In January 1995 the criminal trial of O. J. Simpson opens in California, Timothy McVeigh is arrested as a suspect in the Oklahoma bombing and the Major League Baseball strike ends. That summer the first edition of The Citizen newspaper is published.
Now, a decade later The Citizen newspaper has grown into the most trusted and leading weekly publication in Atlas, Brandon, Groveland and Hadley townships in addition to the villages of both Ortonville and Goodrich.
Such accolades were reflected in a 2004 report from a Community Papers of Michigan readership study.
In the report 99 percent of residents in The Citizen market area said they receive the newspaper regularly each week. Eighty-five percent, compared to a national average of 76 percent said they read The Citizen on a regular basis. And 77 percent said they purchase products or use services from advertisements offered in The Citizen.
The information is part of the Circulation Verification Council (CVC) an independent, thrid-party audit company that specializes in community papers and audits more than 2,500 community papers nationwide.
With a weekly circulation of more than 11,350 The Citizen features a variety of news, sports and features that mirror each community. The full-color publication offers readers in-depth perspectives on local issues, breaking news and current events. Each week readers will find regular features including local police reports, a community calendar, vitals and editorials. The Citizen also serves as the newspaper of record for legal notices.
Each year The Citizen publishes several special sections including: Spring, Fall and Winter sports sections featuring high school varsity athletes; a graduation section for both Brandon and Goodrich High Schools; Christmas in the Village edition in December; Citizen of the Year published during Septemberfest and summer and winter activity books. Finally, each March the Progress edition is published highlighting area businesses.
Businesses can choose from a variety of advertising including Here’s My Card, display advertising, classified or pre-printed inserts.
The Citizen is part of Sherman Publications Inc. publishers of Ad-Vertiser, The Oxford Leader, The Lake Orion Review, The Clarkston News, Penny Stretcher and Metamora Crossroads.