Drivers and pedestrians on University Avenue who glance at the building on the southwest corner of 500 North will find Deseret News headlines not in black and white but up in lights.
The newspaper's Utah County Bureau recently installed an electronic sign on the facade of the building it occupies at 495 N. University Ave. The sign will display daily world, national, state and local news headlines. It will also show sports scores and other items of community interest."The new sign helps solidify the Deseret News' presence in Utah County," said Dennis Romboy, Utah County bureau chief. "We are committed to making the newspaper an integral part of residents' lives."
Bob Oldroyd, owner of the building, said he hopes it comes to be known as the Deseret News building.
While the sign is new to Utah Valley, the Deseret News is not. The Utah County Bureau opened 11 years ago. It maintains a professional staff of writers and photographers to provide coverage of local politics, people and events that affect people's lives. Staff writers make an effort not just to report the news but to bring perspective and understanding. The bureau's seven staff members live in Utah County.
The Utah County Bureau operated from the Knight Block Building for 10 years. It moved to its current location last November.
"The move and purchase of the electronic sign were part of the bureau's effort to become more visible in the valley," Romboy said.
More than 1.5 million cars travel University Avenue each month. The sign is designed to bring drivers and pedestrians a quick look at important stories that will be found in the afternoon paper. The Deseret News puts out a Utah County edition of the paper Monday through Friday.