First copies of outsourced Bellingham Herald delivered today (updated)

The Bellingham Herald has transferred printing operations of the paper to a commercial printer, Skagit Valley Publishing. On Monday, the first papers printed by the new printer were delivered to subscribers.

The first copies of The Bellingham (Wash.) Herald rolled off the presses of a commercial printer and hit the streets Monday morning.

Skagit Valley Publishing now prints The McClatchy Co.-owned paper under an arrangement that was first announced in June 2008.

Of the 21 pressroom employees idled by the outsourcing, "no one took up opportunities at Skagit, but several have undertaken retraining or have other jobs in the works," Executive Editor Julie Shirley wrote in a note to readers Sunday. "They've getting the same severance as those who have been laid off during this recession, so they have time to consider what's next. It speaks to their professionalism that most remained with us to the end -- making sure your paper was printed and packaged correctly."

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Update: a reader says he canceled his subscription today.

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