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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Awards

Members of North Carolina Press Association reviewed 2,776 entries submitted by 109 Michigan newspapers when they judged the 2012 Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. Judges’ decisions and comments are listed on the following pages. Complete results are available online at www.michiganpress.org.

The 2012 “Newspaper of the Year” award is presented to the top newspaper in eight circulation classes based on points accumulated (100 for first, 70 for second and 40 for third – points are doubled in the General Excellence contest) in all Editorial contest categories. Winners of those awards are listed below.

Daily Newspapers of the Year Weekly Newspapers of the Year Circulation Total Circulation Total Class Points Newspaper Class Points Newspaper

Class A 2060 Detroit Free Press Class A 850 The News-Herald Class B 2580 Lansing State Journal Class B 860 Tri-County Times Class C 3160 Traverse City Record-Eagle Class C 1000 Leelanau Enterprise Class D 500 Livingston County Daily Press & Argus Class D 1320 State Line Observer Circulation Class Breakdown: Daily Class A – 70,000 or more; Daily Class B – 30,000-69,999; Daily Class C – 15,000-29,999; Daily Class D – under 15,000; Weekly Class A – 25,000 or more; Weekly Class B – 10,000 – 24,999; Weekly Class C – 4,000-9,999; Weekly Class D – under 4,000. . The MPA Public Service Award recognizes a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper or newspaper individual that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of their community. The three finalists are: The Lansing State Journal for “Heavy Burden,” the Detroit Free Press for “Homeowners Forced Out While Seeking Relief” the Petoskey News-Review for “Charlevoix County FOIA fight with News-Review series” and the Grand Rapids Press for “No one here gets out alive.”

The MPA Rookie Writer Award recognizes exemplary efforts of new writers just breaking into journalism. The four finalists are: Blake Thorne of the Flint Journal; Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press; Laura Misjak of the Lansing State Journal and Amanda Ingraham of Munising News.

The winners of the 2012 MPA Public Service Award will be announced Friday, January 25, 2013 during the Legislative Lunch and the MPA Rookie Writer Award will be announced Saturday, January 26,2013 during the Awards Presentation of the Michigan Press Association Annual Convention at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids.

2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results General Excellence Daily A 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Kalamazoo Gazette This paper looks like every A clean, strong newspaper with single page is chock full of good design, good local content. strong design thinking, great use of excellent photos, good graphics, a strong blend of watchdog, community and entertainment news. Everything is labeled, easy to read, logical and yet with whimsy used in an intentional and effective way. Great. Daily B 1 ENTRY 1st Place Lansing State Journal Well‐designed paper with a flare for the dramatic that I appreciated. Local stories on fronts were well done and well illustrated; readers might appreciate more local content that goes deeper into the paper. Too bad there were no other entries; the LSJ would have done well against competition. Daily C 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald

The well‐planned and well‐ The Times Herald shows a executed 9/11 anniversary commendable commitment to edition was the clincher, but this local news throughout. Readers paper is strong in many areas ‐‐ must appreciate the effort. A exceptionally well designed and quibble: the cutout photos that readable, solid writing, good obscure the Page One "flag." opinion and sports sections. Daily D 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Grand Haven Tribune The Pioneer Livingston County Daily Press & Argus

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results General Excellence (cont.) Weekly A 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The County Press, Lapeer Manchester Enterprise Chelsea Standard Ile Camera Jeff Hogan Well, your onion page in the first paper I looked at may have won this for you guys. It's the first page I've seen in this entire category where anyone thought outside of the box and tried something different. That said, you really, really need to open your paper up and let your packages breathe. Don't try to cram too much onto a page and a little white space goes a long way. Remember to have dominant art on each page. It just gives the reader an hierarchy of what is important on the page. Too many pages included photos of the same size.

Weekly B 9 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Livonia Observer Northern Express Weekly South Oakland Eccentric Lansing City Pulse Karen Smith, Ken Abramczyk, Excellent layouts and usage of Sandra Armbruster, Steve DAMAGE REPORT, TEN YEARS OF Brad Emons, Bill Bresler color. Love the column logos Kowalski, John Stormzand, Greg FALLOUT FROM 9/11 Good usage of dominant photo. throughout. Good headlines and Mullin Excellent front pages, but the Clever headlines: Be like Mike, presentation: Who would not Good use of dominant photos. inside pages are a bit too gray. etc. Great mix of columns and read a story about a hammer Good promos at the top of A1. Would have ranked higher if jam‐packed with local news. death? Clearly this publication Good headlines like the Sweet! the issues had had more local Nice photo pages, like the Girl is interested in real journalism; Lemonade. Interesting biz news. Very good vehicle for Scouts page. Excellent use of lots of stories on controversies profiles. And great usage of news about events. color pages throughout. Sports and funding issues. headline: Companies hiring this pages sometimes a bit too gray. month. Nice "what do you think" boxes. Weekly C 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Gaylord Herald Times Leelanau Enterprise The Exponent Oceana's Herald‐Journal Ultimate sacrifice; Aerospace in Nice clean layout with good Clean design and strong news Andrew Skinner, John Cavanagh Otsego County?; Fatal police use of graphics and photos. content. Good use of photos and shooting protest Design flows from page to strong opinion pages. Nice An excellent paper overall. Nice page. Strong editorial pages feature pages in this clean layout throughout. Hard‐ and letters that show this newspaper. Another strong hitting news and strong editorial paper has readers involved. community newspaper. content. Good use of photos and Ads are varied and attractive. section fronts, entertaining Again, a beautiful product for articles and columns. Paper is readers and advertisers to arranged very well. I bet readers enjoy. and advertisers love this paper. Community journalism at its best. Nice job. 3

2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results General Excellence (cont.) Weekly D 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Charlevoix Courier State Line Observer Allegan County News The Commercial Record Steve Zucker, Wendy Wolfsen This paper isn't far from first Again, another excellent The transition to broadsheet place at all, because of its community newspaper. This is a did improve this already strong community news and tough category to judge excellent community editorial content. Nice clean because the competition is newspaper. Very strong on layout with great use of white outstanding. The County News community news, bold photos space and photos. Another staff is very, very strong on and headlines, strong news of excellent writers that covers community news and is a very fronts, great use of color and the community and packages readable paper with good use layout. All around clean design stories with information of color, bold headlines and an with well‐written stories. readers need to know. An orderly design that readers and Overall, a delightful read. Well overall excellent job. advertisers should love. Nice done! job! Spot News Story Daily A 17 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Grand Rapids Press Detroit Free Press Flint Journal A DAY OF HORROR GM, UAW REACH DEAL STATE TAKEOVER ECLIPSES ELECTION I can appreciate the team effort Greg Gardner, Brent Snavely, Kristin Longley , Ron Fonger that went into delivering this Chrissie Thompson and the Free Really nice job reporting this comprehensive package to Press Autos Team story. readers. Each story was a must‐ Outstanding coverage of a late‐ read, from the main story to the breaking story. The expertise of neighborhood reaction to the this staff shines in the coverage profile of Dantzler. The both days. The first day story historical look at previous lets people know about the deal, multiple murders and a what happens next and has the timeline of how things unfolded background that puts it into were outstanding. Nice job of context. The second day stories reporting, writing and editing. do a great job of explaining the details of the contract. Nice reaction from workers as well. Great planning and reporting beforehand. Super hustle by a reporting team that writes with authority. Daily B 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal MAN, 38, CHARGED IN DELTA TWP. PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY? DEWITT LIBYAN STUDENTS REJOICE AT NEWS HOMICIDES COUPLE SUES BIRTHING CENTER IN Matthew Miller Kevin Grasha, Lindsay VanHulle NEGLIGENCE CASE Nice job of showing how this This is the kind of story that Louise Knott Ahern issue hit home for some people makes people say, "How did this Nice job telling readers about in the community. happen?'' This report helps this proposed legislation answer that while also raising through the Snyders. Their more questions. Nice watchdog story helps bring this issue reporting. home for readers. A well written and reported story.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Spot News Story (cont.) Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald BODY FOUND STUNNING TWIST IN FRANKFORT BLAZE TRAGIC MORNING Alex Piazza Art Bukowski, James Russell Good hustle on this story, from Outstanding job by the TCRE Nice job of following the twists details of the wreck, to news staff. Their hustle and contacts and turns in this fatal house fire about the victims, and including with law enforcement to tell that turned into a possible background on a previous this late‐breaking story paid off murder‐suicide. Good job of attack that affected this big for the community. They pushing sources for information community. covered a lot of ground, from and profiling the victims. the apparent discovery of Carly Jean Lewis' body, to the confession by the suspect, to the relationship between the missing girl and the suspect. Good job! The sidebar on Carly's last day reminds people about the case. Daily D 35 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Grand Haven Tribune The Pioneer Petoskey News‐Review Daily Telegram CLINGING TO LIFE PIERCE FIRED SNOW MY GOSH! FIRE RAVAGES APARTMENTS Cheryl Welch, Becky Vargo, Nate Martin Slagter, Bob Allan Rachel Brougham, Ryan Bentley, Erik Gable, David Panian Thompson, Matt DeYoung It was difficult picking a winner Sheri McWhirter, Heather Good reporting at the scene of The staff at the GHT did a in this category. The Pioneer Lockwood this fire, and well‐written. remarkable job reporting this sports team did a fantastic job The reporters at the News‐ crash that severely injured 5 reporting the late‐in‐the‐day Review did a good job covering teenagers. It is spot news at its firing of a head football coach. this massive snowstorm for finest ‐‐ not only reported with The reporter goes far beyond their readers, hitting it from gripping detail from every the statement from athletic every angle (and with nice angle on tight deadline, but officials (and doesn't even get photos and design, too). written powerfully to capture to talk to the coach) to get the community's shock and reaction from players and emotion without resorting to colleagues, a full report on the sensationalism. The reporters coach's career and plenty of did a commendable job going context. The story is very well‐ beyond the basics from written, and well‐played in authorities, proving that print. Great job. awesome storytelling is possible even under the most difficult circumstances. Well done!

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Spot News Story (cont.) Weekly A 16 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Dexter Leader The County Press, Lapeer Press & Guide Newspapers The News‐Herald REBOUNDING: DEXTER UNITES LAPEER MAN STRUCK, KILLED BY WIND CAUSES FIRES, POWER LOSS MORE THAN 100 PROTEST COUPLE'S AFTER TORNADO STRIKE; DUMC FREIGHT TRAIN Julie Walker Altesleben, J. FORECLOSURE LOOKS TO 'BE A LIGHT' TO Phil Foley Patrick Pepper Alan Burdziak COMMUNITY; RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OFFERS TEMPORARY HOUSING; PARENTS, CHILDREN RECONNECT AT WYLIE POOL; BUSINESSES LEND A HAND IN TORNADO'S AFTERMATH; TREE DAMAGE NOT COVERED Sean Dalton, Erica McClain, David Veselenak, Amy Bell, Krista Gjestland, Ben Baird, James David Dickson, Michelle Rogers

Weekly B 16 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place South Oakland Eccentric Farmington Observer Tri‐County Times DAUGHTERS SEEK HELP, HUNDREDS HILLS MAN SENTENCED IN FATAL HIT‐ FENTON TEACHERS PROTEST $2.8 ATTEND MEMORIAL, CITY STAFF AND‐RUN MILLION IN CUTS GRIEVES, POLICE: NO LEADS, QUIET Stacy Jenkins William Axford STREET WHERE GALE LIVED After reading this report, you Good, comprehensive report. Sandra Armbruster, Steve can feel the emotion and Nice balanced reporting. Kowalski, John Stormzand disappointment that Diane These reporters did a nice job in Goetz felt when sentencing was this comprehensive package imposed on Michael Kramer. about the death of Helen Gale. Nice job of telling what some Readers get a sense of who this may have seen as a routine woman was and the impact she sentencing hearing in a way had on the community. They that puts the reader in the covered a lot of ground in a way courtroom. that was not overwhelming to the reader.

