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UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION During this time, too, the Spectrum redefined its market, narrowing the focus to the 1-15 corridor from Beaver to Mesqu-ite, Nevada and the area along Highway 89 from Panguitch to Kanab. The Richfield bureau was closed in 1994. The paper underwent a minor identity change in '94 when "Daily" was dropped from its name. Management felt it reflected a less cluttered front page appearance - and recognized that the Spectrum's daily status was a well-known fact which didn't require repeating on its masthead. Readership has grown into the 21,000 range with focus on quality circulation in the Cedar City and St. George areas. Record profitability and new highs in revenue and circulation were experienced in 1994 and employment rose to a full-time equivalent of 105 early in 1995. New press equipment, automatic inserting machines and a production facility midway between St. George and Cedar City are in the paper's long-range planning. The Spectrum continues to be an important member of the dozens of communities it serves. Sponsorship of the 10K race is emphasized and by 1995 it was attracting more than 225 runners on its course from Snow Canyon to the city of Ivins. Numerous other projects are sponsored or co-sponsored, ranging from the annual Cancer Society golf tournament to local art festivals. In recent years the paper played a key role in the renovation of the St. George Opera House, now known as the Pioneer Center for the Arts, the Tuacahn development, the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Dixie Care and Share and the United Way. In 1994 the paper was named the General Excellence winner by the Utah-Idaho-Spokane Associated Press organization and in 1995 won the same award from Utah Press Association. Numerous reporters, photographers and editors have been individually honored as well. Population of the area the Spectrum serves had swollen to about 110,000 by early 1995 and was continuing to lead the state in growth-rate. 172 |