Founded:
1868. Joined Freedom Communications Inc. in 1995.

Circulation:
Daily: 10,946; Sunday: 9,310.

Philosophy:
An open, creative newsroom in which reporters, photographers and the copy desk staff work together in pursuit of excellence.

Special features:
Superb reproduction and full-color capability on every page. With nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the B-2 ?stealth? bomber, we routinely cover the base. We also provide expanded, extensive coverage of the Missouri State Fair and 70 percent local content in each print edition. We are a true hometown media source.

Awards:
Gold awards from the Kansas City Press Club in feature writing (2011), feature photography (2011), news photography (2011), business reporting (2010), sports reporting (2010) and editorial writing (2010). First place in news and feature photography and spot sports reporting in the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editors 2010 contest in Division 3. First place for best news story in the 2010 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. Finalist in editorial writing in the 2010 Great Plains Journalism Awards competition. Editorials/columns winner in the Missouri State Teachers Association 2011 Education Media Awards.

THE COMMUNITY

Location:
Located 90 miles east of Kansas City, 70 miles from the Lake of the Ozarks resort area and 200 miles west of St. Louis.

Market:
Broad-based manufacturing economy. Unemployment is low and housing costs are modest.

Things to do:
The city borders the scenic Missouri Ozarks and has a symphony and a lively arts scene, including a fledgling museum of modern art with a multi-million dollar collection. Nearby Kansas City and Columbia offer world-class sports and entertainment.

Population:
21,151

Median home price:
$81,639.