Weekly C 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leelanau Enterprise The Tri‐City Times Houghton Lake Resorter & Gratiot County Herald STORM CENTER HEROIC ACTIONS SAVE GIRL'S LIFE Roscommon County Herald‐ LARRY'S HARDWARE IN ITHACA CLOSES Great work dealing with a Catherine Minolli News ITS DOORS storm that clearly caused a Very cool story, these boys are BIG BUST Greg Nelson hurricane's worth of damage! definitely heroes! Krista Tacey‐Cater Nice work ‐‐ it'll be interesting Wild stuff ‐‐ great pictures! to see if Larry's is able to reopen after the legal matter is resolved, or if they must close for good.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Spot News Story (cont.) Weekly D 14 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leader and Kalkaskian The Advance The Advance The Boyne City Gazette IN LIKE A LION DRIVER SWIMS TO SAFETY ON FLOODED HOT, DRY WEATHER STRESS AREA EDGY FLOAT FUN A FAMILY TRADITION Bryce Martin CARROLL ROAD; RESCUE CORN; CORN Benjamin J. Gohs Melissa Burnor, James James McClenathen McClenathen News Enterprise Reporting Daily A 30 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Grand Rapids Press TRUST AND NEGLECT HOMEOWNERS FORCED OUT WHILE LIVING WITH MURDER: THE AGONY OF LAW & DISORDER Robin Erb, Kristi Tanner, Moses SEEKING RELIEF: FANNIE MAE DETROIT'S NEIGHBORHOODS AND John Barnes, John Agar, Blake Harris, David Pierce, John Sly, PRESSURES BANKS TO FORECLOSE, THEIR CRY FOR HELP Thorne, Aaron Aupperlee, Rex Andre Jackson, Eric Seals, CONTRARY TO ITS PROMISES TO KEEP Suzette Hackney, Romain Hall Jr. Kathleen Galligan, Patricia Beck FAMILIES IN HOMES, PRESERVE Blanquart, Kathy Kieliszewski, Tells a story with exhaustive Exhaustive, important study NEIGHBORHOODS Kristi Tanner, Kofi Myler, Eric research and, more that makes a difference in the Jennifer Dixon, Regina H. Boone, Millikin, John Sly and Staff importantly, fires a warning lives of readers. Phenomenal Susan Tusa, Kofi Myler, David Powerful storytelling that shot through the community. package of story across Pierce, Moses Harris, Patricia posits positive change in the Excellent use of FOIA. Well‐ multiple platforms. A graphical Besh communities served by the formed graphics. “wow" in terms of storytelling. Well‐done study from every newspaper. Excellent use of angle. Provides help for research and multiple homeowners while telling well‐ storytelling platforms. Strong informed, important and timely graphics. stories. Stunning graphics help tell the story. Daily B 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal SUICIDES DERRINESHA CLAY SHOOTING WALLED LAKE WESTERN HAZING ROAD BACK FROM RECESSION: A TALE Monica Drake Kevin Grasha SCANDAL OF TWO ECONOMIES This is a great example of a This was a great piece of work. Dave Phillips, Keith Dunlap, Lindsay VanHulle reporter who wouldn't give up. The writer did an excellent job Jason Schmitt This is a great piece of work In a community with a young looking beyond the paperwork This entry shows what happens with a lot of detail on data and person suicide rate as great as and really looking for the heart when a reporter is tenacious. solid first‐person accounts. The this, this topic deserved the and truth of this story. Great Few people want to talk when writer did a great job of turning research and attention it got. job. something goes wrong with a topic into stories with interest The writer not only did a great kids and athletics. This reporter for a diverse readership. job talking statistics and did a great job tracking down providing resources and insight, rumors and turning them into but also did an excellent job solid facts for a story. telling the story of the people who died and those who knew and loved them.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results News Enterprise Reporting (cont.) Daily C 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald EX‐COACH, TEACHER CHARGED CITY FOR RENT CARLY LEWIS COLLISION AT THE CORNER OF KRAFFT Art Bukowski, James Russell, Liz Shepard, Michael Eckert Alex Piazza, Art Bukowski, James AND MAYHEM Vanessa McCray Russell Bob Gross What I liked about this package was the mix of breaking news and analysis. You were clearly in front of the story, asking tough questions and getting answers. Good job. Daily D 42 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Petoskey News‐Review Huron Daily Tribune The Argus‐Press The Mining Journal CHARLEVOIX COUNTY FOIA LAWSUIT FOLLOW THE MONEY, MSP CLOSES SAFETY CONCERNS DIVIDE CORUNNA‐ BATH SALTS: (FIVE PART SERIES) SERIES INVESTIGATION, FINDS NO CRIMINAL CALEDONIA FIRE Kyle Whitney Sheri McWhirter WRONGDOING, STATE REP'S ACTIONS Curtis Wildfong The MJ submitted several Thank goodness Michigan has QUESTIONED, SHERIFF WANTS It was no doubt a tough job to excellent entries in this newspapers like the PNR that DAMROW CHARGED FOR FILING FALSE apply 20‐20 hindsight to the category, many of them multi‐ are willing to put their POLICE REPORT, LAWSUIT fire department's actions, but part series that show the resources on the line when FORTHCOMING, LOCAL REPUBLICANS this in‐depth analysis shows the newspaper's dedication to government attempts to hide OUST DAMROW FROM HURON critical role newspapers serve providing readers valuable their actions from the public. COUNTY GOP, DAMROW DENIES in dissecting an issue. information on pertinent issues The dogged coverage and Stacy Langley‐Hagen, Kate Examining the safety record facing the community. This lawsuit filed by the paper shows Hessling and policies of the fire particular series shines the important role that print The HDT exposed the brash department and wading past journalism plays in standing up attitude of an elected official the political fray will hopefully for the public's right to know, and his attempts to wield his provide an eye‐opening and despite government leaders political power in improper potentially life‐saving attempts to drag the ways. It is no doubt the reflection. newspaper's name through the newspaper's role in sticking mud. Well done! with this story and uncovering the truth behind what otherwise could have been brushed aside as a he‐said, she‐ said story resulted in this official having his feet held to the fire.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results News Enterprise Reporting (cont.) Weekly A 30 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place The News‐Herald Saline Reporter Saline Reporter ANALYSIS OF RIGHT‐TO‐WORK A LOOK INSIDE OUR DOWNTOWNS; REMEMBERING 9/11 Craig Farrand DOWNTOWNS LOOKING TO FILL James David Dickson, Gerald Impressive effort at trying to VACANCIES; PRESERVING THE LaVaute, David Veselenak, Amy explain the "right‐to‐work" CHARACTER OF DOWNTOWN Bell, Donna Iadipaolo issue and answer the questions David Veselenak, Krista Thorough package on that come along with it. Gjestland, Joe Gray, Erica anniversary of 9/11, with Challenging topic, successfully McClain, Amy Bell several angles and perspectives tackled, with thorough Comprehensive look at two presented, led by an analysis of reporting from a number of areas' efforts to revitalize their local institutions and what they different perspectives. downtown districts amid the have done in light of the threat down economy. Well done. that remains ten years later. Weekly B 25 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Tri‐County Times Farmington Observer Grosse Pointe News South Haven Tribune LIBYA REPORTING SUICIDE CALLED THE 'GORILLA IN THE CLUB CLAIMS $1 MILLION A CURE OR A CRIME? Tim Jagielo ROOM' OVERCHARGE; TOLLING AGREEMENT Kim Ingalls, Becky Burkert Detailed reporting that gave a Stacy Jenkins OBTAINED; WATER DISPUTE MUDDY; Good research. Well presented. glimpse into the issues facing a Great research into a taboo AWASH IN RUMORS; COUNCIL CLUED Good job representing many country unfamiliar to many. topic. Good use of numbers and IN; RECALL EFFORT LEADER: VOTERS different faces of the issue. Going to Libya to report took wide variety of subject. Great KEPT IN DARK; MANAGER UNDER FIRE; courage and brought insight job! VICK OUT IN SHORES that wouldn't have been Brad Lindberg accomplished through Great use of public documents interviews back home. to draw out a contested situation. Good dogged reporting to convince city officials to talk. Way to keep the city honest! Weekly C 23 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Gaylord Herald Times The Exponent Leelanau Enterprise Leelanau Enterprise COMING HOME; MARINE KILLED WHILE FIRE CHIEF HELPS THWART ARSON PENSION SYSTEM EATS AWAY COUNTY SCHOOLS IN TRANSITION SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN; SGT. DAVID Jeff Steers FINANCES. Amy Hubbell, Alan Campbell, DAY FUNERAL SET; MILITARY ESCORT Alan Campbell Eric Carlson, Chris Olson FOR DAY; ULTIMATE SACRIFICE Chris Engle, Michael Jones, Jeremy Speer, Cathy Landry, Frank Michels

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results News Enterprise Reporting (cont.) Weekly D 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Leader and Kalkaskian The Advance Cass City Chronicle MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN BLISSFIELD FIRE DEPT., TOWNSHIP KABOOM! Heidi Berden , Bryce Martin DISAGREE ON FIRE TRUCK Thomas Montgomery Outstanding series taking a PURCHASE/TRUCK; TOWNSHIP Nice exploration of a finger‐ balanced look at a DEBATES FIRE TRUCK/BLISSFIELD; pointing story between public controversial issue from a BLISSFIELD TWP. OKS AERIAL TRUCK officials. range of perspectives. Great PURCHASE/ FIRE TRUCK; PURCHASE reads all the way through. EXPLAINED/BLISSFIELD; FIRE TRUCK PURCHASE QUESTIONED/FIRE TRUCK; ADDED‐ON AUTHOR Melissa Burnor Combination of issue and event coverage as story developed. Nice job sticking with the story. Clear compelling storytelling.

Design Daily A 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Some might prefer less variety Balanced, consistent, strong in the use of type styles, but it design. definitely makes each page stand out and make a strong statement with bold design well‐suited to the tone, news value and content. Fantastic Osama bin Laden front page. Daily B 1 ENTRY 1st Place Lansing State Journal This is a beautiful newspaper with clean, crisp layouts. The front pages are most attractive to the eye and the reader is easily drawn into the page. The use of photographs throughout is well done. Congratulations to the editors ‐‐ this is an attractive newspaper to read.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Design (cont.) Daily C 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald Brian Steele, Dan Nielson, Excellent work, cut‐outs are Brenda Coglianese, Andy Taylor, great. Newspaper goes to the Kate Milewski, Chris edge of magazine look in Dobrowolski, Christie Succop presentation. Clean pages, and reader's eye is captured but not distracted. It's the kind of presentation a reader can appreciate for artistry and ease to maneuver. Daily D 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Sturgis Journal Morning Sun Midland Daily News Petoskey News‐Review Sturgis Newsroom, Corky Brilliant use of space, fonts. Jack Telfer EXCELLENT use of Myriad Pro Emrick, Candi Phelps, Dennis Advertising doesn't fight Stunning, consistent design. throughout. Really like this Volkert, Brandon Watson, editorial; a great balance. Nice use of space. Nothing publication...a lot. News doesn't Rosalie Currier, Terry Katz Engaging visually. Well done, cluttered. Translates as honest fight with the advertising, LOVE THIS newspaper! Not folks. and trustworthy. Excellent either. Wish I could subscribe! :) cluttered, well organized work! layout. White space! It breathes! Ads don't fight with editorial. One of the best I've seen in the contest, if not THE best. Actually, it IS the best. First place, hands down. Weekly A 8 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The County Press, Lapeer The News‐Herald Chelsea Standard Burton View Jeff Hogan Erica McClain, Joe Gray, Carrie Gary Gould Kennedy Weekly B 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Tri‐County Times Grosse Pointe News Westland Observer Northern Express Weekly Jennifer Ward FARMS BOOSTS FUNDS; DIA PAINTS Greg Mullin GIFT GUIDE THE TOWN; NEIGHBORS LEERY OF Colleen Zanotti, Kyra Cross and REZONING staff Weekly C 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Tecumseh Herald Leelanau Enterprise Houghton Lake Resorter & Oceana's Herald‐Journal Roscommon County Herald‐ News Eric Hamp, Krista Tacey‐Cater Andrew Skinner, John Cavanagh

