The Michigan Press Association's annual "Newspaper of the Year" award is presented to the top newspaper in eight circulation classes based on total points accumulated for specific writing, photography and design awards. The Record-Eagle took 1,500 points in the "Class C" category for newspapers with circulations between 15,001 and 40,000.
Below you'll find the comprehensive list of the Record-Eagle's awards, complete with the judge's comments and links to the award-winning entries when possible.
Feature Story - 1st Place
Judge's comments: Comprehensive look at contemporary Northport, residents concerns, problems followed by history of town. Especially liked the section on schools, how students face uncertain future.
Read the story: Locals ponder the future of Northport by Vanessa McCray
Enterprise Reporting - 1st Place
Judge's comments: Tenacious, meticulous and bulletproof - and written compellingly. Now it's up to the Benzie County residents to demand accountability. Terrific investigative reporting in the face of intimidation.
Read the story: Benzie Sheriff under spotlight by Patrick Sullivan
Editorial Writing - 1st Place
Judge's comments: This writer has a comprehensive knowledge of the court system and is able to convey the details to his readers.
Read the editorials:
It's another black eye for court, legal system
Secrecy charade a true disservice
Detective's case raises concerns over conflicts
Local Columnist Garret Leiva - 1st Place
Garret writes a monthly column for the Grand Traverse Herald. All of his archived columns can be read at www.gtherald.com
Judge's comments: Engaging from the opening line. Clever twists of phrase. Finds humor in the everyday situation.
Read the columns:
Swing set assembly far from playful
Moving tale: Bubble wrap and boxes
New year but same old dog's life
Lifestyle Pages - 1st Place
Judge's comments: Generation why is an excellent idea to get teens engaged in issues and concerns. The two other feature stories were also eye-catching. Good mix of columns, home-garden, books etc.
See the pages:
Generation Why, April 6, 2004 (PDF)
Northern Living section, July 18, 2004 (not online)
Northern Living section, March 27, 2005 (not online)
Feature Picture - 1st Place
Judge's comments: The photo has a very nice composition.
See the photo:
Entertaining Evening By Josh Biggs
General Excellece - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: Best overall design. Consistent throughout in both packaging and writing. Sections tend to blend together.
Spot News Story - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: I was glad to see the story explain the road/lake layout and a past incident there as well as the tragic details of this accident. Descriptions of the girls, the recovery, the reaction of the guy that lives near the lake - all added to the story.
Read the story: 'Tragedy' claims four lives by Vanessa McCray and Ian Storey
Design - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: Crisp and airy look, courtesy of rag type and rules. Election front works.
Sorry, we're unable to put the design entries online.
Local Columnist Tom Carr - 2nd Place
Tom writes occasional columns for the Record-Eagle's "Northern Living" section, published every Sunday. All of his archived columns can be read at static.record-eagle.com/columns.htm
Judge's comments: A down-to-earth "guy next door" voice. Column reads like a chat with a neighbor.
Read the columns:
There's just something about a fire
High prices, doubts prompt bike commute
It was a ride, not music, that made me sick
Sports Writing - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: Blanket coverage of a rivalry, from the stands to the field to the locker-room.
Read the stories:
TC West beats TC Central to finish with 9-0 record by Dennis Chase
TC West wraps up Central for 9-0 season by James Cook
Sports Columnist Jeff Peek - 2nd Place
All of Jeff's occasional columns can be read at static.record-eagle.com/sports.htm
Judge's comments: Lively writing that wove current events and used colorful analogies to make interesting points. Columns do not just speak to the sports choir, but rather pull the reader who might not normally read this section. Stood apart from other entries in terms of creativity.
Read the columns:
There's finally something to cheer about (Tigers are 4-0)
Girls sports schedule shift won't be fair (not online)
Here's a little gift right from the Ryder Cup
Sports Coverage - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: A close second. Fantastic local art and good copy. Some local writing is far too long.
Sorry, we're unable to put the sports coverage entries online.
Sports Picture - 2nd Place
Judge's comments: Great moment for evening anchor.
See the photo:
Football Kick By Douglas Tesner
News Story - 3rd Place
Judge's comments: Follows the daily lives and dreams of migrant workers; nice imagery.
Read the stories:
Migrants look beyond farms by Patrick Sullivan
Work search turns sour for family by Tom Carr
Feature Story - 3rd Place
Judge's comments: Writing style reflects austerity of a nun's life. What an unusual choice today for a young woman - well told.
Read the story: Carmelite nun enters life in monastery by Tom Carr
Enterprise Reporting - 3rd Place
Judge's comments: Until this series, it's likely that few readers ever thought of anything other than cherries when thinking of this festival. Terrific watchdog reporting that, in a less-competitive year, could have won this category.
Read the stories:
Cherry festival pushing city for $50K break by Bill O'Brien
Cherry Festival turns to lobbying by Bill O'Brien & Brian McGillivary
Festival owes answers about money, lobbying (editorial)
City rebuffs Festival's request by Bill O'Brien (not online)
Alltel scales back Festival sponsorship by Bill O'Brien (not online)
Festival director rejects site deals by Brian McGillivary
Festival renters getting a bargain by Brian McGillivary
Officials approve festival contract by Bill O'Brien (not online)
Cherry Festival finished in the red by Bill O'Brien
News Picture - 3rd Place
Judge's comments: Nice moment. Good and tight.
See the photo:
Crying Sister By Lara Neel
Feature Picture - 3rd Place
Judge's comments: Very nice crop.
See the photo:
Turkey Standoff By Douglas Tesner
Feature Story - Honorable Mention
Judge's comments: What are the odds of this story? Would have liked more about his reaction to receiving the Bible, looking through the old pages.
Read the story: A Bible, long absent, finds its way across an ocean to a WWII veteran by Gina Goodman
Enterprise Reporting - Honorable Mention
Judge's comments: Solid watchdog efforts.
Read the stories:
Traverse City named a 'cool city' by Bill O'Brien
Cool cash will pay for new digs by Bill O'Brien
Proposal not 'Cool' after all by Bill O'Brien
'Cool' initiative stalled pending Plan B by Bill O'Brien
State firm on 'Cool' stance by Bill O'Brien
State decision effectively kills 'Cool' proposal by Bill O'Brien
Traverse City gives Cool Cities grant back by Bill O'Brien
Picture Story - Honorable Mention
Judge's comments: Some solid images.
Pictures from Douglas Tesner's "Call to Duty" photo essay were collected into an online photo gallery that you can view here.
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Beyonce Entertains the First Family
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges
Has Snooki Named Her Baby?
Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
