REGIONAL— The Timberjay took home some of the top awards in the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. Winners were announced Jan. 26 during the MNA’s annual convention.
The Timberjay took first place in General Excellence among weekly newspapers, circulation 1,501-3,000. That’s considered the top award in the contest, and it’s one that the Timberjay has won several times previously.
“We liked the editorial focus on important local and regional issues,” wrote the judges in their comments. “Good layout. Good coverage of local news, school, and sports. The best in a very good field.”
The Timberjay also took first place for Best Editorial Portfolio among weeklies circulation 1,501-7,000. It’s considered a special award that highlights the consistent strength of the newspaper’s staff written editorials and it’s another award category in which the Timberjay has been a regular winner.
Timberjay Cook-Orr Editor David Colburn took home a first-place award for Best Arts and Entertainment Story for his feature on North Woods senior artists and their astonishingly talented efforts at self-expression.
Colburn took second place for his in-depth look at criminal sentencing in the wake of the sentencing of two burglary suspects involved in the same crime and the radically different sentences the two men received.
“More reporting like this is needed in journalism,” wrote the judges on Colburn’s report. “Kudos for doing the extra dive into exploring the justice system.”
The Timberjay also took home a third-place award for its headline writing.
“Obviously, we’re very pleased for the recognition from our peers,” said Timberjay Publisher Marshall Helmberger. “The first place for General Excellence, in particular, reflects the quality work that our entire staff puts out week after week, from the front page to the classifieds.”