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Design (cont.) Weekly D 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention State Line Observer The Commercial Record Charlevoix Courier The Boyne City Gazette Clear winner in this category. Scott Sullivan Steve Zucker, Wendy Wolfsen Benjamin J. Gohs The SLO has a very clean and Great use of photos throughout Another paper that is strong in consistent page layout that this paper, and a good, clean design. Good use of photos. Very makes great use of white space design. News stories are readable. to ease the eye. Photos help presented well and pages are anchor the pages and are consistently balanced with displayed very well. Headlines strong artwork and headlines. help draw in the reader. Designers of this paper do an excellent job. Feature Story Daily A 18 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Flint Journal Flint Journal Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press TOY SOLDIER OUT OF TENT CITY SUICIDE OR THE PERFECT MURDER? HERE COME THE BRIDES Blake Thorne Khalil AlHajal Joe Swickard Patricia Montemurri This is a deceptively well‐done Again, simplicity works. A A good yarn, strong reporting Sweet, well‐told story. story that features the "unusual touching small chapter in the to tell as much as can be told literary excellence" and life of a group of homeless men, about an inconclusive story. It "originality" that the category presented clearly, with no does a good job of veering from judges. From its simple lead, it sentimentality. straight chronology without gives clean, careful description getting confusing but allowing that makes a scene probably the story to skip over some viewed by many readers come parts of the characters' lives for alive, just as a toy soldier comes the sake of keeping the alive in a child's dream or "The narrative going. Nutcracker." And its short, but contains so much in just a few sentences, even noting how some people yell at Goodrich to get a life, or say "hard job." Wonderful work. Daily B 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press The Oakland Press GENERATION F: WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONTROVERSIAL CONNECTION: AFTER SON'S RESEARCH HELPS IDENTIFY WHO TWEETS? ADDRESS CHILDHOOD OBESITY? MSU, ALUM WENT ON TO BECOME MOTHER'S BODY Charles Crumm Louise Knott Ahern KNOWN AS THE 'ENVOY OF DEATH' IN Dave Phillips Very topical and timely story The reporter did a fine job of LIBYA Unsolved with entertaining examples of combining solid research, Matthew Miller murder/mysterious should how politicians use tweets, the compelling interviews in a well Very nice job of painting a make for a great read and power of the short message organized and well written package portrait of someone without this did not disappoint. The today and historically. Good job. on an major issue in the community the advantage of interviewing son's tenacity came through. and the nation. Clearly there was a the subject directly. Very good lot of work behind the stories. sourcing and research on fascinating individual. I wanted more.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Feature Story (cont.) Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle A NUN'S LIFE TRAVERSE CORRIDOR: A PREHISTORIC LIVING WITH AUTISM Vanessa McCray CROSSROADS Marta Hepler Drahos The reporter has a nice writing Loraine Anderson This was more news enterprise style and a great eye for details Reporter blended the than feature. Reporter's that conveyed the subject's personality of the research was very solid and she personality. I applaud the anthropologist with research to did a good job putting a face on effort to interview more than create an interesting and the issue. just the subject to add some informative story. depth and context. Daily D 47 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Huron Daily Tribune The Mining Journal Midland Daily News The Mining Journal BREAKING PAST GRIEF TO HELP OTHERS IN MEMORY OF RALPH: STRAY SLED REMEMBERING GOAT HILL: PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR Kate Hessling DOG WINS HEARTS, HOME IN GRAND REFLECTIONS FROM A FORGOTTEN Jackie Stark Very well done with a story that MARAIS MIDLAND NEIGHBORHOOD Good story about a Pearl is the nightmare of all parents' Renee Prusi Ralph E. Wirtz Harbor survivor that never gets nightmares. Great quotes from Good lead, nice recount of a A lot of research went into old since only a few of those Mary, the mother. Wonder why touching story, not too maudlin. these stories but it's hard to WWII vets remain. The writer there were no quotes from the I would have liked more capture the essence of an area lets Kline basically tell the story father? Almost too much from support for the claim that that ceased to exist 50 years from an enlisted Navy man's the book but it worked okay. everyone in Grand Marais knew ago; it's not a topic that would perspective. Most vets don't like Well organized moving from Ralph and cared about him for appeal to people without a to talk about their war the shock of death to current the intervening years between historical bent. At times it was experiences so the reporter did feelings, then to the book for his arrival and adoption. It's a hard to follow all the different a good job getting Kline to explanation and ending with an good way to highlight the race, people being quoted. The recall his memories. emotional zinger. Great which could have used a little sidebars helped a bit in this interviewing to get this all out. more explanation. respect and added greater Clearly the best entry. dimension to the story. Weekly A 26 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The News‐Herald Press & Guide Newspapers Milan News‐Leader The News‐Herald "Whatever happened to the 10 Veteran part of team sent to The people you meet at the Best and bravest Foucher children?" rescue Fitzgerald crew marijuana dispensary Craig Farrand Katie Hetrick James David Dickson Andrea Blum This is a compelling story and Very good use of details to put The reporter took you inside a This is one case in which I the reporter did an excellent job the reader on the ship with the medical marijuana "store'' and wanted another third place to weaving the individual siblings' subject. She obviously really put a face ‐‐ multiple award. The reporter really stories together into a conducted a good interview to ones ‐‐ on the issue. Solid captures the relationship of the narrative. I actually would have draw out her subject on an reporting and crisp writing. Vietnam War victim's daughter wanted more detail about the event that happened more than and her father's war buddy. other family members. three decades prior. Great story.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Feature Story (cont.) Weekly B 36 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention South Oakland Eccentric Garden City Observer Birmingham Eccentric Northern Express Weekly A HOUSE DIVIDED 'HE'S WITH GOD' FAMILY PLANS A LIFE TOO SHORT: PARENTS NOTHING FOR GRANTED Steve Kowalski MEMORIAL TO HONOR MISSING SON CHRONICLE THEIR CHILD'S TRAGIC Erin Crowell What a cool story. In the hands Sue Mason STRUGGLE This story was moving in parts. of most reporters, this would Really strong writing and Jay M. Grossman But it was overwritten. Less is have been treated as your reporting. Excellent use of Strong reporting and writing more. There were too many standard, inverted‐pyramid detail. Very readable. This is made this a moving story. The quotes, both from sources and look at a ballot initiative. quite a talented reporter. reporter did an excellent job from famous people. Instead, the reporter did Editing could have been better, getting the family to share something unconventional, though. details about such a painful examining how one family is subject. This story could have split on the proposal and why. used some better editing, Kudos to the reporter for the though. Lines like "she was idea. The writing and reporting crying as if she was pain" and are strong, too. I enjoyed "Possibly it was colic or some reading this. time of protein allergy" hurt the I'm going to see if I can take story. this idea back to my own newsroom. Weekly C 22 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Tri‐City Times The Exponent Gaylord Herald Times Leelanau Enterprise TROUBLES NOT YET DONE, THANKFULLY FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT CYBER BULLYING 'GETTING WORSE' AT THE FISHER BROTHERS Catherine Minolli Jeff Steers LOCAL SCHOOLS Alan Campbell Great job of helping the reader Just nudged out ... great effort Michael Jones Great story. find the silver lining in this dark and a great story about one A story that more newspapers cloud ... I'll bet Troubles would tough young lady need to tell because this is so have hugged Richard if he could widespread. ... and I'm sure Richard did! Weekly D 29 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention State Line Observer Allegan County News The Union Enterprise Allegan County News GOOD THINGS FROM THE VINEYARD SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT: CONFERENCE MILL ARTIFACT RETURNED TO FATHER DON TO RETIRE FROM ST. David Green FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WARNS OF ABUSE PLAINWELL MARGARET CATHOLIC CHURCH Tim Keith Dan Pepper Tim Keith Editorial Writing Daily A 8 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press JUST BUILD IT THE AUTHORITY TO MOVE AHEAD; THE BIG DEAD AGAIN? LAKE ERIE'S DECLINE This series of editorials hits all STALL; JUST COME CLEAN ABOUT YOUR MUST BE SEEN AS CALL TO ACTION; the important economic, ethical AGE, MAYOR FOUTS HEY OHIO and community issues Jeff Gerritt Barbara Arrigo surrounding this bridge, calling Although this entry contains one of The writing is so simple and for action in no‐doubt‐what‐ the pieces in the winning entry, Jeff clear that this does a great we‐mean language. Gerritt offers two strong editorials service to the readers. with specific recommendations.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Editorial Writing Daily B 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press INEPT LANSING BOARD IMPERILS LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM, KEVORKIAN DISTRICT LEFT HIS MARK; OVERLAPPING Elaine Kulhanek ELECTION SEASONS ARE CONFUSING; In her three editorials, CONGRESSIONAL REMAP SHOULD GO Kulhanek does a great job TO COURT outlining community issues in a Charles Crumm concise manner (some of which have been lengthy and ongoing) and effectively promotes a suggested change. The writer doesn't back down from calling out those whose behaviors are potentially negative to the community. This is an editorial voice that deserves to be listened to. Daily C 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Mike Tyree David Miller Loraine Anderson Strong stances, well‐written, A close second. Very strong Good use of examples and clearly communicated. Gutsy. pieces, adequately supported. supporting information. Daily D 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Greenville Daily News Daily Telegram Livingston County Daily Greenville Daily News OUR VIEW | RYAN JELTEMA Editorial Board Press & Argus OUR VIEW | ELISABETH WALDON Ryan Jeltema This entry stood out for the Howell e‐mail decision sends Elisabeth Waldon Close race between first and tough issues it tackled. wrong message; Questions second; both had two strong linger months after dispensary editorials and one less strong. raid; Brighton teachers should This won out on the strength of take lesson from Dearborn the writing ‐‐ concise with a Mike Malott little edge. The dispensary editorial and the e‐mail editorial raised important issues. The background threatened to get in the way of the opinion. Weekly A 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place The News‐Herald The County Press, Lapeer Clear analysis of issues with Jeff Hogan local and regional importance. Decent writing and discussion, though less effort to lead public opinion.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Editorial Writing (cont.) Weekly B 9 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Plymouth Observer Birmingham Eccentric Oxford Leader END THE BICKERING; SUNDAY SNUB; NIGHT FIGHTS: GET TOUGH ON C.J. Carnacchio UNVEIL THE PLAN BRAWLERS; ENOUGH: RECALL FAILURE Brad Kadrich SHOWS SUPPORT FOR BOARD; NO DETOUR: MAPLE ROAD PLAN SCRUBBED RIGHTLY Greg Kowalski Weekly C 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Houghton Lake Resorter & The Tri‐City Times Gaylord Herald Times Roscommon County Herald‐ CUTTING MORE THAN RECYCLING; Jeremy Speer, Cathy Landry, News CAPAC WOULD RATHER SIT ON Frank Michels, Chris Engle, Tom Hamp SIDELINES; VALUING ACCESS TO Michael Jones It's not easy to be the watchdog, INFORMATION but it's important. Keep up the Maria Brown good work, and keep telling your readers what is going on. Weekly D 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Boyne City Gazette State Line Observer Allegan County News The Advance Christopher J. Faulknor David Green Out of the Basement Office Early detection still important; Clear writing with a viewpoint. Clear opinions on community Ryan Lewis People need opportunity to ask Wide variety of subject matter matters. A good mix of Easy to read opinions that hard question; Open for and to tackled. Would like to see more criticism and praise. raised some legitimate business localized opinions, too. questions. Watch for spelling Marcia Loader mistakes, and be careful not to Nice personable writing style. turn the column into a run Would like to see less focus on down of community events. upcoming community events and meeting notes.

