The Scoop: different name, same coverage

  • Published
  • By Jeff Mullin
  • Enid News & Eagle
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Later this month, after more than 55 years, the printed version of the Vance Airscoop will cease to exist.

That doesn't mean, however, that Vance Air Force Base will be without a newspaper.
Beginning next month the Enid News & Eagle, the contracting publisher for Vance Airscoop for a number of years, will begin distributing a new publication called The Scoop.

The Scoop will continue to cover the base and base activities, said Cindy Allen, managing editor of the News & Eagle. The Vance Public Affairs office will continue to assist in providing articles and columns for The Scoop, and News & Eagle writers also will contribute to the publication.

"Vance Air Force Base is a special community and we will continue to publish a local, community newspaper for the people who work at Vance or have Vance connections," said Jeff Funk, News & Eagle publisher.

The new publication will be freed from content and size constraints imposed by the Air Force. The Vance Airscoop could not carry syndicated copy, but The Scoop will include a weekly syndicated column by Jacey Eckhart, an award-winning writer and military spouse.

Her weekly column features humorous advice, news and information on military life culled from her experience of 19 years as a military wife, including 15 relocations and one child born during her husband's deployment.

"The quality and coverage of The Scoop will continue to focus on Vance Air Force Base and its people," said Allen. "We look forward to hearing from readers about some of the changes they will see, and we look forward to continuing this very worthwhile publication."

The Scoop will continue to be provided free on base, but subscriptions also will be available. An online version of The Scoop also will be available.

"We've had many former Vance personnel request Vance Airscoop, and now we will be able to provide an option for those folks to keep up with what's going on out at the base," said Allen.

When publication of the Vance Airscoop ceases, official news and photos will be posted on the base's revised public Web site. Much of that same news will be published in The Scoop, along with command staff commentary, graduation photos and news of coming events.

"The people here at Vance will have the ability to get immediate command information via our new Web site and also have the printed product everybody likes to have," said Capt. Tony Wickman, chief of public affairs for the 71st Flying Training Wing.