"New Kid in Town - The Palm Coast Observer"

Well, I strolled out to get the paper this morning in my bathrobe - freshly brewed Starbucks French Roast in hand (after living in Europe for a few years, you'd pass on the Maxwell House too) - and there were three!  The Daytona Beach News Journal, The Penny Saver, and a newcomer - "The Palm Coast Observer."

My first impression was, "Hmmm,very nice!"  Now we've had our share of local rags that didn't make it.  Mainly because of "print media over-kill" when the economy was cookin', coupled with inane content and poor print and paper quality.  

According to the publisher, John Walsh:  "We are proud to present The Palm Coast Observer.  Modeled after its award-winning sister papers in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, The Palm Coast Observer is dedicated to serving as the leading and most trusted source of local news and information for Palm Coast and Flagler County. 

Our mission is to deliver the area's most relevant and comprehensive news, information and features affecting Palm Coast and Flagler County residents, their neighborhoods and the community at large.

From backyard birthday parties to grade-school award ceremonies, from high school sports, to church socials and the County Commission and City Council - if it happens in Palm Coast, residents will know where to turn - to The Palm Coast Observer." 

Only time, of course, will tell if this tall order is met.  But this paper has a good "look and feel."  And although the trend in news is away from print and drifting to the internet, I'm thinking that the Palm Coast demographic still likes to "read the paper."  I personally liked "Cop's Corner" (a local police blotter), "Community Calendar" and "Real Estate Transactions" (an area where we are dissed by the Volusia oriented DBNJ).  I'm hoping they can pull it off.  With time and maturation, this paper could develop into the "real deal" for Palm Coast.