Editorial Pages Daily A 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Grand Rapids Press Strong, coherent section that Clark Hughes KEEPING OUR HEADS ABOUT HELMETS; blends the news and opinion in Strong editorial writing, good TENURE LAW OFFERS CHANCE ...; clear language and strong use of both print letters and the DEVASTATED FAMILIES ARE NOT design. The Needle, revved, web to get reader voices in. FORGOTTEN idling and stalled snippets Creative use of editorial Todd Fettig, Ed Golder, GRP written with flair, adds a nice comment inserted after Editorial Board little touch. paragraphs of a news story, Another strong editorial page, though that could be a little good use of guest columnists. stilted to make work in some stories. But innovation is always worth a try.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Editorial Pages (cont.) Daily B 1 ENTRY 1st Place Lansing State Journal There are a lot of great components on these editorial pages. "Our point is..." is a great quick draw for editorial readership. Solid cartoons and columns, good reader interaction with letters, and a clear outline of expectations for readers to get their letters published. Clearly a lot of work goes into these pages, as they should in all newspapers. Daily C 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald David Miller Editorials informative but could Solid editorials, strong writing make some stronger stands. throughout. The one‐two Good mix of content, but entry punch of the infant deaths/teen unfortunately plagued with font pregnancies pieces was superb. issues and at least one editing Attractive appearance, good error in an editorial. use of graph and graphics, and healthy mix of columns and viewpoints.

Daily D 8 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Ludington Daily News The Argus‐Press Daily Telegram OPINION Just a step out of first ... really Editorial Board Steve Begnoche enjoyed the presentation of Nice effort Overall, a really nice thoughts on 9/11. presentation that is easy to follow and, I would guess, is well‐read. Weekly A 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Saline Reporter The County Press, Lapeer The Editorial page here is Jeff Hogan presented well, includes some Readers clearly have a way to engagement for readers even if communicate with the 'Sound' they don't write in. The feature. The presentation is newspaper's opinion is excellent. important, and the reader can see that.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Editorial Pages (cont.) Weekly B 8 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Grosse Pointe News Livonia Observer Birmingham Eccentric Milford Times CONGRATS Karen Smith OPINION Philip Allmen Joe Warner, Diane Morelli Nice clean layout. A man on the Greg Kowalski Nice layout. Man on the street is Solid opinions pages with good street is a good way to get more Good layout and use of photos good to bring more reader diversity of opinions. The reader insight, as is using online to break out the page. voices. Try for more diversity in editorial cartoon and man on comments. Good strong Editorials were well written. respondents. the street broke up the gray editorials. Nice variety in reader pages. Using kids for the man submitted opinions. on the street was a nice way to make what can be a very serious page a little light hearted. Weekly C 5 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Houghton Lake Resorter & Leelanau Enterprise Gaylord Herald Times Roscommon County Herald‐ Jeremy Speer, Cathy Landry, News Frank Michels, Chris Engle, Eric Hamp, Tom Hamp, Cheryl Michael Jones, Lorene Parshall, Holladay, Jim Grisso, Glenn Kurt J. Kolka Schicker Good variety with heavy emphasis on issues important to the community. Weekly D 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Advance Allegan County News The Boyne City Gazette State Line Observer STATE NEEDS TO REVERSE TRENDS; OPINION Christopher J. Faulknor, The one staff editorial COVER UP CONTINUED TORTURE OF Ryan Lewis Benjamin J. Gohs submitted was good. I would VICTIMS; ECONOMY IMPROVEMENT IS Good job taking government to Quirky columns. Good editorial have liked to read others. I WHAT PEOPLE WANT task in editorials. Layout is very on community involvement. I didn't feel like there was Marcia Loader tight. It needs a bit more white would have liked to see more enough opinions on the Editorials were insightful, but a space to breathe. I'm not sure hard hitting opinions on local opinions pages. bit too long. Good mix of that a news story should be on issues and reader submitted opinions in reader submitted the opinion page. Be careful opinions. content. about mixing news and opinion.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Local Columnist Daily A 18 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Muskegon Chronicle Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Flint Journal MEGAN HART COMMENTARY VETERAN DIED ALONE: DID YOU KNOW PUNISHMENT INSTEAD OF TREATMENT; Andrew Heller Megan Hart HIM?; A STROKE LEAVES HER YET FACES OF THE CRACKDOWN; A STROKE In a category chock full of STEALS HER AWAY; TEACHER'S LEGACY LEAVES HER YET STEALS HER AWAY incredible talent, this writer A BEAUTIFUL MELODY Jeff Gerritt expressed the widest range of Mitch Albom Strong, powerful commentary. skill. Ms. Hart's subject matters This columnist knows how to This columnist is NOT scared to couldn't have been more grab your attention ‐‐ and does take on the tough subject. diverse, yet she nailed every it in a magnificent way. Three column in a thoughtful method. varied columns, each fantastic Outstanding. in their own way. Daily B 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal BUILDING BRIDGES; CANCER DRUG'S John Schneider APPROVAL MATTER OF LIFE, DEATH; WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? SNYDER'S PLAN TO SIPHON $900 MILLION FROM K‐12 FLYING UNDER THE RADAR Glenn Gilbert Columnist does a good job breaking down complex issues in a way that explains how these news topics affect readership. Daily C 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Garret Leiva Jodee Taylor Marta Hepler Drahos Great wordsmith. Columns Good flow and good leads. Nice The column about mom was come to life with the use of topics and easy to read. Makes really good. Something most words. Great flow. Readers will a point for the readers to think people can relate to. Like the return time and time again. about. local flavor to the column They will welcome him in to their homes. Daily D 29 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Livingston County Daily Morning Sun Livingston County Daily Press & Argus POT DISPENSARIES Press & Argus BIG ELECTRONIC ROAD SIGNS SEND Rick Mills NEW STUDY ON OBESITY LEAVES OUT DISAPPOINTING SIGNALS; HARD Enjoyable treatment of tough KEY POINTS; OPTIMISM CAN STILL TRUTHS ABOUT DRUNKEN DRIVING; topics without stacking the REIGN SUPREME EVEN DURING THE VISIONS OF DAD SPAN GENERATIONS deck or belittling those who HARDEST OF TIMES; SHORTCOMINGS Rich Perlberg disagree. ASIDE, IT WAS HOME Outstanding blend of wit, keen Denyse Smith observation and relevant Well‐written look at life and the discussion of issues that affect issues that affect us. Column on local readers. being forced to move especially poignant. 19

2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Local Columnist (cont.) Weekly A 14 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The News‐Herald The News‐Herald The County Press, Lapeer Lapeer Area View Craig Farrand Karl Ziomek THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE An entertaining columnist who Fearless columnist who isn't Carolyn LeDuc‐Krehel Jacob Hunsanger truly knows his community. afraid to share his views. Enjoyable writing style with the best series headline of the category. Weekly B 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Northern Express Weekly Birmingham Eccentric Plymouth Observer Bay Voice SPECTATOR COLUMNS CAR TALK: REMEMBERING A ROTTEN THEIR GUY IN PLACE, BOARD SHOULD Jeff Payne Stephen Tuttle PINTO; AT WAR WITH THE MICE; MY STAY OUT OF THE WAY; VIETNAM Jeff Payne's columns are well‐ Stephen Tuttle's columns are CUP RUNNETH OVER (WITH SCAMS) WALL BRINGS CHANCE TO PAY written and show he has a powerful, smart and well‐ Greg Kowalski RESPECTS; POLITICS MOVES FRONT AND strong connection to his researched. He writes about It's obvious that Greg Kowalski CENTER community. complex and serious issues with has a fantastic sense of humor. Brad Kadrich clarity, and from the What's not always easy is Brad Kadrich seems to have a perspective of his readers. His translating that wit into a well‐ firm grasp on local politics and take on why people should written and entertaining isn't shy about expressing his bother voting in local elections column. He succeeds. I'm sure views. His column about the is interesting and convincing. his readers always look forward controversy over "Beloved" His critique of Congress is to seeing what he has to say. being read in schools was a refreshingly sharp. His well‐crafted criticism. newspaper is lucky to have him. Weekly C 28 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Gaylord Herald Times Tecumseh Herald Tecumseh Herald Tuscola County Advertiser THOUGHT TRAIN: SANCTITY OF LIFE Mary Kay McCormick Lee Smith STORYBOOK MEMORIES ARE IN THE STEALING CHILDHOOD?; OCCUPY Second and third place were Lee Smith says what she thinks, MAIL EACH MONTH YOUR MIND WITH OCCUPY WALL very close. Mary Kay's columns and she says it very well. I can Amy Joles STREET stuck in my mind a bit longer. imagine that in person she has The mom‐editor does a good Lorene Parshall spunk, and I admired her for it. job in combining her personal The top winner writes with experience with newsworthy passion, precision, and a strong items helpful to other readers. I sense of social justice. Amid 28 particularly liked the column entries, hers stood out. about the story books. Weekly D 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place The Commercial Record The Boyne City Gazette The Union Enterprise BLUE STAR Benjamin J. Gohs STATE OF THE UNION (ENTERPRISE) Scott Sullivan A great way with words. Dan Pepper, interim editor Columns clear and well thought Columns that readers can relate Enjoyable, clear writing. Topics out. Gives all the info and lays to. Enjoyable. of interest that should appeal to out his thoughts very well. readers Enjoyable read even for someone with no interest.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results News Picture Daily A 26 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Grand Rapids Press Kalamazoo Gazette Flint Journal Detroit Free Press A DAY OF HORROR (GRIEF STRICKEN) COMMUNITY SALUTES FALLEN SOLDIER MEMORIAL FOR ERAN "BUGSY" NO POWER NO MILK Chris Clark Mark Bugnaski TRYON Eric Seals A captivating photo taken in a Great, fitting perspective. Good Sean Ryan Turning fairly mundane subject moment of sheer tragedy. A timing. Cool angle. Good lighting. matter into something that's photo one doesn't forget. interesting. Good job by the photographer get an interesting angle. Daily B 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal CATA SHOOTING JOHNSON DRUNK DRIVING MARIJUANA Rod Sanford Rod Sanford Greg DeRuiter Daily C 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle DOWNTOWN FIRE UN‐BEAR‐ABLE TCAPS BUDGET Jan‐Michael Stump Keith King Jan‐Michael Stump It can't be everyday that you The photo certainly could A photo which captures the find a young man happen upon provoke thoughts for the essence of what the story is: a scene who is dressed for the reader, such as what is the guy leaders pondering numbers on unfortunate event. He's going to do if he can catch him? a page, only we get to see it watching intently, and the He's not far away either. Nice projected. Nice work. photographer captured the shot. moment well. Daily D 17 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Livingston County Daily The Pioneer The Argus‐Press Ludington Daily News Press & Argus E CO. FAREWELL FIRE ROARS THROUGH APARTMENTS SAYING FAREWELL FIRE LATEST BUMP IN 'LONG ROAD' Kyle Leppek Daniel R. Basso Jeff Kiessel Gillis Benedict This photo captures a moment Creative angle on shooting the A special moment captured to of pain and shares it with fire. I really like the flames share with others. This photo captures a moment others. It makes the viewer stop reflected through the water. of raw emotion and conveys the and think about the sacrifices feeling to the viewer. Well done! our military families experience There was no doubt in my mind every day. that this was the strongest photo in the competition.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results News Picture (cont.) Weekly A 17 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The News‐Herald Dexter Leader The County Press, Lapeer The County Press, Lapeer FLOODS SPAWN OUTRAGE REBOUNDING PAST TENSE OPEN DESPITE FRIDAY TORNADO SKIPS ACROSS CENTRAL Alan Burdziak Amy Bell FIRE; WILL REBUILD OREGON TOWNSHIP Good photo that truly shows Good; shows breath of storm Jacob Hunsanger Jeff Hogan devastating effects of the destruction yet illustrates how Good action photo of flames sewage backup and man's raw people are coping, reacting. emotion. Photojournalism, not just a good picture. Weekly B 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Bay Voice Oxford Leader Grosse Pointe News TRAGIC FALL AT SELFRIDGE AIR SHOW STOP THAT TURKEY! THANK YOU Dave Angell C.J. Carnacchio Renee Landuyt A stark photo that exemplifies Love this photo. The Nice military homecoming photo why photographers should combination of consternation in package topped with a strong remain at such events from the face of the wildlife officer lead photo. The daughter's start to finish. You never know and the bemusement of the contented expression hugging what might go wrong. A driver is priceless. The shot is her dad speaks volumes. horrifying moment captured. perfectly framed. Weekly C 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leelanau Enterprise Gaylord Herald Times Houghton Lake Resorter & Tuscola County Advertiser FIRE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW ULTIMATE SACRIFICE Roscommon County Herald‐ SHOPPING FRENZY Ken Scott Chris Engle News Amy Joles Great composition and color in The pure emotion is what BURING OAK ON FIRE A tighter crop showing more this otherwise brown makes this shot wonderful. Thomas Reznich emotion on several of the photo...wonderful job. This is Nice crop as well. This is a wonderful example of people's faces would have made one of those shots that all of us, on the spot news photography. this shot a 1st place or 2nd as photographers, wish we'd The reason it didn't get a higher place winner have taken. mark was the lack of emotion or faces in the photo...maybe a different angle and this could have really been something special. Weekly D 12 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place The Commercial Record The Boyne City Gazette State Line Observer CLAW FULL A HERO'S WELCOME HOUSE FIRE Scott Sullivan Christopher J. Faulknor David Green

