Forum Communications newspapers win more than 140 awards at Minnesota convention

Forum Communications Co. employees pose for a celebratory photo after the Minnesota Newspaper Association awards banquet on Thursday, Jan. 29, in Bloomington, Minn. FCC newspapers received 146 awards in MNA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Forum Communications Co. newspapers received more than 140 awards, ranging in categories from “Best Local Breaking News Story” to “Best Website” during the 2013-2014 Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. The awards were bestowed during the organization’s annual awards banquet held Jan. 29 in Bloomington.

The Better Newspaper Contest is held annually to recognize the state’s newspapers’ efforts to improve their print and digital products. MNA officials said there were more than 5,000 entries in all of the categories, so taking home an award was a true accomplishment.

Forum Communications Co. received 146 of the 600-plus awards that were bestowed, and topped its accomplishments with second place finishes for the best daily and weekly newspapers in the state. Both the Detroit Lakes (Minn.) Tribune and  The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead finished just one place shy of receiving the awards for the state’s best daily newspaper and the state’s best weekly newspaper. Both papers took first place in their respective divisions last year, and this ends the Tribune’s three-year run as the state’s best weekly.

The award for the best daily in the state is called Vance Trophy, and the award for the best weekly in the state is called The Mills Trophy.

The Forum received a total of 27 awards in the daily newspaper competition, 12 of which were first place awards. The Tribune received a total of 22 awards, seven of which were first place awards. Also showing well were the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune with 12 awards and the Alexandria (Minn.) Echo Press with 14 awards.

In addition to numerous honors received by the newspapers, many Forum Communications employees were recognized for their own accomplishments. Reporters, photographers, editors, designers and sales representatives received some of the contest’s top awards.

Forum Communications Co. is a multimedia information company based in Fargo, N.D., and owns dozens of newspapers, websites, television and radio stations, and commercial printing facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Following is a list of the awards received by FCC newspapers:

The Bemidji Pioneer

• Press Photographer’s Portfolio; all dailies; The Bemidji Pioneer; Monte Draper; first place

• Typography & Design; dailies under 10,000; The Bemidji Pioneer; second place

• General Reporting;  dailies under 10,000; The Bemidji Pioneer; third place

• Headline Writing; dailies under 10,000; The Bemidji Pioneer; second place

• Human Interest Story; dailies under 10,000; Bethany Wesley; “Not bad for either of us” third place

• Social Issue Story; dailies under 10,000; Justin Glawe; “Homeless in Bemidji;” first place

• Social Issue Story; dailies under 10,000; Crystal Dey; “Turning the page;” third place

• Sports Story; dailies under 10,000; Pat Miller; “Because it’s the Cup?;” third place

• Business Story; dailies under 10,000; Joseph Froemming; “Local talent, big projects;” second place

• Best Magazine; All Dailies; ‘in’ magazine: Spring 2014; third place

• Government/Public Affairs Reporting; All Dailies; Bethany Wesley; “School space?;” third place

The staffs of The Brainerd Dispatch and the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal gather for a photo to celebrate their awards at the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association convention in Bloomington, Minn.

Brainerd Dispatch

• Typography & Design; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; first place

• General Reporting; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; second place

• Sports Reporting; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; third place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; third place

• Classified Ad Section; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; second place

• Website; dailies 10,000 and over; Brainerd Dispatch; first place

• Portrait and Personality Photo; All Dailies; Steve Kohls; “Frozen ‘do;” second place

• Design Portfolio; All Dailies; Janet Finger; first place

The staff of the Daily Globe in Worthington, Minn., pose with their MNA awards.

• Use of Photography as a Whole; dailies under 10,000; Daily Globe; second place

• Special Section; All Dailies; “Daily Globe – A Sense of Community;” third place

• Government/Public Affairs Reporting; All Dailies; Aaron Hagen, Julie Buntjer & Erin Trester; “The Northland Mall Saga;” second place

Duluth News Tribune

• Editorial Page as a Whole; dailies 10,000 and over; Duluth News Tribune; third place

• General Reporting; dailies 10,000 and over; Duluth News Tribune; third place

• Headline Writing; dailies 10,000 and over; Duluth News Tribune; second place

• Classified Ad Section; dailies 10,000 and over; Duluth News Tribune; first place

• Website; dailies 10,000 and over; Duluth News Tribune; second place

• Self-Promotion or House Ad; All Dailies; Jon Godfrey & Mike Mazzio; “We’re Everyone’s News Source;” first place

• Use of Color in Advertising; Dailies 10,000 and over; Jon Godfrey & Mike Mazzio; “We’re Everyone’s News Source;” first place

• Innovative Online Advertising; All Dailies; Jon Godfrey; “Duluth Playhouse Les Mis;” first place

• Innovative Online Advertising; All Dailies; Jon Godfrey & Dennis Comfort; “Shrine Circus;” third place

• Social Issue Story; Dailies 10,000 and over; John Lundy; “The case for medical marijuana,” third place

