Scott County Signal makes online debut

The Scott County Signal launched a new website Sunday for those interested in Scott County news and information. The new site is now available at scottcountysignal.com.

After months of preparation, the site is ready for viewing.

"We saw the need for this product and received many requests for the website. We are responding to that need and are glad we can roll this out as a free product for a period so that readers can give us their feedback," said Mark Kneer, general operations manager for the Southeast Missourian.

The website will allow readers to follow news as it happens, keep up with daily obituaries and births, follow government meetings, look for local events, read interviews of local people, follow local sports and share opinions all day, every day. Individuals will be able to share their photos and news information, such as sports and area events.

The website will give readers access to material not available in print. Because the Signal is printed Thursday and distributed Sunday, providing high school sports coverage on a timely basis is difficult, but at scottcountysignal.com, people can follow area sports teams as the staff pulls stories from sister newspapers.

The website will allow free access until Christmas. Readers will have access to meeting agendas and photo galleries of sports and events in Scott County, and contests. Through scottcountysignal.com, subscribers will be able to view regional classifieds, Scott County homes for sale, Missouri Department of Conservation and local livestock market news feeds. Even without subscribing, users will be able to submit Speak Out comments, letters to the editor, engagements, marriages and much more directly through the site for print and online publication.

The website is one of several improvements made at the Scott County Signal in the last 12 months; others include the redesign of the publication, expanded local content, a history column, weekly interviews with area people, government and school board updates and more.

After Christmas, the monthly rate for access to scottcountysignal.com will be $4. For $7.95 a month, readers can have access to scottcountysignal.com and semissourian.com.

Southeast Missourian print subscribers may pay a lower fee for semissourian.com and scottcountysignal.com access.