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Feature Picture Daily A 27 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Jackson Citizen Patriot FIGHTING THE 90S HEAT WAVE....AHHHHH WISHES FOR SANTA Mandi Wright Jarrad Henderson Nick Dentamaro There was but a brief moment Spreading the water drops with For every photographer who when this photograph could be a slow shutter, and using light has dragged their jaded soul to taken; the exact moment it was for an interesting halo effect yet another routine annual taken. Photographer captured helped create the mood of cool shoot, this is an inspiration. If the child's glee through his face, fun and relaxation the girl is you hang around long enough, and his powerless and timid obviously enjoying. the photographs will happen struggle with his hand on the right before you. Just have hose. everything ready and take them. Daily B 5 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal 1‐147TH AIR ASSAULT RETURNS HOME HEAVY SNOWFALL TURTLE HURDLE RAIN FEATURE Rod Sanford Rod Sanford Vaughn Gurganian Greg DeRuiter Daily C 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle BALLOON SHOW FAREWELL TO THE FAIR GREAT LAKES BURN CAMP MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN AMERICA Jan‐Michael Stump Keith King Jan‐Michael Stump Keith King The show of emotion on the The faces on the crowd make It's a nice, clear shot, but is just It's a pretty shot, but doesn't child's face makes this a first‐ this shot. It is a nice stop‐action about devoid of emotion....just really tell a story or show place winner for sure! Great shot for sure, but the emotion is not a lot going on here. emotion. capture, nice crop… good job in the crowd. Daily D 25 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Morning Sun Morning Sun Ludington Daily News Manistee News‐Advocate COMING HOME FOURTH OF JULY SO MANY SEAGULLS, WHICH ONES TO MORNING MOON OVER MANISTEE Lisa Yanick‐Jonaitis Lisa Yanick‐Jonaitis CHASE? David L. Barber Photo has strong impact. Good Nice photo. Good use of natural Jeff Kiessel A beautiful pic. Clearly a place timing, strong emotion. light. Photo speaks to the Nice fun shot. Photographer that is photographed a lot, but Photographer has a good eye readers. was ready for the moment. this has a nice impact. The and is obviously always ready Beautiful color and a morning sky a nice contrast to to shoot. spontaneous moment the ice. Weekly A 21 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Press & Guide Newspapers Ile Camera Grand Blanc View Lapeer Area View QUIDDITCH GETS ROUGH SCHOOL'S OUT TOP SECRET WISH THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE Millard Berry Alison Snow Hartnett Amanda Braniecki Jacob Hunsanger Compelling mix of action and Evidence that creatively A charming moment captured. Two girls frame the bubble sideline photos puts the reader staged photos can be effective. Santa's look says he's taking the nicely, and photo captures their on the field. Page design begs These kids are clearly ready little girl's secret wish very reactions: satisfaction on the left for a dominant photo, though. for summer. seriously. and appreciation on the right.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Feature Picture Weekly B 20 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Milford Times Oxford Leader The Citizen, Ortonville Clarkston News HOW COOL IS THAT? PUPPY LOVE EGG‐CITED BUTTERFLIES TAKE WING Hal Gould C.J. Carnacchio Patrick McAbee Wendi Reardon The photographer captured the Love the way the photographer Fun picture The photographer caught the girl's expression. I feel like I caught the dog's tongue and the children's awe and amazement could walk into this photo. man's face. at nature taking flight. Weekly C 18 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Houghton Lake Resorter & Oceana's Herald‐Journal Gratiot County Herald Tecumseh Herald Roscommon County Herald‐ SKINNER HUMAN CRASH DUMMY? Mickey Alvarado News Andrew Skinner Greg Nelson DANGEROUS POSITION Beautiful photos. The two There is no other way to tell, or Very close to being in top three. Thomas Reznich images work together. And show, this story except with Nicely framed shot with great Really nice shot that shows the what a nice job this multiple images. Good thinking reproduction. confrontation between the osprey newspaper does in displaying on the photographer's part to and man. I love how the focus is the photographer's work. plan this. Nicely done. on both subjects' eyes in this struggle. Displayed well, and a nice color quality. Well done! Weekly D 20 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Allegan County News The Commercial Record State Line Observer Charlevoix Courier DRIVING THE POINT HOME SPARKS FLY DRUMMERS TAKING THE PLUNGE Ryan Lewis Scott Sullivan David Green Steve Zucker This photo is an excellent The photographer took a I love the expressions on the The photographer took the time example of a photographer welding photograph and turned young musicians faces. The to capture the excitement on taking what could have been a it into a beautiful piece of art. photo gives us an intimate peek the children's faces instead of boring photo and creating an Nice job. into a special moment. focusing on the principal alone interesting portrait that did as many photographers would "drive home the point." have done. Nice job. Capturing the reflection in the mirror in the casket was clever. It took talent and patience. Picture Story Daily A 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Grand Rapids Press Detroit Free Press TERRY JONES CONFRONTS DEARBORN OUT OF TENT CITY ONE SUNDAY LIVING WITH MURDER MUSLIMS Ryan Garza The amount of work that went Romain Blanquart Andre J. Jackson This is as close of a into creating this entry Beautifully captured raw What sets this entry apart from competition for first place as warrants it a win in this emotion. the other outstanding photos in you can get. This is high competition. Great this competition is its diversity of quality photojournalism that photography. Great story‐ people, emotions and locations evokes emotion. Beautiful telling. for the total package, which tells photography. Great story. a complete story. The photography is outstanding.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Picture Story (cont.) Daily B 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal SAFELY HOME: FAMILIES GREET WORTH THE WAIT: EMOTIONS POUR SOLDIERS BACK FROM IRAQ TOUR OUT AS MSU GETS 1ST BOWL WIN OF Rod Sanford DANTONIO ERA Powerful photos truly tell the Rod Sanford story here, capturing the range The lead image alone is strong of emotions in these reunions ‐‐ enough to carry the story of the tears, the joy and the relief. triumph and vindication. Secondary images serve to reinforce those emotions ‐‐ and add the spice of celebration. Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle EPIPHANY CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN FACES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN VASA Keith King Jan‐Michael Stump Jan‐Michael Stump Outstanding photos with great Great photos. Would love to see Good photos and framed nicely. impact. Love how they played in how they ran in the paper. Hope Would like to see how they ran in the paper.... I hope the they got the treatment they the paper. photographer had input into deserved. Really great art. that. Photographer took an opportunity and made the most out of it. Great job! Daily D 9 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Ludington Daily News Ludington Daily News Livingston County Daily The Daily Press THE SEARCH FOR BABY KATE SAYING FAREWELL, MANISTEE'S B Press & Argus FLYING HIGH FOR OWEN Jeff Kiessel TROOP LEAVES FOR DEPLOYMENT Holly Richer, Mary Ann Heath This photographer has found Jeff Kiessel MOCK ACCIDENT A nice lead shot of some telling moments in a difficult This is a well shot deployment Gillis Benedict talented riders. emotional story from the outset. piece with plenty of angles and I liked the pictures in this story, The courtroom pictures are nice moments between the especially the feet picture. I particularly well done. I really families and their departing suggested that a closer close‐up want to find out how this whole service members. and a wider overall could have thing ended. improved the batch. Weekly A 18 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Press & Guide Newspapers Chelsea Standard Ile Camera Sanilac County News SYNCH OR SWIM A DAY FOR VETERANS NO MORE PENCILS, NO MORE BOOKS 8‐MAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Millard Berry Burrill Strong Alison Snow Hartnett Dale Ball Wonderful action photos and I love the crops on a few of Wonderful capture of children Nice page, a few of the photos nice shows of emotion these photos...nice overall page which are sometimes very hard could have been thrown away to shoot...nice page and the page would have been better