• Local Breaking News Coverage; All Dailies; John Lundy, John Myers, Jana Hollingsworth & Addie Bergstrom; “‘Nobody gave more’;” third place

• Investigative Reporting; All Dailies; Tom Olsen; “Landfill Scandal Investigation;” second place

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead

• General Reporting; dailies 10,000 and over; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; first place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; dailies 10,000 and over; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; first place

• Headline Writing; dailies 10,000 and over; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; third place

• Advertising Campaign; Brenda Lawrence, Dave Overland, Jamie Odum Thompson & Rebekah Ness; “Luther Quick Lane Series;” first place

• Self-Promotion or House Ad; All Dailies; Brenda Lawrence; “ApartmentsHQ (Trapped inside with his roommate…);” second place

• Best Advertisement; dailies 10,000 and over; Rebekah Ness & Mike Meyer; “Indian Triumph of Fargo (Black Friday Sale); third place

• Innovative Online Advertising; All Dailies; Caleb Fugleberg; “Blue Moose Bar & Grill;” second place

• Human Interest Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Archie Ingersoll; “Lost Boys all grown up;” third place

• Social Issue Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Sherri Richards & Meredith Holt; “A hidden loss;” first place

• Sports Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Chris Murphy; “Still there with me;” first place

• Sports Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Eric Peterson; “Dragons do it for Dalton;” third place

• Arts and Entertainment Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Ryan Johnson; “Monster truck matchup;” second place

• Arts and Entertainment Story; dailies 10,000 and over; Anna G. Larson; “The Piano Project;” third place

• Investigative Reporting; All Dailies; Mike Nowatzki; “When police work turns personal;” third place

• Columnist; All Dailies; Tammy Swift; first place

• News Photo; All Dailies; Michael Vosberg; “Del Rae Williams;” first place

• Photo Story; All Dailies; Dave Wallis; “Church window restoration;” first place

• Portrait and Personality Photo; All Dailies; Dave Wallis; “Child care center director Jane Greminger;” first place

• Portrait and Personality Photo; All Dailies; Michael Vosberg; “Clifford Tengesdal holds his wife’s dog Parker;” third place

• Design Portfolio; All Dailies; Jason Miller; third place

• Best Use of Video; All Dailies; “Express Yourself;” third place

• Best Use of Multimedia; All Dailies; “Moorhead fire department response times;” third place

• Best Use of Social Media; All Dailies; “Casselton train derailment;” third place

• Government/Public Affairs Reporting; All Dailies; Kyle Potter; “Fire response times;” first place

• Freedom of Information Award; All Newspapers; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; first place

• Category X; Cops & Courts; All Dailies; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; first place

• General Excellence; Dailies 10,000 and over; The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead; third place

Becker County Record

• Government/Public Affairs Reporting; Weeklies over 2,500; Paula Quam; “Turnaround champions;” second place

Detroit Lakes Tribune

• Typography & Design; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Detroit Lakes Tribune; second place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Detroit Lakes Tribune; first place

• Headline Writing; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Detroit Lakes Tribune; first place

• Advertising Excellence; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Detroit Lakes Tribune; second place

• Advertising campaign; Mary Brenk & Luanna Lake; “Central Floral;” third place

• Institutional Advertisement; Weeklies over 2,500; Nick Omberg & Luanna Lake; “Dynamic Homes – Picture It;” first place

• Institutional Advertisement; Weeklies over 2,500; Stacey Gravelle; “Seven Sisters Spirits;” second place

• Self-Promotion of House Ad; Weeklies over 2,500; Luanna Lake; “Crazy Day Promotion;” second place

• Best Advertisement; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Nick Omberg & Luanna Lake; “Dynamic Homes – Picture It;” first place

• Innovative Online Advertising; All Weeklies; Mary Brenk & Jake Pfeifer; “Central Floral;” third place

• Human Interest Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Brian Basham; “Wanted: Sucker Creek Outlaws take cowboy shooting to the next level;” third place

• Social Issue Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Paula Quam; “Men of the Compassion House;” first place

• Sports Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Vicki Gerdes; “Just like old times: Detroit Mountain’s original ski club members tour new facility, talk history;” second place

• Business Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pippi Mayfield; “M State nursing program excels;” first place

• Arts and Entertainment Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Brian Basham; “Muskie guide with an artistic side;” third place

• Investigative Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pippi Mayfield; “Frazee coach, teacher still on leave; Frazee releases report; Teacher gets 5 days unpaid, no coaching; Frazee takes action;” third place

• Photo Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Brian Basham; “Triple the fun;” second place

• Best Use of Video; Weeklies over 2,500; “DWI video;” second place

• Best Use of Multimedia; Weeklies over 2,500; “DWI video;” second place

• Best Use of Multimedia; Weeklies over 2,500; “Beermaking with Brian;” third place

• Best Use of Social Media; Weeklies over 2,500; Twitter; third place

• Government/Public Affairs Reporting; Weeklies over 2,500; Paula Quam; “DL school bond vote is in two weeks;” first place

Echo Press

• Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; first place

• General Reporting; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; first place

• Sports Reporting; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; third place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; third place

