Don't believe everything your hear. Terre Haute, Indiana, isn't just another sleepy Hoosier crossroads community with an exotic name. It is the home to the former Columbia Records, Larry Bird's alma mater (Indiana State University), and Square Donuts.

And much, much more.

Terre Haute (pronounced "terra hote") is French for "high ground." The city rises in all of its Midwestern splendor at the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. 41 in west-central Indiana, about 70 miles southwest of Indianapolis. The Wabash River flows down its western edge as it makes its way toward a rendezvous with the Ohio River.

Our city (population app. 59,614) is the county seat for Vigo County (population approx. 105,848). It serves as a regional employment, retail, education, cultural, dining, entertainment and health-care hub for more than a dozen surrounding counties in Indiana and east-central Illinois.

In addition to Indiana State University (enrollment approx. 11,000), Terre Haute is home to three other institutions of higher learning: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, one of America's top undergraduate engineering schools; Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a women's liberal arts college operated by the Sisters of Providence; and Ivy Tech State College, a two-year vocational school.

Terre Haute has a large health-care community with numerous clinics and two major hospitals: Union Hospital on the city's north side and Terre Haute Regional Hospital on the south side.

Education and health care are major employers, as are such notable companies as Sony's Digital Audio Disc Corp., and Bemis Co.

The community's rich and colorful history is highlighted by native sons such as Anton "Tony" Hulman, whose vision and leadership helped the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis 500 become the motorsports icons they are today; Eugene V. Debs, one of the fathers of the American labor movement; Paul Dresser, composer of folk music such as Indiana's state song, "On the Banks of the Wabash"; Theodore Dreiser, an early-20th Century novelist who wrote literary classics "Sister Carrie" and "An American Tragedy"; Birch Bayh, former U.S. senator who authored the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (presidential succession amendment); and Evan Bayh (Birch's son), former U.S. senator and former Indiana governor.

CNHI

CNHI, formed in 1997 with corporate headquarters located in Birmingham, Alabama, is the parent company for daily, weekly and semiweekly newspapers published in more than 200 communities throughout the United States. The initials CNHI are an acronym for Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.

It is the company's strategy to seek out newspapers in smaller markets with growth potential. A premium has been placed in purchasing newspapers in geographic proximity, for operational efficiency and in order to provide additional services to readers.

The company's other holdings include a variety of ancillary publications and services that complement its newspaper mission.

CNHI was founded by newspaper professionals, with extensive expertise in editorial, advertising, circulation and production.

The company adheres to the strictest professional and ethical management practices and seeks to produce quality publications. Its officers are dedicated to publishing successful newspapers while also creating a pleasant working atmosphere so its employees may accomplish their best work.