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Picture Story (cont.) Weekly B 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Tri‐County Times Oxford Leader The Citizen, Ortonville Tri‐County Times MUD BOG DA/OES PUT ON A HECK OF A FAIR! A HADLEY JULY 4 'RECOVERING COUNTRY' Tim Jagielo C.J. Carnacchio Patrick McAbee Tim Jagielo Great photos of an event that This photo page exudes Awesome main photo ‐‐ more Outstanding photos. The color screams small town fun. everything that community is awesome concept. Nice capture and composition is fantastic ‐‐ Obviously, the creative layout about. Great composition, good of what I'm sure is a signature definitely get the feel of the helps to showcase the photos, info for each picture. community event. third‐worldishness of this but the photos themselves tell I'm sure this paper sold well as locale. In terms of having this story. And in terms of the photos capture what is reader impact, this collection is reader impact, this reader was obviously a fun event for the only missing explanation of thinking, "yuck!" Great stuff. Oxford community. what is going on in some of the photos to completely draw the reader in. Nonetheless, love the man with the fish ‐‐ wet hand, cigarette. The whole thing. Weekly C 16 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Houghton Lake Resorter & Houghton Lake Resorter & Frankenmuth News The Tri‐City Times Roscommon County Herald‐ Roscommon County Herald‐ SNAPSHOTS OF BAVARIAN FESTIVAL MEMORABLE RUN ENDS; IMLAY CITY News News 2011 WINS ALL THREE BULL RIDING‐UP NORTH STYLE ARE YOU GEOCACHER ENOUGH? Scott Wenzel Kevin Kissane Thomas Reznich Krista Tacey‐Cater This Frankenmuth News set Making it to the finals and The winner's photos really tell This second‐place entry spills over in community charm. falling short ‐‐ you can see it in the story. You don't have to through photos alone draw the The tale of the town is clearly nearly every photo. read a word of the copy to reader in to the world of told in this page of photos. Well Photographer did a great job of understand what is being geocaching. Main photo really done. capturing the heart of this story conveyed. In terms of impact, tells the story ‐‐ hunting in the with photos. reader interest and middle of nowhere for the composition, hands down, this target. And including the tattoo was the winner. Excellent work. was brilliant. Weekly D 8 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place State Line Observer The Advance State Line Observer WRESTLING IN WALDRON A GLASS RAINBOW; MARK WAGAR'S FESTIVAL FUN David Green ROCKIN' GLASS‐KALEIDESCOPE WORLD David Green Chosen for its variety of James McClenathen The package is hurt by the use emotion, action/reaction and The best of the group at of too many photos. I'd rather lens usage. The package would attempting to tell a story. see the best photos run bigger. have been stronger using fewer It feels more like a scrapbook. photos with a larger dominant Images cropped tight with photo and greater variety in clean backgrounds and are well picture size. toned.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Picture Daily A 16 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Muskegon Chronicle TOE DRAGGING TD CRAZY CATCH HAPPY 35TH, CRIM I SAW IT FIRST Eric Seals Julian H. Gonzalez Ryan Garza Ken Stevens The image that tells almost the A well‐captured moment of Good panoramic shot of a Well executed capture of a split complete story with no need for complete concentration in milestone accomplishment second in time, flying legs and a cutline ‐‐ the catch, the feet, pursuit of a goal. A little out of all. the receiver, the result (TD!). focus, but the facial expression The only need for a words offsets that. would be to ID the defender. Daily B 5 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal MSU OUTBACK BOWL MSU VS. U‐M MSU FANS Rod Sanford Rod Sanford Greg DeRuiter Daily C 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle INTO THE FINALS HALEY BALDINGER OUT AT THE PLATE CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN Jan‐Michael Stump Jan‐Michael Stump Keith King Keith King Each facial expression and the A great job catching the Great action shot. A fun photo with a different movement are all captured at emotional moment and the take on the traditional water just the right time. Compelling tribute to the lost player. dunk..the moment before. image. Daily D 35 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Daily Telegram Huron Daily Tribune Manistee News‐Advocate Midland Daily News ADRIAN COLLEGE TOUCHDOWN PIRATES ERASE REESE 30 – 16 CHIPS SPLIT WITH NO. 6 CARDS (TAG MAKING A SPLASH Jessika Kintner Paul Adams AT PLATE) Nick King A shame that this ran Great job capturing the Matt Wenzel We've all seen this before but secondary at the bottom of the moment. Would love a cleaner The reader can feel the impact. the photographer was well page. Great moment of player background but the Nice play by the designer. positioned, there's good giving it all to cross the line. photographer was in the right reaction and the image was place and got the moment. well toned. Weekly A 14 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Press & Guide Newspapers Press & Guide Newspapers Davison Index GOOOOOOOAL! EXTREME FOOTBALL CARDS TAKE DOWN IMLAY CITY IN OPENER Mike Mousigian Dave Chapman Dan Nilsen You can see the obvious delight Exceptionally sharp and tight The kind of game action shot you and celebration but the thing that photo capturing a great play almost never see because the draws me to this photo is the in the game. Framing in moment is almost impossible to get. dejected and anxious faces of the excellent. Well framed and timed. losing team. A great juxtaposition of emotions captured in a second. Great photo.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Picture (cont.) Weekly B 14 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Milford Times Grosse Pointe News Milford Times FLYING ALONG THE LAKE STATE CHAMPS NORTHVILLE OFFENSE TOO MUCH FOR Hal Gould Dana Kaiser LAKELAND ‐ SCHUMACHER Great photography is about The vantage point is great. So John Heider timing. This was all about many hurdle shots are from the This photo was about the angle. being in the right place at the side. This one gives you a view The viewer is able to see the right time. Great action shot! of the runners' eyes and focus quality of the throw and of the on the next hurdle. Great job. catch. Good job! Weekly C 36 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Gaylord Herald Times Houghton Lake Resorter & Tuscola County Advertiser Frankenmuth News COMEBACK FALLS SHORT Roscommon County Herald‐ RIVALRY RENEWED USING HER HEAD Bill Serveny News Kevin Gregory Vicki Stenglein This is the type of picture that DIGGING DEEP Getting a good reaction shot Nice head shot! every photographer wants to Thomas Reznich after a game is something many get at a football game. The crop Volleyball is a hard sport to photographers overlook and, and the use of the picture is capture good, in‐focus action in despite a slight sharpness issue, very nice too. and this photographer nailed it. this came across as a good ender. Weekly D 12 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention State Line Observer The Union Enterprise State Line Observer State Line Observer OVER THE TOP PLAINWELL SOCCER SLIDES INTO STATE BLOCKED DODGE BALL? David Green CHAMPIONSHIP GAME David Green David Green Photo taken at critical moment Jason Wesseldyk in the game, and photo helps Photo showed the emotion of tell that story well because it the team and caught the energy was this moment on which the of the moment. It was also game turned. played well on the page. Sports Writing Daily A 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Flint Journal Saginaw News Flint Journal CRIM BLAIR WHITE HELPS GREAT LAKES BAY IT'S AN AMAZING FEELING Complete and thorough MIRACLE LEAGUE OPEN SEASON Ross Maghielse coverage of an important event Hugh Bernreuter for the community.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Writing (cont.) Daily B 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal FORCED TO SHARE: SPARTANS MUST ROSE BOWL SLIPS AWAY: SPARTANS DREAM REALIZED: MSU CLINCHES SPLIT TITLE WITH BUCKEYES, U‐M UNABLE TO HOLD ON IN FINAL MINUTES FIRST BIG TEN TITLE IN 32 YEARS Joe Rexrode Joe Rexrode Chris Solari The writer uses every tool at his Another well‐executed game story Lead graph tries to create a disposal ‐‐‐ including social by a writer who knows his craft. tad too much drama but the media ‐‐ to tell a story of a Tightly written and organized in rest of the story unfolds devastating defeat in more a way that a reader clearly nicely. ways than one. Well organized understands what happened in with the right amount of the game and the implications of historical perspective to put the the outcome. MSU loss into context. Daily C 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS FOR PLANNED CRUSHING LOSS FOR BEACH BUMS TROJANS WIN OT THRILLER TC PREVAILS AS BADNER NETS TWO TC HALF MARATHON James Cook Mike Eckert GOALS Mike Eckert This was a nicely written This story had some good James Cook There's a lot of strong reporting summary of a baseball game. It moments, like the lede. The This story had good moments. I in this piece, but I think the had some good moments, like reporter did a good job of liked the lede, which grabbed reporter buried the real story. the exploding bat description in helping me see the action in the me. Other lines were good, like This guy, Reinke, apparently the beginning. But what if the game. The descriptions were "It was that kind of game."But doesn't have a great reputation reporter would have taken a good in sections. what about focusing the story in the communities in which different approach, say, spent only on Megariotis (a great last he's organized races. I would the evening in the hospital with name for a hockey player, I have made that the focal point Andrew Davis or at least must say) and his match of the story, not buried it. Still, interviewed him after the penalty? It seems that his fellow strong reporting. game? It would have been players were shocked by his interesting to hear what it's like actions. Could the story not to be an injured player sitting have focused on only Megariotis on the sidelines while your team while also giving readers the celebrates a victory. The story score and some play‐by‐play could have gone back and forth info? Also, Fournier's first between the action on the field name was left off on first and what was going through reference. Davis' or Jodam Rivera's heads. Daily D 50 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Livingston County Daily The Pioneer The Pioneer The Daily News, Iron Press & Argus A LITTLE BIT OF REDEMPTION PERFECTION Mountain DOGS PUT ICING ON THE SKATE; THE Martin Slagter Bob Allan TROJAN'S TURN TOP DOGS!; CALL 'EM WHAT THEY Love the focus on losing the prior Fantastic lede. Ron Deuter ARE: CHAMPS; BRIGHTON CAPTURES year and coming back and getting it Again, great lede. HOCKEY TITLE together for next year. This is a Tim Robinson great draw. Excellent angle on the story. Love the multi‐generational input. Great writing.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Writing (cont.) Weekly A 12 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The News‐Herald Press & Guide Newspapers Milan News‐Leader The News‐Herald ALL 'CHARGED' UP! Scott Salowich PITCH & KATCH RAILS CLAIM LEAGUE TITLE Scott Held A really well‐handled lead, Randy Castro Shane Preston A great lede on a well‐ exploiting the upset in a unique A well‐written story that gives a Clean, straightforward prose, a organized, lean story. Mostly way. A good rundown of action good feel for the pitcher, concise wrap‐up with lots of devoid of sports clichés. Good with lively quotes. A little given Hoffman, and what makes her solid information. quotes amplify the game to clichés ("with a goose egg on tick. Nice range of detail. description. A nicely crafted the record books...."). ending. Weekly B 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place The Citizen, Ortonville Tri‐County Times Tri‐County Times ONE DIRTY RUN‐WARRIOR DASH TWO YEARS LATER, HOLLY'S GONZALES FENTON WINS DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP Susan Bromley WINS A SECOND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP David Troppens Fun feature on unconventional Again, active voice and David Troppens athletic event. Quotes and storytelling technique that Compelling, active play‐by‐play. personal story gave entry a Writer has strong voice that keeps reader engaged. Good dynamic that put it above the keeps the story moving and the work. competition. reader reading. Weekly C 18 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leelanau Enterprise Leelanau Enterprise The Exponent Gaylord Herald Times LELAND NATIVE RETURNS FOR BIG LELAND COMETS PULL OFF REGIONAL PURE MITCH AGAIN GAYLORD 9‐10S PATIENCE, KEY HITS ROAD WIN THRILLER Jeff Steers SPARK COMEBACK VICTORY Mike Spencer Mike Spencer Nice lead ... and concise to‐the‐ Matt Wenzel The writer took a category that Nice game coverage, which was point article. Nice work. often receives little coverage ‐‐ well documented. and wrote a very nice, complete story that was easy to read. Weekly D 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention State Line Observer Allegan County News State Line Observer Allegan County News BULLDOGS (DEFEAT) LOSE TO BD, 20‐ WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: PLAINWELL TAYLOR BAUGH TAKES STATE LIFTING WAYLAND ENDS 23‐YEAR REGIONAL 15 SECURES FIRST STATE TITLE WITH 2‐1 TITLE TITLE DROUGHT David Green WIN OVER LIVONIA LADYWOOD David Green Jason Wesseldyk Fun lead to the story. Definitely Jason Wesseldyk Nice, well developed lead to this Good feature/news approach to made me want to read it. (Great Nice article, with a feature story. a timely sports story. headline, too) angle on a sports news story.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Column Daily A 11 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Saginaw News Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press MITCH ALBOM COLUMNS: FAREWELL TO JOHN POZENEL'S DEATH LEAVES A MICHAEL ROSENBERG COLUMNS: DREW SHARP COLUMNS: NFL THE MAN WHO GAVE ME MY START; A JUMBO HOLE IN A NEWSPAPER'S ALL HAIL THE KING; TRACTOR'S SHOULDN’T LET THEM OFF THE HOOK; FOOTBALL STOPPAGE EVEN A FAN CAN HEART TROUBLES DON'T TELL WHOLE ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR NORTHRUP'S LOVE; COACH SHOWS LOTS OF FIGHT; Hugh Bernreuter STORY; KICK STOPPED MEMORIES; FOR ONE YEAR, IT'S A GREAT LIONS NEEDED A BIT MORE Quirky, intelligent, well‐ Michael Rosenberg MOVE! BUT FOR NINE, IT'S CRAZY Mitch Albom written. This writer demonstrates the Drew Sharp Outstanding insights and writing. guts to tell a story. You can feel the emotion in the columnists' words. Daily B 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place The Oakland Press The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal MOWERY: SPARKY CONNECTED WITH CAPUTO: SEYMOUR WAS ONE OF Joe Rexrode PEOPLE, PLAYERS; 'THIS IS MY FAMILY'; OAKLAND COUNTY'S FINEST; CAPUTO: MOTOWN SHOWDOWN OHIO STATE'S JIM TRESSEL IS NO Matthew Mowery 'TRAGIC HERO'; RED WINGS ANNOUNCER TO BE INDUCTED IN HALL OF FAME Pat Caputo Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Dennis Chase Mike Eckert James Cook Emotional moments happen often The writer knows about The columnist takes a stand in sports. Being able to capture overcoming odds, whether a and backs up his points. them in words so a reader has wrestling athlete or comprehension is a talent. individually. Compelling Excellent work, particularly on the journalism. track athlete. Daily D 20 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Mining Journal Petoskey News‐Review Midland Daily News Livingston County Daily PRIVATE SCHOOLS STILL HAVE EDGE IN GREAT EIGHT, ANY WAY YOU LOOK DUMARS NEEDS TO BE CALLED OUT FOR Press & Argus SPORTS; WHY IS UPPER PENINSULA AT IT..., YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE PISTONS SMALL SIZE, BIG VOICE, HUGE IMPACT; BASKETBALL PLAY SO BAD THIS YEAR?; PUT IN... Chris Stevens CRITICAL PARENTS CROSS LINE; A GIVE REFS A BREAK IN TOURNEYS Andy Sneddon This columnist writes with LIFETIME TO REMEMBER A FINAL 40 Craig Remsburg Engaging, conversational authority and perspective ‐‐ a SECONDS Solid, engaging writing, but most writing style pulls the reader rare combination. Tim Robinson important, this columnist in to these insightful columns. Writer demonstrates deep expresses an opinion, a point of knowledge and understanding view. He doesn't write about of his local sports beat. himself ‐‐ a common failing among columnists ‐‐ but instead writes about issues and apparently isn't afraid of controversy.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Column Weekly A 5 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Grand Blanc View The County Press, Lapeer The County Press, Lapeer A LITTLE HUMILITY, PLEASE CIRCUMSTANCES; HELL HATH NO ANNIVERSARY; DALLAS; UNCHARTED Jeff Day FURY; MY TWO CENTS TERRITORY Lisa Paine Michael Selecky Weekly B 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Tri‐County Times Clarkston News Bay Voice DAVID'S DABBLINGS WENDI'S WORD Andrew Benoit David Troppens Wendi Reardon Informative columns, with The standout in this category This writer is clearly especially nice ending on was this writer's wonderful enthusiastic about local high "Fishing isn't the same..." first‐person account of school sports. Some nice shout‐ plunging into curling (maybe outs for kids and coaches, and a especially intriguing to a neat idea to reach out for southerner who's only seen the nominations for athletes of the sport on TV!) The trip through week. the history of Detroit sports teams' performance and the writer's disappointment resonated, I'm sure, with many readers. Weekly C 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Exponent Tecumseh Herald Gaylord Herald Times Gaylord Herald Times JEFF'S JOURNEYS Mickey Alvarado ONE MORE CAST FUEL FOR THOUGHT Jeff Steers Good variety ‐‐ baseball, Chris Engle Jim Ryan Nice personal touch and NASCAR and open wheel. I enjoyed the piece about the conversational writing style. boat. The columns about Bob Kerr and Dave Hill were stories I'd like to hear over a beer. Weekly D 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Allegan County News State Line Observer PRESS BOX PERSPECTIVE NASCAR NOTES Jason Wesseldyk Rich Foley Jason is an excellent columnist, Rich is a talented columnist, adept at bringing the human with an obvious insight to the side of things. motorsports world.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Feature Daily A 14 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Detroit Free Press Saginaw News VERLANDER: HIS JOURNEY FROM FLINT BOXER WRITING HISTORY HOKE ALWAYS HAS GONE FULL SPEED PARALYZED DRIVER MICHAEL JOHNSON BOYHOOD ROOTS IN VIRGINIA TO ALL‐ Eric Woodyard Michael Rosenberg READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP INTO STAR PHENOM IN DETROIT Absolutely compelling and Insightful feature of a coach's PROFESSIONAL AUTO RACING Jo‐Ann Barnas candid tale of a young female rise to his dream job. So many Kyle Austin The writer hurls a blazing boxer and her hard‐scrabble wonderful elements, though you A young go‐cart driver, fastball of a story in this start to life. Perhaps this entry have to read past the lead to paralyzed in an accident at 12, revealing look into the life of a would have moved to first place get to them: his often wild decides to race again. The major league pitcher whose by starting earlier into the college days, the birth of his writer had all the facts needed family is almost quirkily in his unusual father‐daughter premature daughter and his for a heartwarming story and corner. The writer uses humor relationship that fueled her recruiting of his own nephew. didn't disappoint. and insight to move to the top success. of a category filled with excellent entries. Daily B 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press Lansing State Journal The Oakland Press PLAY FOR PAIGE: OKEMOS GIRL'S MAGICAL CONNECTION EVERYTHING IS A CHALLENGE:' VERLANDER'S SENSATIONAL SEASON CANCER BATTLE INSPIRES SPARTANS Paula Pasche EXPERIENCES SHAPE JOHNSON'S NOTHING SHORT OF AN MVP YEAR Joe Rexrode OUTLOOK ON BASKETBALL, LIFE Matthew Mowery Chris Solari Daily C 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Times Herald Traverse City Record‐Eagle ULTIMATE TEAM PLAYER' WELCOME TO MACOMB COUNTY ... TC TO HONOR UNBEATEN 1961 Mike Eckert AGAIN FOOTBALL TEAM Nice story about what most of Paul Costanzo Dennis Chase us never hear about in college Offers a solution to a travel sports. problem for area high schools. Daily D 45 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Huron Daily Tribune Midland Daily News Petoskey News‐Review Livingston County Daily I DON'T THINK I COULD DO IT ANY WHEN COACH IS A PREDATOR, IT A MAN TO ADMIRE AND EMULATE Press & Argus OTHER WAY SHOCKS COMMUNITY Andy Sneddon Paul Adams Dan Chalk My initial skepticism about a QUEEN OF THE FIELD This story kept me interested in Very thorough examination of a story focusing on an award Tim Robinson Mackenzie's initial injury, the relevant, unfortunately, topic in winner quickly dissipated due Brianna's double triumph on medical challenges she faced the world of sports. The series to the excellent writing (I like the football field and in the and how she persevered to proved very comprehensive in the repeated use of So Batch). A homecoming court led to an become a stellar athlete. The talking to a variety of sources. strength of the story was the interesting feature. The author writer used a good number of It brought a national topic to number of voices used to tell made it a stronger story by sources to give several voices to the local level. about the coach. What could talking to several sources and the story. Well‐written story have been a routine story not just Brianna. The story also kept my interest throughout. became an interesting read. does a good job of tracing her career and not

