March 01, 2007 07:48 am
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Winners of the Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. annual awards for the best individual, team and staff journalism in 2006 among the group's daily and non-daily newspapers were announced today.
More than 650 entries competed in 11 categories in two daily divisions and one non-daily division of the Birmingham-based media group. CNHI owns and operates newspapers in more than 200 communities across the country.
Newspaper of the Year honors went to The Salem, Mass., News in the largest daily division. Judges praised the paper for "comprehensive coverage of its communities, superb organization, clean design and strong editorial section, with a full op-ed page featuring many local columnists."
The Times West Virginian of Fairmont, W. Va., was named Newspaper of the Year in the smaller daily division. Judges said it was "packed full of local stories with and about ordinary people," offering a strong sense of community.
The Sentinel-Echo of London, Ky., was cited as the non-daily Newspaper of the Year. It topped competing entries with the "strongest writing, strongest design, and good local coverage."
The Joplin, Mo., Globe won the coveted public service award for larger dailies with its comprehensive breaking news and subsequent investigative reporting of a Nov. 27 fire that killed 11 people at a group home for the mentally impaired. The Globe not only thoroughly covered the cause and tragic consequences of the fire, but also pored over hundreds of public documents to turn up evidence of lax inspections and weak regulations.
Public service honors in the smaller daily division went to The Tahlequah, Okla., Daily Press for an insightful look at a fundamental Christian community. The judges described the presentation as "a very eye-opening, illuminating discussion on religion in the 21st century."
Twelve senior CNHI editors judged the competition. Winners receive a $500 cash award. William B. Ketter, CNHI vice president for news and chairman of the judging panel, said the purpose of the contest is to recognize and encourage top-notch community journalism.
"Overall," said Ketter, "the judges were impressed with the strong local commitment of the papers, from serious reporting on issues of critical importance to public life in their communities to the small, folksy items that provided readers a genuine sense of place and their special interests."
The full list of winners and finalists:
Division A-1 (over 12,000 daily circulation)
Newspaper of the Year: Winner, The Salem News. Finalists, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.; The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.; The Joplin, Mo., Globe; The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
Public Service: Winner, The Joplin Globe. Finalist, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
Team Project: Winner, Kokomo, Ind., Tribune, for a thoughtful look at a young boy's illness and its importance to the community and the country. Finalist, The Joplin Globe.
Editorial Writer: Winner, Mike Tyree, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City. Finalist, Ken Johnson, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover.
Columnist: Winner, Stephanie Salter, The Tribune Star, Terre Haute, Ind. Finalist, Taylor Armerding, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover.
News Writer: Denise Jewell, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y. Finalists, Susan Evans, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown; Sheri McWhirter, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City.
Sports Writer: Winner, P. J. Harmer, The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y. No finalists.
Feature Writer: Winner, Andy Ostmeyer, The Joplin Globe; Finalist, Steve Landwehr, The Salem News.
Designer: Winner, David Duncan Scott, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover. Finalist, Mike Carrels, Muskogee, Okla., Phoenix.
Photographer: Winner, Kristen Olson, The Salem News; Finalist, Julie Lewis, The Daily Star, Oneonta.
Newsroom Utility Player: Winner, Lynn Saternow, The Herald, Sharon, Pa. Finalist, Kevin Hassler, Enid News and Eagle, Enid, Okla.
Division A-2 (under 12,000 daily circulation)
Newspaper of the Year: Winner, Times West Virginian, Fairmont. Finalists, The Gloucester, Mass., Daily Times; The Evening News, Jeffersonville, Ind.; The Tonawanda News, North Tonawanda, N.Y.; The Union-Sun & Journal, Lockport, N.Y.
Public Service: Winner, Tahlequah Daily Press. No finalists.
Team Project: Winner, Greensburg, Ind., Daily News, for a series of stories on the impact of a new Honda plant on the community. No finalists.
Editorial Writer: Winner, Taylor Armerding, The Gloucester Daily Times. Finalist, Carlene Peterson, The Tonawanda News.
Columnist: Winner, Dave Kitchell, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind. No finalists.
News Writer: Winner, Richard Gaines, The Gloucester Daily Times. Finalist, Rod Rose, The Lebanon, Ind., Reporter.
Sports Writer: Winner, Dan Guttenplan, The Gloucester Daily Times. Finalist Kevin Harris, The Evening News, Jeffersonville, Ind.
Feature Writer: Winner, Kelly Kazek, The News Courier, Athens, Ala. Finalist, Mary Wade Burnside, Times West Virginian.
Designer: Winner, Amy Huffman-Branham, The Tribune, New Albany, Ind. Finalist, Ted Sawyer, Times West Virginian.
Photographer: Winner, Chuck Branham, The Evening News, Jeffersonville. Finalist, Mike Dean, The Gloucester Daily Times.
Newsroom Utility Player: Winner, Adelia Ladson, The Moultrie, Ga., Observer. No finalists.
Division B (non-dailies)
Newspaper of the Year: Winner, The Sentinel-Echo, London, Ky. Finalist, Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, Ind.
Public Service: No winner or finalists.
Team Project: Winner, The Sentinel-Echo, for its high school basketball preview magazine. No finalists.
Editorial Writer: Winner, Michael R. Moser, Crossville, Tenn., Chronicle. Finalist, Debbie Blank, The Herald Tribune, Batesville, Ind.
Columnist: Winner, Tara Kaprowy, The Sentinel-Echo. Finalist, Michael R. Moser, Crossville Chronicle.
News Writer: Winner, Debbie Blank, The Herald Tribune, Batesville. Finalist, Tara Kaprowy, The Sentinel-Echo.
Sports Writer: Winner, Peter W. Zubaty, The Sentinel-Echo. No finalists.
Feature Writer: Winner, Tara Kaprowy, The Sentinel-Echo. Finalist, Brenda Holmes, Hendricks County Flyer.
Designer: Winner, Derek Micah Armstrong, The Sentinel-Echo. Finalist, Denis House, The Sentinel-Echo.
Photographer: Winner, Peter W. Zubaty, The Sentinel-Echo. Finalist, Denis House, The Sentinel-Echo.
Newsroom Utility Player: Winner, Danielle Pelkey, The North Jefferson News, Gardendale, Ala. Finalist, Stephanie Hartle, Allied News, Grove City, Pa.
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