High fuel costs lead to curtailment of Oregonian

Cathlamet subscribers of The Oregonian recently received a letter stating that as of August 1, home delivery will no longer be available. Customers will still be able to purchase their papers from local racks and newspaper machines.

According to staff at The Oregonian, Cathlamet is the only area affected by this change.

Bernie Wright, independent dealer of The Oregonian said because of the rising fuel prices and the small number of subscribers in Cathlamet, home delivery is no longer an option.

“I have someone going out there anyway, but they won’t deliver to homes, there is a big difference in mileage,” he said. “It all comes down to dollars and cents.”

Wright said he would like to reinstate home delivery; however, last time he raised prices, he lost customers. People can still receive their paper through the mail, but they will receive the news a day or two later than those with home delivery.

“That is something the newspaper does through their office; I don’t do that here,” he said.

There is also online access of the paper. There is no charge for that, but it isn’t the full paper, either, Wright said.