We published a story on the disappearance of the forums last week, but I thought I would repost it here, as we've had a few questions from readers.

A change is coming to the Daily Tidings online forum and story-response system.

Effective Wednesday [Sept. 9], dailytidings.com will suspend the system that allows forum comments on stories and blogs.

Readers may notice a different look in our staff-written blogs by the end of September and will see a new, moderated reader commenting system on the site by the end of October.

Between Wednesday and the date the new systems are in place, readers will not be able to comment on stories or blogs.

Previous forum comments will not be accessible in the interim or once the new system is in place.

Thanks for your patience with this change.

We’ll provide more information about the new system and how it will work soon.

Basically, the company that owns us is switching forum providers, which has resulted in this down period. The new forum system is supposed to be up by the end of October. The new system will let readers comment on stories, but they won't be able to start free-standing discussions (which not that many people seemed to do anyway). The new forums will be moderated.

I know this has frustrated some people. (I miss being able to get a feeling for the community's reaction to a story.) In the meantime, if you want to share your opinions/thoughts/etc. on an issue, send letters to the editor to tidingsopinion@dailytidings.com. You can also join the Tidings' social networking site, ConnectAshland.com, and post blogs and start discussions there.

Thanks for your patience!