The sad news that Erie's GAF Materials Corp. will close at the end of March quickly circulated throughout the region Thursday. Part of the reason the news spread so quickly was the Erie Times-News' multi-pronged reporting. It's terrible news for the workers and their families, so I don't mean to insult anyone by bragging about how quickly our reporters got the word out.

But it's a signal of things to come in reporting news in Erie. Word about the plant closing was immediately posted on GoErie.com, the newspaper's Web site, and a special e-mail message to Web site readers called attention to the news.

Times-News reporters Jim Martin, Kara Rhodes and Kevin Flowers, who were at the plant, swung into fast action. They interviewed employees, company officials, local government officials, and the folks who run the new Bayfront Convention Center, which is under construction near the GAF plant.

The closing is heartbreaking because, from all indications, the Erie plant had been doing well. Because of damage caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters in recent years, there's been a high demand for roofing shingles. But, GAF has a newer plant in eastern Pennsylvania, with equipment that's more modern than the plant in Erie.

Once the news was out -- on the newspaper's Web site -- reporting for the next morning's newspaper focused on the people and their reactions. It also tried to answer questions why the plant would close, and to place it in context with other recent company closings in the region.

What resulted were stories on government officials who felt betrayed because (they say) the company did not tell them the truth; what will happen to the land where the plant sits; what will the employees' severance packages consist of; voices of the people involved; and a timeline showing the history of the plant, which dates back to 1885.

Again, this is a sad story for the region, but the community needs to know the facts. I took a phone call this morning from a person who said he was certain that "Convention Center officials made a secret deal with GAF officials to close the plant, so that the convention center could acquire the property."

"What's the basis of your information?" I asked.

"It's only a hunch, but my gut tells me it's true," he replied.

When I asked if he read the coverage in today's newspaper, the man admitted he hadn't. "Why don't you read it, and then, if you still feel the same way, call me back and we'll talk some more," I said.

A couple hours later, the guy phoned again. "Well, maybe it didn't happen the way I thought," he said. "The stories in the newspaper seem pretty thorough."

They are. But, that said, the GAF closing will require additional investigation and reporting in the days ahead. Readers will be able to follow it on the Web and in the newspaper.

-- Kevin Cuneo