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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Timberjay brings home eight awards in newspaper contest

Posted 2/2/22

REGIONAL— The Timberjay won eight awards across a wide range of categories in the annual Better Newspaper Contest held by the Minnesota Newspaper Association, taking first place awards in …

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Timberjay brings home eight awards in newspaper contest

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REGIONAL— The Timberjay won eight awards across a wide range of categories in the annual Better Newspaper Contest held by the Minnesota Newspaper Association, taking first place awards in Breaking News, Advertising Excellence, and Editorial Page as a Whole.
The newspaper also won second-place awards for typography and design, best columnist, arts and entertainment, and business news, along with a third-place award for general reporting. The Timberjay was competing among newspapers with a circulation between 1,500-3,000.
“As we have done for years, the Timberjay continues to excel across the board,” said Publisher Marshall Helmberger. “These awards are particularly meaningful because they are judged by fellow newspaper editors and publishers, who really understand the important role that newspapers play in their communities.”
Judges in the contest had high praise for the Timberjay. Ely Editor Keith Vandervort’s coverage of the cancellation of last summer’s Blueberry/Arts Festival won first place in the breaking news category. “Competing against a strong field, this entry stood out in both its timeliness and execution,” wrote the judges. “The reporter gave readers what they needed while weaving in excellent details. Good photos, too.”
Timberjay graphic artist Scarlet Stone also won praise for her ad design. “Great local ad support, good theme pages, and nicely laid-out pages with well done, creative ads!” wrote the judges in awarding first place for advertising excellence. “Especially liked the real estate page section.”
Timberjay editorials, once again, won the notice of the judges as they awarded the newspaper first place for editorial page as a whole. “The editorials really stand out on this entry,” wrote the judges. “Lots of top-notch views and opinions.”
Marshall Helmberger won second place for best columnist, writing on a wide range of topics. “Helmberger demonstrates versatility in columns on struggles with a home rehab project, his personal war with a woodchuck and how he introduced a relatively new colleague to ricing. The woodchuck column was a particularly fun read!”
Cook/Orr Editor David Colburn claimed a second-place award under arts and entertainment for his feature story, From Cook to Chicago with Love, about Trevor Nicholas.
“A really nice story with an appealing layout,” wrote the judges.
Marshall Helmberger’s report on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to change clean water rules to reduce the need for clean-up of mining discharges, won second place under business reporting. “An alarming story, one that needs to be told and talked about,” wrote the judges. Undeniably wonky- and for non-science readers will be a bit of a chew- but a critical story that needs to be told and acted upon.”