a daily subscriber for nearly 2 decades and decided to end my subscription. The…read moreColumbus Dispatch was once a very good newspaper, best in the State. In the last few years, the quality of the local reporting, the consistent very left leaning editorials and reliance on dated filler articles from the AP have really impacted for the worse. Their coverage of the Trump administration is so awful and one sided. I have not read a single positive story involving the President since he took office. I am not his biggest fan either. Several of their recent stories, such as the family murdered in Southeast Ohio were written so poorly with misplaced pronouns that I had to read the story several times. I simply decided that I will rely on other papers such as the Wall Street Journal. The Journal cost more, but delivers more value. It's a shame the Dispatch has decided to go left, cut costs, and employ mediocre editing. Cities need local newspapers to keep politicians in check, report news fairly and share various viewpoints so the reader can be informed. Unfortunately, The Columbus Dispatch, much like the New York Times has decided in recent years to pick a side. If I wanted that, I would tune into Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC for free.

Horrible, horrible customer service. No way to reach a live person and chats are not helpful in…read moreresolving delivery issues. I have to go back and chat repeatedly to get a credit for a missed delivery. Our delivery person has no back-up, so when she is sick or has car trouble, we get no newspaper. I don't know how much longer I can put up with this nonsense.

Liked to view the local news and obits in the Ledger. Now, it has adopted the BLOCKING software…read morethat only allows a few free articles each month. Dying Newspapers are trying to wrestle money from news readers, when instead they should look to make their advertising more effective and earn money from advertisers. Without readers of the Ledger Independent, you ad revenue is gone. I don't want a print subscription or digital subscription. Find a way to make interesting news and the advertisers will pay to be exposed to your online viewers. Sad to see the Ledger Independent go this way. The end is closer than it was before this foolish move.

Zero stars is a more accurate rating. Circulation is non-existent. All The Messenger has to do is…read moredeliver a bundle of newspapers to a local post office and then mail carriers and clerks complete delivery to multiple customers. They can get newspapers to local stores for folks to purchase, but miserably fail subscribers who have already paid for a newspaper.

From the owner: The Athens Messenger is a multi-media news organization & commercial printing facility that serves…read moreAthens County, Ohio and parts and surrounding area. The Athens Messenger is a multimedia news organization and commercial printing facility that serves Athens County, OH, and parts of the surrounding seven counties in Southeastern Ohio. Established in 1848, The Athens Messenger became a daily publication in 1904 and is published Tuesday through Sunday with a circulation of about 10,000 daily. The Athens Messenger launched its electronic edition in 2003. Call us today.