Inuvik (May 13/05) - Inuvik Drum was named best paper and won the prize for best front page at a recent Alberta newspaper awards competition.

Those honours were among six Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association general excellence awards won by Northern News Services publications.

"Large photos and bold heads make this an attractive paper. Editor is not afraid of creative layouts on photo pages," wrote the judges, workers from the West Valley View, another Arizona newspaper.

They said the front page was unique, which "made the (Inuvik) Drum stand out."

Inuvik Drum editor is Jason Unrau.

Deh Cho Drum was named best in its class and finished second in best front page competition.

"Good cultural coverage. Excellent photography. Good use of colour," wrote judge Don Sorchych, publisher of the Sonoran News, a weekly newspaper near Phoenix.

Drum editor is Derek Neary.

Yellowknifer won two awards, second overall in its class and third in best sports page competition.

"A fun read" was how an Arizona newspaper editor described Yellowknifer, which finished second overall at the recent Alberta newspaper awards.

"I love all the photos and the mix of news, business, community and sports coverage," wrote John Conway, managing editor of the Ahwatukee Foothills News of Phoenix, Arizona.