Award-winning community newspapers were honoured at a Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition banquet in Saskatoon Saturday, and among those earning accolades were the Battlefords News-Optimist, Battlefords Regional Optimist and Unity/Wilkie Press Herald.
The newspapers' staff came home with four first-place plaques and four certificates for their work in 2017.
“These eight awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented staff here in the Battlefords.
“It is an honour to be recognized,” said Publisher Gord Brewerton
Staff reporter Josh Greschner earned top honours in the Best Health/Healthcare Coverage (series of stories) for his coverage of the Cut Knife pharmacy story in August. Greschner also earned a third place certificate for his feature “The Loewens: Rodeo Family” in the Best Sports Story Category
Former reporter Shannon Kovalsky earned top marks in the sports category with the feature “Neal Grant: Coach and number one fan.” Kovalsky also topped the Best Educational Coverage K-12 (single story or feature) for Rhea Good: Teaching skills to live well. She earned a second place certificate in Best Tourism Story for her feature on Jane Shury.
Helena Long with the Press Herald took home a plaque for Best Sports Photo.
John Cairns was nominated in the Best News Story of the Year category for his coverage of last year’s reworking of the City of North Battleford budget following severe cutbacks in funding from the province. He was edged out of the top spot by a mere two points.
A full-page ad for B & D Meats that was published last July earned Vicky Clayton a second place certificate for Best Advertisement.
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