Hmmm, very strange that Charlotte.com had update troubles this AM. There have been certain indications that the Observer has a new facelift to its Web site in the works, probably in the final testing stages right now.

Word has it the new site will try to have its own electronic identity and not just be a carbon copy of the print version. This, of course, is an attempt to build value in the electronic franchise for advertisers as the print side of the business continues to fall away right across the McClatchy empire.

The Observer could’ve made this move sooner and more cheaply by embracing the blog-centric online model of papers like the News & Record. But that would’ve given reporters far too much freedom to write copy without the heavy hand of Uptown on them. Instead, the paper will spend more money to make sure the top-down structure remains in place. Good plan. Especially with McClatchy looking to save money.

No doubt part of this restructuring will involving calling in reporters from the out-lying areas to pick up Mecklenburg coverage. Or maybe reporters will just to expecting to churn out copy double-time, both electronic and print.

In any event, the winds of change are blowing — even down on Tryon.