The Methow Valley News collected 41 “Better Newspaper Contest 2019” awards — including 18 first-place awards — for writing, photography, design, advertising design, special publications and website content at the recent Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) annual convention in Olympia.
The contest time period was for newspapers and special publications published from April 2018 through March 2019. Awards are presented in four groups according to their circulation. The Methow Valley News is in group 2 (circulation of 2,501 to 5,000). Judging this year was by members of the North Carolina Press Association. The News won 30 awards last year.
WNPA is a newspaper trade organization which represents about 100 community newspapers in Washington state.
The Methow Valley News winners are listed below (awards are for group 2 newspapers unless otherwise specified).
• LaShelle Easton: 3rd place, ad design, single advertiser (sale or event), smaller than half-page (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 3rd place, ad design, branding ad (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 1st place, ad design, use of small space (groups 1 and 2).
• LaShelle Easton: 2nd place, ad design, use of small space (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 1st place, ad design, use of clip art (all groups).
• LaShelle Easton: 1st place, ad design, newspaper house ad (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 2nd place, ad design, youth-oriented content (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 3rd place, ad design, youth-oriented content (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey: 1st place, ad design, advertising insert (all groups).
• MVN staff: 1st place, special sections, tourism, Methow Valley Summer (groups 1 and 2).
• MVN staff: 2nd place, special sections, tourism, Methow Valley Winter (groups 1 and 2).
• MVN staff: 1st place, special sections, lifestyle/culture, Methow Home (groups 1 and 2).
• MVN staff: 1st place, special sections, community guide, Methow Made (groups 1 and 2).
• Darla Hussey/Steve Mitchell: 1st place special sections cover, Methow Valley Summer (groups 1 and 2)
• Ann McCreary: 3rd place, environmental story, “Methow Valley takes a straw poll.”
• Ashley Ahearn: 2nd place, business news story, “A community loses its heart” (groups 1 and 2).
• Marcy Stamper: 2nd place, education story, “Men dominate leadership roles” (groups 1 and 2).
• Marcy Stamper: 1st place, government story, “Government shutdown.”
• Marcy Stamper: 2nd place, government story, “Citizen group.”
• Marcy Stamper: 1st place, election story, “Firmly in the middle” (groups 1 and 2).
• Marcy Stamper: 1st place, comprehensive coverage by a single writer, “Apple maggots” (groups 1 and 2).
• Marcy Stamper: 2nd place, general feature story/long, “New view of the river.”
• Ann McCreary: 2nd place, general feature story/short, “In-flight rescue.”
• Don Nelson: 1st place, sports feature, “Community rallies around family.”
• Marcy Stamper: 3rd place, sports feature, “Dynamic new year.”
• Ashley Ahearn: 1st place, sports personality profile, “Full speed ahead” (groups and 2).
• Don Nelson: 3rd place, sports personality profile, “Calling it” (groups 1 and 2).
• Don Nelson: 1st place, editorial, “Hiding in plain sight.”
• Don Nelson: 2nd place, editorial, “Withdrawal pains.”
• MVN staff: 1st place, editorial pages (all groups).
• Don Nelson: 3rd place, general interest column or blog, “No Bad Days” (groups 1 and 2).
• Don Nelson: 1st place, headline writing, “Pasta point of no return” (groups 1 and 2).
• Don Nelson: 2nd place, headline writing, “A flocking nuisance” (groups 1 and 2).
• Steve Mitchell: 2nd place, color portrait photography, “Throw-away performance.”
• Ann McCreary: 3rd place, color portrait photography, “Ponying up.”
• Marcy Stamper: 1st place, color pictorial photography, “While the sun shines.”
• Don Nelson: 2nd place, color pictorial photography, “Moonlighting.”
• Don Nelson, Marcy Stamper, LaShelle Easton: 2nd place, color photo essay, “Trick or treat.”
• Don Nelson: 1st place, color sports action photo, “Lady Lions aim to be Dragon slayers” (groups 1 and 2).
• LaShelle Easton, Darla Hussey: 3rd place, web site (all groups).
• Darla Hussey: 3rd place, online ad (all groups).