• Headline Writing; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; third place

• Website; weeklies over 5,000; Echo Press; first place

• Best Advertisement; weeklies over 5,000; Randy Jansen; “Randy Fischer Real Estate fine print;” second place

• Innovative Online Advertising; All Weeklies; Jody Hanson & Karla Mikkelson; “Steinbring Motorcoach.;” second place

• Sports Story; weeklies over 5,000; Eric Morken; “Sun sets on citizen’s field;” second place

• Sports Story; weeklies over 5,000; Eric Morken; “Back on the bag;” third place

• Sports Photo; weeklies over 5,000; Blaze Fugina; “Backyard Hockey;” first place

• Sports Photo; weeklies over 5,000; Eric Morken; “Sun sets on citizen’s field;” second place

• Best Magazine; All Weeklies; Chicz (July/August); third place

• Category X; Cops & Courts; Weeklies over 2,500; “Burglary: Crime page; Murder; Solving crime feature; Trouble traffic spots;” first place

Farmington/Rosemount Independent Town Pages

• Local Breaking News Coverage; weeklies up to 2,500; Michelle Leonard; “Missing Farmington woman found dead in Wisconsin;” second place

Hancock Record

• Classified Ad Section; weeklies up to 2,500; Hancock Record; first place

• Special Section; Weeklies up to 2,500; “Graduation section;” second place

Chad Richardson

Katrina Styx

Hastings Star Gazette

• Press Photographer’s Portfolio; all weeklies; Hastings Star Gazette; Chad Richardson; second place

• Business Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Katrina Styx; “Still no contract deal for Regina nurses;” second place

• News Photo; weeklies Category X; Cops & Courts; Weeklies over 2,500; Chad Richardson; “ Rescuers save man from going over falls;” second place

• General Excellence; Weeklies 2,501-5,000; Hastings Star Gazette; second place

Lake County News Chronicle

• Investigative Reporting; weeklies up to 1,500; LaReesa Sandretsky; “Appointed auditor, recorder issue heats up;” third place

Morris Sun Tribune

• Website; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Morris Sun Tribune; first place

• Business Story; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Kim Ukura; “Sale day at the farm;” third place

• News Photo; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Brooke Kern; “Free vaccinations for area students:” third place

• Best Use of Video; Weeklies up to 2,500; “Start to finish: A time-lapse look at the Stevens County Fair;” second place

The Perham Focus staff poses with their six awards that they won at the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association convention in Bloomington, Minn.

Perham Focus

• Typography & Design; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Perham Focus; second place

• Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Perham Focus; third place

• General Reporting; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Perham Focus; second place

• Website; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Perham Focus; third place

• Human Interest Story; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Marie (Nitke) Johnson; “Doing big things for little ones: Perham couple provides ‘comforts of home’ for families of preemies;” third place

• Portrait and Personality Photo; weeklies 1,501-2,500; Elizabeth Howe; “Creative by design;” second place

Pineandlakes Echo Journal

• General Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000; third place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pineandlakes Echo Journal; third place

• News Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Nancy Vogt; “Memorial Day girl;” first place

• Sports Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pete Mohs; “Grace on water: Area water skier preparing for state slalom championships;” second place

• Best Use of Video; Weeklies over 2,500; “News of the North;” third place

• Best Use of Social Media; Weeklies over 2,500; News of the North ShoutOUTs; first place

The staff of the Pine Journal of Cloquet, Minn., pose with Forum Communications Co. President Bill Marcil and their MNA awards.

• Typography & Design; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pine Journal; third place

• Sports Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pine Journal; third place

• Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Pine Journal; second place

• Social Issue Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Jana Peterson; “The Drug Problem in Carlton County;” third place

• Sports Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Jamie Lund; “Minnesota Wilderness forward Eric Brenk gets tripped up?;” third place

• Photo Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Jamie Lund; “Nordic skiers give their all at Pine Valley;” third place

• Category X; Cops & Courts; Weeklies over 2,500; Pine Journal; third place

Red Wing Republican Eagle

• Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Red Wing Republican Eagle; second place

• Website; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Red Wing Republican Eagle; first place

• Best Use of Video; Weeklies over 2,500; first place

South Washington County Bulletin

• Sports Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000; South Washington County Bulletin; first place

• Headline Writing; weeklies 2,501-5,000; South Washington County Bulletin; third place

• Feature Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Emily Buss; “Flag;” first place

• Feature Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Emily Buss; “Sheryl Crow;” second place

• Photo Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Scott Wente, Emily Buss & William Loeffler; “Concert;” first place

Wadena Pioneer Journal

• Local Breaking News Coverage; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Bryce Haugen; “Unprecedented, the flood story;” first place

• Portrait and Personality Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Bryce Haugen; “Mary brown 11/28/13;” first place

• New Journalist of the Year; all weeklies; Bryce Haugen; third place

Woodbury Bulletin

• Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Woodbury Bulletin; third place

• Arts and Entertainment Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000; Amber Kispert-Smith; “The curtain closes;” second place

• General Excellence; Weeklies 2,501-5,000; Woodbury Bulletin; first place