The 2024 National Newspaper Association (NNA) Better Newspaper Content nominations have been judged, with The Village Reporter (Northwest Ohio Publishing LLC) winning fifteen awards and honorable mentions.
The contest attracted 1,513 entries, and 676 awards were won by 92 newspapers in 32 states.
This year’s winners will be recognized during the NNA’s 138th Convention being held this September in Omaha, Nebraska.
HONORABLE MENTION
Advertising
Best Multiple Advertiser Section
“Honoring Years in Business”
Newspaper Sales Team
Judge’s Comments: Great idea for a clean layout and great participation from the community!
SECOND PLACE
Advertising
Best Newspaper Promotion
800,000+ Photo Reprints
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Judge’s Comments: Nice piece promoting a strong community service.
HONORABLE MENTION
Editorial
General Excellence
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Judge’s Comments: Very colorful front page. Good preview section on front page to steer readers to stories inside. Superb sports section!
FIRST PLACE
Editorial Photo – Best Photo Essay
Bundle Of Joy
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Casey L. Church, Office Manager
Judge’s Comments: Just a huge bundle of joy! Basic photos, yet a terrific “bundle” not just for the parents, but the entire community!!
THIRD PLACE
Photo
Best Sports Photo
Swimming Form
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: Perfectly captured dive!
HONORABLE MENTION
Section
Best Family Life Living Section Pages
Embracing The Unexpected
Amy Wendt, Writer
Judge’s Comments: Nice selection of stories with a family feel to the entire paper. Solid writing. Consistent layout.
FIRST PLACE
Section
Best Special News, Sports or Feature Section or Edition
150 Years Of Fayette History
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: This was not just a piece of journalism. It’s also a piece of history in how it not only chronicles the history, but also how that history is seen. Great mix of old and new photos. The point of view of the children is a great inclusion.
HONORABLE MENTION
Editorial
Story-Series – Best Performing Arts Story
Bryan High School Theater Presents “Clue On Stage”
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: Clever way to tell the story! The layout, great photos and cutlines and a short brief article. You wrote to your audience and many of these younger people don’t want to read a long story, but they do want to be featured. Big congratulations on 4th place. There were some amazing entries in this category, so give yourself a pat on the back!
THIRD PLACE
Editorial
Story/Series – Best Coverage of Military Affairs
Veterans Tribute
Forrest Church, Publisher
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Anna Wozniak, Writer
Amy Wendt, Writer
Judge’s Comments: A great group effort that explored many facets of veterans’ and current military members’ service produced a section with substance. Wish we saw more of the same from other newspapers.
THIRD PLACE
Editorial
Story-Series – Best Business Story
Fish Farm
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: great story, there is a mention of a first part to this that I would have liked to read too … Overall, great job.
FIRST PLACE
Editorial
Story-Series – Best Sports Story
Edgerton’s Timbrook Reaches 1,000 Career Digs
Nate Calvin, Sports Director
Judge’s Comments: Well written, plenty of details, background info, multiple quotes. Loved the layout and photos of this entry much more than the other volleyball feature, though it was a good story too. Congratulations 1st place!
SECOND PLACE
Editorial
Story-Series – Preserving Local History
150 Years Of Fayette, Ohio History
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: A massive project that paid off handsomely for readers. Great deep dive into a community’s story.
THIRD PLACE
Editorial
Story-Series – Preserving Local History
185-Year-Old Historic Cabin Has Deteriorated Past The Point Of Restoration
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Rebecca Miller, Writer
Judge’s Comments: a sad current situation is put into perspective with good historical narrative. Nicely reported.
THIRD PLACE
Best Use of Social Media for Breaking News
Local Pastor’s Charges Dropped
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Jacob Kessler, Writer/Photographer
Judge’s Comments: Nice and short memo that is a perfect summary of the article to go along with the link… And what a cool way of being the ones to break the news not only to readers and social media, but to the pastor himself.
HONORABLE MENTION
Editorial
Best Use of Social Media for Breaking News (Keeping Readers Informed)
Murder Suspect Found Dead
Forrest R. Church, Publisher
Judge’s Comments: Good post with short headline.
