Residents in Kalona, Riverside and Wellman are receiving The News this week, thanks to the cities paying to have the newspaper delivered throughout each city.

The city of Kalona paid for newspapers delivered to all households on March 26 and April 2.

Kalona City Council members heard numerous compliments from residents who appreciated getting the expanded coverage of community services available during the COVID-19 situation.

Council members asked City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh to arrange to do the mass distribution again.

Schlabaugh reached out to Wellman City Administrator Kelly Litwiller and Riverside City Administrator Christine Yancey to see if they were interested.

The three cities were working together on a pop-up food pantry planned for Saturday, April 18, at the Kalona city maintenance facility.

Litwiller and Yancey quickly said yes, which is why non-subscribers in those cities are getting the newspaper this week.

“We appreciate the cities working together to provide the pop-up food pantry for those in need,” News Publisher Jim Johnson said. “We also appreciate their desire to get information into residents’ hands with this newspaper.”

The News staff has worked to provide up-to-date and accurate information on COVID-19 and its effect on residents in our circulation area.

And there is more online. Go to TheNews-IA.com for daily updates on COVID-19 and how to deal with it.

For those who like what they read, The News is offering 15% off new subscriptions and renewals until May 1.

There is a coupon on Page 10 of this week’s newspaper to take advantage of the special offer.

“As we navigate through uncharted waters together, we need your support to bring you the news that really matters in our communities,” Johnson said. “If you feel that The News has benefitted you or your business over the years, we ask you to support us with a one-year subscription or renewal.”