OUR TURN: Welcome to the www.dailytrib.com

Welcome to the official first day of www.DailyTrib.com.

We think you’re going to like it.

Readers will now find their news constantly updated, as well as linked to our video reports at Highland Lakes Headlines, which is found at our sister Web site www.picayunetv.com.

The transition of our Tuesday-Friday print newspaper solely to online is part of our new philosophy of better service to our readers: Get the news. Get it now.

Of course, for those who remain accustomed to getting their information from the printed page, we understand that change can be difficult.

For that reason, the River Cities Sunday Tribune is still offered in a print format, with home and newsstand delivery on Saturdays.

Our weekly Picayune newspaper, the Daily Tribune’s companion publication filled with feel-good features and community news, also will still be delivered every Wednesday.

So we’re still printing two days a week.

We’re not going anywhere.

Yet there are many of you who are grieving that the printed newspaper you’ve gotten used to finding every weekday morning in your driveway like a reliable friend will now be solely on the Web.

But when your mourning is over, you will find that www.DailyTrib.com still delivers the most interesting and relevant news around, just in a different format. And much, much faster.

Just as man progressed from cave paintings to papyrus and eventually to a printing press, the way we disseminate information is changing once again, this time moving to the Web. We’re among the first news companies in this area to do this, but eventually all media is headed in this direction.

In the meantime, we remain committed to serving the Highland Lakes of Central Texas. We’re part of a family-owned company that has been in this area for more than three decades, and our dedication to covering the news is just as strong as the first day founders Dan and Lee Alvey cranked out the original Picayune, from whence all our other products here at Victory Publishing Co. Ltd. flow.

But with the wireless revolution and the mushrooming use of the Internet, the delivery of the news is changing again. And so are we.

We are proud and thankful that we have built up such loyalty in so short a time. After all, The Daily Tribune is only four years old. Yes, it is the most accurate newspaper in this area. And yes, it has thought-provoking editorials, cutting-edge stories and the best writers. It’s even been named the best small daily in Texas twice by the Texas Press Association.

None of that goes away simply because we’ve gone from pulp to cyberspace.

We are changing the format for a number of reasons, including ones based on sound business principles. But we’re also doing it because it increases the immediacy and availability of the news readers need to navigate and keep up with our complex and active community.

Like we say: Get the news. Get it now.

We’re already delivering on that promise. A story that occurred Thursday is a blueprint for how you’ll get your news with www.DailyTrib.com.

At  4 p.m. there was a collision on RR 1431 involving a school bus and a small car. Two men in the small car were severely injured; one later died. The kids on the bus were not hurt, but traffic was backed up for miles.

Anyone who wanted to know what was going on merely had to turn to us. Within  two hours after the first ambulance was dispatched, information and a picture of the wreck were posted to www.DailyTrib.com. A reporter also did a news break for Highland Lakes Headlines. An e-mail alert was sent out giving the most important details to readers, including on their smartphones— which could also receive the news-break report.

Our competitor had nothing, not even on their Web site. And the Austin television stations didn’t air their reports until 10 p.m., six hours after the fact.

So you can see the advantages to being a part of www.DailyTrib.com.

So remember, we’re not going anywhere. We’re still in business, we’re still strong. All we’re offering is a better Daily Tribune that will match the pace of your lifestyle and your right to get the most accurate news as quickly as possible.

We’re embarking on a wonderful journey. And we hope you will join us.

The River Cities Daily Tribune editorial board includes Dan Alvey, Amber Alvey Weems, Thomas Edwards, Chris Porter and Daniel Clifton