Welcome to Wednesday.

This morning, you’re holding a complimentary copy of The Messenger, your award-winning hometown newspaper. We’re trying out a new initiative designed to spread the news throughout Pike County.

“We realized that while many of you enjoyed reading the advertising information in The Bonus each week, you wanted more … more news, more advertising information, more photographs, more details about your hometown,” said Stacy Graning, publisher. “For many years, we’ve expanded the delivery of The Messenger on Thanksgiving Day to readers throughout the county, to tremendous response.

“We decided to build on that response, with a weekly expansion of The Messenger to larger readership base.”

Beginning this week, more than 10,000 complimentary copies of The Messenger will be available for readers each week.

“For the next two weeks, thanks to the partnership with our sponsors, your hometown Piggly Wiggly stores, the majority of those newspapers will be delivered to the homes of the residents who live in the areas where we have established home delivery routes in Troy, Brundidge, Banks and surrounding areas,” Graning said. “Residents also can pick up copies of The Wednesday Messenger at more than 50 other locations, including the regular newsdealer locations; convenience and grocery stores; and more.”

Inside the pages of today’s edition you’ll find the same news you’d find in any Wednesday edition – from local high school and recreation sports coverage to news about the governments in Troy and Brundidge to information about the schools and cultural events taking place throughout Pike County. Equally as important, you’ll find the same details from the advertisers, from grocery store sales fliers to classified advertisements with details on upcoming yard sales.

“We hope you enjoy your Wednesday Messenger. We’re glad to be able to bring it to more readers throughout the county and appreciate the partnership with the Garrett family at the Piggly Wiggly stores to be able to provide doorstep delivery these next couple of weeks,” Graning said.

“We want your feedback, as well. Please let us know what you think of this,” she said. E-mail the newspaper at editor@troymessenger.com or visit its Facebook page.