Yellowknifer at top of its class
Newspaper wins several national and regional awards
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
You are reading what has been recognized as the best newspaper in its circulation class in Canada.
The newspaper awards season is wrapping up and Yellowknifer has come out on top regionally and nationally in multiple categories.
The Canadian Community Newspaper Awards crowned Yellowknifer number one in the best overall newspaper category.
"Love the front page, great photos," wrote judge Dale Bass in the winner's book.
Bass also gave nod to the paper's weekly Artist of the Week column.
"All too often it's easy to ignore local up-and-coming talent."
Yellowknifer also rose to the top in the local editorial category for its circulation class with a first place finish for 'City races down a bumpy road,' written by assignment editor Erin Steele. The May 16, 2014 editorial argues the city's proposed tax increase at the time was a dangerous move in an era of a stagnating population growth and a rising cost of living.
"Yellowknifer clinched the number-one spot by ticking all the boxes - they clearly stated their opinion, backed it up with well researched information, and delivered it in a very persuasive, thoughtful style - plus, the writing was exceptional," wrote judges Pierre Pelletier and Benjamin Vachet.
Photo editor Walter Strong scored third-best news story for 'Stanton staff abused daily,' which shone a glaring light on the fact that security guards at the hospital cannot touch unruly patients, downloading that responsibility onto front-line workers.
"Good writing, combined with top-notch research, and a substantial human interest angle - excellent work," wrote judges Pauline Kerr and Sean McIntyre in the winner's book.
Yellowknifer also received the award for best front page in its circulation class.
Yellowknifer belongs to the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association and took home several awards at a ceremony earlier this month both in the editorial and advertising categories.
The newspaper came out on top with the ad campaign award with a first place for its Welcome to Yellowknife campaign.
Features editor Daron Letts won top arts and culture award for his emotional feature 'Punk, baker, artist mourned' on Yellowknife artist Nathan Wilson who died suddenly last summer.
Yellowknifer also received a third-place finish in best special sections and supplements award for its Holiday Gift Guide and a second place in its circulation class for best sports page.
