Once again the staff of the Battlefords News-Optimist and Regional Optimisthave nominated in a number of categories for the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association’s Better Newspapers competition.
The papers have received 11 nominations in 10 categories, with the winners to be announced at the SWNA’s annual general meeting in Saskatoon April 23.
News of the News-Optimist'snominations in the categories of best front page and best overall in its class plus individual nominations for writing and photography was greeted with pride by the newsroom.
Editor Becky Doig said, "Each and every week we put our noses to the grindstone and churn out two more editions of our community newspapers. The fact that we truly enjoy what we do and are dedicated to portraying the life and times of the Battlefords and the region is reflected in these nominations."
Doig added, "These honours also reflect the scope and depth of the many community members who contribute to our newspapers."
There were also nominations for advertising products prepared by the graphic artists of the Regional Optimist.
"The skill of the individuals in our composition department can be seen each week in the crisp, attractive ads they create for our customers. Being nominated for these awards is a tribute to their creativity,” said publisher Alana Schweitzer.
“Every year I am so excited when our newspapers are nominated for the BNC awards. The staff works hard to make our newspapers and our customers’ advertisements the best they can be. I am so proud to work with such a great team.”
The nominations are as follow:
The Battlefords News-Optimistwas nominated in the Class B Best Front Page category. It is one of three newspapers in the province to receive a nomination in the category. The class is determined based on newspaper circulation.
The News-Optimistwas also nominated for Best Overall Paper in the same class.
The Battlefords Regional Optimist’sVicky Clayton and Cheryl Panton account for two of the three nominations in the category Best Series of Ads.
Former sports reporter Craig Beauchemin was nominated for Best Saskatchewan Recreational Story or Series of Stories for a first-person account of a Live in Colour run written for the News-Optimist. Beauchemin in now on air with the local radio station.
News reporter Jayne Foster received two nominations, one for Best Educational Coverage K-12 Series of Stories written for the Regional Optimistand a second nomination for Best Feature Story for an installment in the News-Optimist'sweekly Everybody Has a Story.
In photography, freelance photographer Averil Hall has been nominated in four categories. One of Hall's photos from Leoville’s Trailbreakers Amateur Rodeo is up for Best People Photo and for Best Feature Photo. It appeared on the front page of the Regional OptimistAug. 6, 2015. A second rodeo photo from the North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo has been nominated for Best Sports Photo, appearing on the front page of the News-OptimistAug. 11. A fourth nomination goes to Hall for another front page News-Optimist photo, that of a muskrat in its habitat, in the category of Best Wildlife Photo.