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Feature (cont.) Weekly A 20 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Saline Reporter The News‐Herald Saline Reporter Lapeer Area View KEITH LONG ‐‐ AND STRAIGHT "WHEELS FOR BLADES" ON HIS WAY BACK 86‐YEAR‐OLD BOWLS IN SEVEN Terry Jacoby Dave Herndon Randy Castro LEAGUES A WEEK The writer hits this flag with a Catchy lead to an intriguing Intriguing look into unusual Dan Nilsen well‐written feature on a story of an athlete with a commitment on the part of a Deftly written story of a woman friendly golfer and the family passion for an unusual sport. former major leaguer for whom bowling has become ties that keep him in the determined to work his way a lifeline. fairway of life. back to the team he loves. Weekly B 13 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Canton Observer Northern Express Weekly Plymouth Observer Tri‐County Times HEAVY PEDAL A DOSE OF INSPIRATION LOCAL‐MOTION HIPPLE HELPING FAMILIES Tim Smith Erin Crowell Tim Smith UNDERSTAND DEPRESSION Excellent angle and lead; a Wow ‐‐ What a gripping story! Very interesting story. It put a David Troppens well‐developed story. Well written and compelling. human face on these foreign A very gripping story, it my players that fill the rosters of attention from start to finish. U.S. pro hockey teams. One thing I wanted, though, was a comment from a doctor about depression and someone praising Hipple's perseverance. Still, an excellent piece. Weekly C 20 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leelanau Enterprise Gaylord Herald Times Leelanau Enterprise St. Ignace News NORTHPORT ATHLETE PLAYS OVER MS SNOWMAKING VITAL WHEN MOTHER COACHING AT HOME BROWN LED LASALLE TEAM IN 1969, Mike Spencer NATURE DOESN'T DELIVER Mike Spencer THEN VIETNAM WAR SERVICE Very, very interesting. Excellent Jim Ryan Very nice human interest story. CHANGED HIS PLANS lead. A well‐written story. An intriguing, inside look at the Shows the personal side of a Mary Petrides snow‐making process. Nicely coach. Excellent lead and angle on the done. story. Weekly D 9 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention State Line Observer State Line Observer Allegan County News The Union Enterprise CREATURES OF THE NIGHT RICK DAVIS RIDES THE UPPER GAULEY 'SEA OF RED': RED OUT GAME LEWIS EARNS RUNNER‐UP HONORS AT David Green David Green BETWEEN FENNVILLE, SAUGATUCK DIVISION 3 STATE FINALS Interesting and informative The writer captures the sense of RAISES THOUSANDS FOR WES LEONARD Jason Wesseldyk while captivating. The writer adventure and adrenaline. As a HEART TEAM Not just your average football captures the essence of the reader it took me back to my Jason Wesseldyk story. sport and the hunter while own whitewater experiences. Compelling. educating the reader.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Coverage Daily A 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Detroit Free Press Flint Journal Comprehensive and compelling, Excellent news, feature and the DFP offers powerful evidence commentary covering that no medium can match an everything from pros to preps, excellent metro daily for in‐ from boxing to community depth sports coverage. sporting events. Extremely impressive combination of news, features and commentary, presented in an inviting, easily accessible design. Daily B 1 ENTRY 1st Place Lansing State Journal Comprehensive sports section that combines coverage of pros, preps and colleges. It demonstrates what paper's priorities are in regional coverage. I was most impressed by design. Each page consistently, top to bottom. Design makes those priorities clear as well. Writing is fun to read, and informative by staff writers. Baseball scoreboard page is clean and comprehensive; loved all the agate pages for crispness and readability. Daily D 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Argus‐Press Daily Telegram Petoskey News‐Review Manistee News‐Advocate Jason Barczy, Ryan Weiss, Well designed and prioritized; Andy Sneddon, Steve Foley, Kurt Matt Wenzel, Dylan Savela Jerome Murphy it gives the reader a senses of Grangood Good use of photos; right mix what's important. Photos help Good, timely and telling photos for For small newspaper, a well‐ of local colleges and pros. tell the stories, aren't just used tennis, soccer, track. Writing is full of done sports section. Copy is Design and photos worked to fill space. It's clear that energy and informative. Headline well‐written, fast‐paced, with well together, and use of the Adrian College is top coverage good, too, and work well with design no clichés. Photos are telling, left rail with quote and focus. Family album idea is on section fronts but having stories like the one by Matt Wenzel photos plus teasers to inside good one, well executed. I like jump within the section is not good at of Manistee's only score in 1‐ copy a real help to readers. It the page 1 Sports Lineup; it all for readers. Agate could be 0 game vs. Reed City. On a was only section that had an gives the reader choices on grouped differently on separate page, small staff, where a staffer meaningful outdoors section. content, a full meal or nuggets. while stories are kept on individual can write crisply and Fishing, hunting are big in Centerpiece of a good sports pages. I did read 2‐3 stories that Mich. Readers, though section is the agate pages. DT could have been more tightly edited, perhaps a small group, want does clean, comprehensive job eliminating the need for so many to see it and they are loyal on those. jumps. Andy Sneddon was good readers. writer enjoyed column and stories. Overall, covered local sports thoroughly and had space for Detroit pros and colleges.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Sports Coverage (cont.) Weekly A 4 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Press & Guide Newspapers The County Press, Lapeer Grand Blanc View Sanilac County News Scott Salowich Lisa Paine Lisa Paine Dale Ball, Sports Reporting Team The writing and a strong The range of sports covered by Two good columnists add to columnist stand out in this this section is impressive, as is what is a strong attempt to sports section, as well as good the quality of the photos. feature a wide range of photography and an attempt to athletes. touch a lot of sports and include racing and hunting through creative use of non‐local writers' copy. Weekly B 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Canton Observer Tri‐County Times South Oakland Eccentric GOAL‐DEN; ROCKS WEAR KLAA David Troppens Marty Budner CROWN; 'P‐C‐S!' Tim Smith Great variety and energy. Good writing and headlines. Weekly C 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Exponent Leelanau Enterprise Gaylord Herald Times The Tri‐City Times Jeff Steers Mike Spencer, Chris Olson Matt Wenzel, Jeremy Speer, Kevin Kissane In a modern newsroom for a Sports Editor Mike Spencer and Chris Engle, Bill Serveny, Jim This paper exhibited strong neighborhood paper, everyone his team do a great job of Ryan, Ian Callison writing in the sports has to wear many hats. Hard‐ covering a wide variety of Good photos and a variety of department. working Sports Editor Jeff sports. And when it comes to the sports ‐ from kids soccer to Steers wears ones that say high school teams, they give outdoor fishing to ice hockey ‐ reporter, editor and excellent even coverage to boys make this paper a powerhouse photographer ‐ and his results and girls sports. in sports coverage. make it look easy. Now Steers can wear one more hat ‐ the one that says winner. Weekly D 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place The Advance State Line Observer Strong local sports coverage, This community is fortunate to comprehensive and well have a local paper with such a written. dedicated focus on local sports. Lifestyle Pages Daily A 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place Detroit Free Press Flint Journal

