Several changes have recently been made to the

MARIPOSA GAZETTE Web site (www.mariposagazette.com).

The home page now sports a new, condensed appearance that makes it more user friendly and allows easier access to categorized news stories.

At the end of each story there is also a “share bar” which allows the readers to share the story or photo via Facebook and Twitter or a number of other social media.

One of the new attractions is the Associated Press’s (AP) APTop25.com widget at the top of the sports section. College football fans can now follow their favorite teams, like Fresno State, and find stories and photos from multiple sources. Viewers can select their favorite teams and read about line-up changes, future foes, and recent results through sources provided by AP, local newspapers and sports blogs. Readers can also sign up for updates via Twitter, Facebook, and through mobile devices. The ApTop25.com site is updated regularly and is loaded on the site as soon as it is received from the regional AP office.

Net week, another widget that connects viewers to the AP’s top college football photos of the week will also be available. It will offer a small slide show and then the user will have the opportunity to view more photos related too the selected team.

In the near future, an Associated Press video featuring the top 40 stories around the state, across the country and throughout the world will be available on the home page so visitors can stay abreast of current and breaking news stories.

In addition, the GAZETTE’S site is now updated on a more regular basis. Local news stories and news briefs from the AP’s state (California) wire service are posted throughout the day.

Work is also under way on new Facebook and Twitter presences to allow readers easy access to breaking news stories and features. Soon, local video primarily consisting of interviews with government officials and law enforcement will be added, as well as video clips from breaking news events like vehicle accidents and wildland fires.

Viewers can still see the entire contents of each week’s print edition with “page flip” technology which allows readers to go back ad forth between different pages.

Each and every advertiser is still also represented on the

GAZETTE’S Web site. All display ads that are published in the print edition also appear at the far right, giving advertisers and extra boost in exposure. When viewers click on a displayed advertisement, the site brings up a larger version and in many cases takes the viewer directly to the advertisers Web site. A the immediate right, viewers will find “skyscraper” boxes that take them directly to that advertisers Web site or opens an email window to provide easy contact.