Sound Publishing Inc. today announced changing the publishing frequency, day of publication and format of a number of newspapers in Kitsap County. Effective Jan. 9, 2009, three of the twice-weekly newspapers — The Port Orchard Independent, Bainbridge Island Review and North Kitsap Herald will begin publishing weekly on Fridays. The Central Kitsap Reporter, Bremerton Patriot and Northwest Navigator will also publish on Fridays. With the new Friday publishing schedules, “What’s Up” entertainment section will expand its coverage to 70,000 homes countywide.

“While many newspapers are concerned about declining readership due to the Internet age, our newspapers in Kitsap county are taking the opposite approach — purposefully reducing their frequency of distribution to focus more resources to publishing an online edition containing breaking news content and regular community features,” said Lori Maxim, vice president of West Sound Newspaper Operations, Sound Publishing Inc.

“Our newspapers will continue to provide high quality, local editorial content to readers, and targeted advertising packages to local and national advertisers. Our goal is to be the preeminent provider of local content and advertising in Kitsap County,” Maxim said.

In addition to these changes, newspapers serving Kitsap, Island and San Juan County will be converted to a tabloid format effective Jan. 7, 2009.

“Readers nowadays prefer Tabloid newspapers because they are easier to carry and there are more visual images for readers to be engaged with in the commuter friendly design,” Maxim said. “Tabloids are also environmentally friendly, using less newsprint and offering advertisers more color availability.”

As a result of the closure of the company’s printing facility on Bainbridge Island, all Sound Newspapers will be printed at the Everett press facility beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2009.

Sound Publishing Inc. is the largest publisher of community and suburban newspapers in Washington and is also one of the area’s largest commercial web printers. The company operates 30 community and suburban newspapers, two monthly business journals, 17 Little Nickel and Nickel Ads weekly shoppers throughout Washington and Oregon. In addition, publishes two editions of the Northwest Navigator for the U.S. Navy.