Years ago, people used to discuss the news over their back fence or down at the corner store. The topics of the day would provoke lively conversations among neighbors with differing points of view.

In today’s world, that “back fence” conversation has all but disappeared. Peoples’ hectic lives leave very little time for idle conversation about what’s going on in town, and who wants to hang out down at the local supercenter just talking?

Well, Current Publishing’s Web site at www.keepMEcurrent.com is bringing back those community discussions, giving readers space to talk about the local stories that affect them, their neighbors and their communities.

Readers can add their own perspective to what’s going on in their town by posting their opinions, thoughts and observations about local issues, lifestyles or life in general. And putting your thoughts online is easy!

There are two ways to join in on the conversation. First, click on the “add your comments” link at the bottom of any story. It only takes a minute to sign up for a free contributor’s account to have access to post community letters and many of the site’s other functions.

Letters for the site can also be e-mailed to letters@keepmecurrent.com. E-mailed letters should include a daytime phone number for verification.

We are also looking for “citizen journalists” to act as community correspondents for the site. We have a number of people writing blogs on such diverse issues as parenting, outdoor sports and wellness. Tim Brent, who plays center for the Portland Pirates, is also giving readers a look behind the scenes with his regular “On and Off the Ice” blog. If you have an interest in writing a blog on any issue, write to news@keepmecurrent.com with your idea and we’ll work with you to set it up.

While the core of Current Publishing’s mission is publishing excellent local weekly papers in the greater Portland area, the exciting thing about keepMEcurrent.com is it has allowed us to dramatically widen our scope of news coverage for all of the towns we cover. Instead of putting out the news once a week, keepMEcurrent.com allows us to truly be a “24/7” news operation.

We have reporters working seven days a week and the site is updated with fresh stories daily and breaking news as it happens. Thanks to the diligent work of our news team, we have been able to break many significant local news stories well before the major daily papers.

KeepMEcurrent.com also strives to be the first and best source for information about what’s going on in the community. The site features guest columns on a number of issues, a calendar of local events and school and event cancellations. If you’ve got an event you want to see on the Web, send it to us at events@keepmecurrent.com and we’ll post it.

But the site has more than just local news. KeepMEcurrent.com also gives local organizations the capability to post their own press releases, upcoming events, organizational news and much more. Setting up an account is free and only takes a few minutes. If you represent a non-profit organization, and would like to know how keepMEcurrent.com can help to publicize your organization’s events, call me at 854-2577, or e-mail mhiggins@keepmecurrent.com for an appointment.

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