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Lifestyle Pages (cont.) Daily B 1 ENTRY 1st Place Lansing State Journal Lifestyle pages that are as good as they get. Interesting stories, great layout and photography, and just a pleasurable Sunday read. Love the space given to the books. Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle BODY & SOUL FOOD GENERATION WHY Jodee Taylor, Vanessa McCray Jodee Taylor Jodee Taylor Story of the nun was priceless, Story of old‐style cooking was Great layout here, but writing and great photos to accompany. interesting. was not as strong in this entry. That story made this entry rise to the top. Daily D 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Petoskey News‐Review Midland Daily News Petoskey News‐Review Manistee News‐Advocate ARTS PAGES Lori Qualls PEOPLE Babette Stenuis Stolz The front covers were very Babette Stenuis Stolz The front covers were attractive. The layout This was an extremely attractive to the eye and throughout was clean and the attractive entry. immediately grabbed my copy was easy to read. Wish attention. The photography and there had been more local copy. layout throughout the section was exquisite. This was an extremely nice entry worthy of a first‐place award. Weekly A 1 ENTRY 1st Place Press & Guide Newspapers Jodi Rempala Weekly B 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Tri‐County Times Grosse Pointe News Clarkston News This section is filled with so SERVICE ABOVE SELF; TRIP COMES MILLSTREAM much community news I'm sure FROM THE HEART; PICTURE THE This is packed with it's a must read for local POSSIBILITIES information, but layout needs residents. Also very good layout Ann Fouty and staff work and writing is not as and nice use of color. Good stuff. This front page is very good, but strong as readers deserve. overall quality and looks diminishes after the cover.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Lifestyle Pages (cont.) Weekly C 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Leelanau Enterprise The Exponent Tuscola County Advertiser Gaylord Herald Times YOUR LIFE, YOUR STYLE HEALTH AND EDUCATION SECTIONS Lynn Boughton, Karri Tarsha, Amy Joles, Mary Drier, Stacey Frank Michels, Jeremy Speer, staff Tucker, Eric Andreychuk Cathy Landry and staff Weekly D 2 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place State Line Observer The Boyne City Gazette The reader really catches a WINTERIZE YOUR HOME glimpse of sense of the Benjamin J. Gohs community from these pages. Special Section Daily A 6 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Grand Rapids Press Flint Journal Detroit Free Press LIVING WITH MURDER: THE AGONY OF BETTY FORD BACK TO THE BRICKS READING WORKS: THOUSANDS IN OUR DETROIT'S NEIGHBORHOODS AND Fitting tribute to an influential Community journalism with COMMUNITIES CAN'T READ THIS HEADLINE. THEIR CRY FOR HELP first lady. Photographs were an exclamation point. Great WE CAN HELP. HERE'S HOW. Great section on a wonderful and helped tell the story of local volunteers and Important piece about an often‐ heartbreaking topic. Superb story. a community's ties to the ignored social problem. reporting and writing, good auto industry. layout, and all around quality work. This is what newspapering is all about. Daily B 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal Lansing State Journal 9/11: 10 YEARS LATER ACCIDENT FUND 100 YEARS OF CHEVY All three entries were well Nice to see creative thought Well done. written. However, I could feel processes on this section. The how much time and effort went readers certainly enjoyed this into selecting each photo, cut one cover to cover. line and the placement of photos. Well Done. Daily C 3 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle Traverse City Record‐Eagle 2012 WEDDINGS FORECASTING OUR FUTURE MY GENERATION Mark Urban Bill O'Brien Mark Urban Nice looking section with some Typical business outlook Good idea, but came off as a bit good local photography. section, but done well. Could formulaic. have used one or two stories with a human interest angle versus straight‐up business angle.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results Special Section (cont.) Daily D 26 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Cadillac News The Mining Journal Sturgis Journal Ludington Daily News OUR COMMUNITY SUPERIORLAND MAGAZINE/ BEYOND JUNE 2011: BUCKET LIST LOCALLY GROWN, LOCALLY OWNED Beautiful design lured me into ARCHITECTURE BY DESIGN Wonderfully engaging snippets Locally Grown, Locally Owned the pages of Our Community. Taylor Jones of information covering an is impossible to ignore in this Engaging stories on a wide Nicely written, nicely designed. array of attractions that would super‐competitive category. variety of topics kept me Made me want to visit. appeal to residents and visitors Nicely done. enthralled until, with the turn alike. of the final page, I felt like I connected with the Cadillac community. Weekly A 10 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Sanilac County News Tri‐County Citizen The News‐Herald 24 HOURS IN SANILAC COUNTY MONTROSE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL CRUISIN' DOWNRIVER What a neat way to tell the day‐ Karl Ziomek, Carol Brown in‐the‐life story of Sanilac County. Well done. Weekly B 7 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Tri‐County Times Livonia Observer Tri‐County Times MADE IN AMERICA LIVONIA SPREE OUR TOWN Beth Jachman Weekly C 23 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Gaylord Herald Times Houghton Lake Resorter & The Tri‐City Times The Exponent WILD NORTHERN MICHIGAN Roscommon County Herald‐ BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL 2011 IN REVIEW Frank Michels, Jeremy Speer, News Nice job covering the festival in Jeff Steers, Karri Tarsha Cathy Landry, Chris Engle SUMMER SEASONS advance. This publication The Exponent added pizazz to This was an outstanding This is an excellent magazine would be a must‐have for covering the year in review, a publication, and unique in that for visitors and locals alike. anyone planning to attend the lesson many newspapers could it focused on wildlife. Stories Stories of what to see and do fill Blueberry Festival. Enjoyable learn. The clean layout made it were interesting, photos the pages along with nice, large articles and nice graphics. easy to read and the nuggets of excellent and layout clean. photographs. Looks like a lot of information and photos were Great job. A clear winner. work went into this publication. packaged nicely. Good job. Well done.

Weekly D 5 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention The Commercial Record The Advance The Advance The Boyne City Gazette THE RESORTER, FALL 2011, ARTPRIZE MAKING HISTORY BLISSFIELD YULETIDE CHEER RAMBLER PRESS SPECIAL SECTION Melissa Burnor, Marcia Loader, Marcia Loader,Vickie Keith Benjamin J. Gohs, Boyne City Matt Gliwa, Scott Sullivan, Sara James McClenathen High School Journalism 2010‐ Ramaker 2011, Rick Fowler, Teacher

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results

The 5 Herbert Spencer* Contests... Michigan Press Association members “Active” (daily or weekly print newspapers), “Specialty Publication” and “Online only” publications entered these NEW Herbert Spencer* contests. All entries were judged on merit alone. Your work stands on its own. None of that competing against similar publications stuff here. These Herbert Spencer* contests did NOT count toward the “Newspaper of the Year” award.

1. Best Photo 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Lansing State Journal Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press CATA BUS SHOOTING CRAZY CATCH WINNER AT THE BUZZER ABOVE THE CROWD Rod Sanford Julian H. Gonzalez Jarrad Henderson Julian H. Gonzalez The photographer must have Perfect shot. Why not first Great victory shot. Got to Nicely framed. Beautiful arrived while first responders place? It was taken in more of a respect the challenges of dim emotion and timing. were still waiting on EMS, then controlled environment gymnasiums and capturing he found this dramatic, low (sporting event), making the subjects who are not hamming shot with an eerie and whole process a little easier. for throngs of media. somewhat disconnected background, and selected this frame with the man strolling past, the woman reacting in horror.

2. Best Website 11 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Grand Rapids Press Flint Journal Traverse City Record‐Eagle MLIVE.COM MLIVE.COM RECORD‐EAGLE.COM Great website. I really like the Similar site as Grand Rapids. Jeanne Ehinger, Alison Widmer, format‐larger photos‐multiple Great site overall. Jodee Taylor, Andy Taylor points of entry for readers and I really like the site. There a ton the comment tool really grabs of information but it's displayed the attention. Thanks for the or positioned well. My only explanation you gave as well. suggestion is to code the Congratulations on your site vertical navigation bar to move and your recent growth! with the scroll bar. It could perhaps assist with time spent on site as the reader could just point and click on new area of interest without scrolling back to the top of the page. Great job overall.

3. Best Headline 19 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Petoskey News‐Review Detroit Free Press Milford Times The Union Enterprise PLANNERS POOH‐POOH POOCH PARK EMPIRE STRIKES OUT: VALVERDE PROPONENTS BUZZ OVER MEDICAL GUN PLAIN BOARD SAYS BOO TO Neil Stilwell WHIPS YANKS AT HOME TO SEND MARIJUANA LAW GHOST HUNTERS A good headline should make TIGERS TO TEXAS Aileen Wingblad Dan Pepper you laugh and convey, at a Ryan Ford, Jeff Tarsha, David glance, what the story is about. Darby This one did.

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2012 Better Newspaper Contest Results 4. Best Mulitmedia Presentation 15 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Detroit Free Press Dexter Leader Detroit Free Press ASIAN CARP: MANAGING A MENACE VIDEO: EVEN AFTER THE DEXTER LIVING WITH MURDER Brian Kaufman, Tina Lam TORNADO, THE COMMUNITY STAYS Romain Blanquart, Suzette Great content on a subject that STRONG Hackney, Kathy Kieliszewski, is relevant to the area. James David Dickson, Sean Carlton Winfrey Very creative. Dalton, Erica McClain, Michelle Another relevant topic. Well Rogers, Amy Bell, David done on the story telling! Veselenak Gripping footage of the tornado and the residents. It was as if we were there.

5. Best Writing 33 ENTRIES 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press Lansing State Journal Detroit Free Press THE WENDROW SAGA: A FAMILY'S SUICIDE OR THE PERFECT MURDER? 'I DON'T WANT TO BE DEFINED BY THIS' MICHIGAN'S HOMELESS STUDENTS NIGHTMARE Joe Swickard Louise Knott Ahern AFTER SCHOOL, THERE IS NO HOME L.L. Brasier ,John Wisely The scene‐setting for this story A solid and well‐done piece of THE EXPLOSIVE INCREASE OF This series was compelling is wonderful, and the pivot to writing and reporting that HOMELESSNESS IN MICHIGAN HITS KIDS written, massively documented the mystery about to be laid out helps us see this kid through his PARTICULARLY HARD and riveting. It was a classic is perfect ("But there was eyes, and that of his family. It Jeff Seidel newspaper investigation of a another plan for Widlack...."). handles the question of obesity An eye‐opening and moving miscarriage of justice with This was a riveting detective sensitively and reminds readers portrait of a group of children sensitive insights and story with suspense, mystery ‐ that children can be wounded suffering from family illuminating detail. Beyond the and vivid writing. The story by sometimes well‐meaning misfortunes and reverses over human stories involved, the unfolds in a compelling efforts of adults in their lives. which they have no control. If I writers meticulously explained narrative, with illuminating and had any complaint about the complicated issues such as the engaging detours such as the stories, it is that they seemed a debate over ‐ and debunking of description of Ann's return from bit overlong and hence ‐ facilitated communication. It her trip. I found this story somewhat plodding in places. handled the issues with impossible to put down from Might have been a more sensitivity and respect for the start to finish. effective and impactful body of humans involved. It was a work at 75 percent the length. marvelous piece of work.

*Herbert Spencer was an english philosopher, biologist, sociologist who is best known for coining the concept “survival of the fittest” in 1864. These contests are sort of a “survival of the fittest” microcosm. Although the phrase conjures up an image of a violent struggle for survival, in reality the word “fittest” seldom means the strongest or the most aggressive. On the contrary, it can mean anything from the best camouflaged or the most fecund to the cleverest or the most cooperative. Forget Rambo, think Einstein or Gandhi.

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