October 11, 2007

Journal earns 26 state press association awards

By Jennifer Larsen

News editor

Staff members of The Ritzville Adams County Journal garnered accolades and applause for 26 awards in categories of news, advertising design, writing and photography at the 120^th annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association annual convention in Yakima last weekend.

Included in the Friday evening presentation of the Better Newspaper Contest awards, a local community member earned an award for a photograph submitted in July 2006.

Dorothy Clinesmith had captured Peaches, Roy and Karin Clinemith’s dog, ‘chasing’ the resident ducks all over the pond at Warm Springs near Benge. Judges named the black and white scenic photo second place in Groups I-IV combined.

“Really liked this photo, but it probably fits the ‘feature’ category more than ‘scenic,’” one comment read. “Still, it really gets your attention.”

The WNPA presents awards to member newspapers and the staff members of those newspapers at the yearly convention.

Entries were judged by Oklahoma’s press association in keeping with the WNPA’s policy of an out-of-state press association providing judging services, and WNPA will judge Oklahoma’s Better Newspaper Contest this year.

The RACJ competes in Circulation Group I, which is up to 2,500 subscribers. Group II is 2,501 to 5,000 subscribers. (All divisions are Circulation Group I unless otherwise noted.)

Special Sections Division

The entire RACJ staff of Lavonne Saunders, Stephen McFadden, Jennifer Larsen and Melanie Kin Kade were recognized for their efforts for two annual publications that earned top billing in the Special Sections Division.

The Neighbor’s Directory 2007 was named first place out of 14 entries in merchandising in Groups I & II combined. The judges were impressed with the special section, saying “Good information – great idea!”

The 2006 Wheat Land Communities’ Fair and Ritzville Rodeo souvenir program published on Aug. 31, 2006, was first place for special events/festivals out of 10 entries.

News Division

McFadden, publisher of The RACJ, cornered the top two places in breaking news. The March 8, 2007, story, “Raided again, police arrest suspected dealers,” garnered top remarks from the judges.

“A thorough report on the arrest and charging of suspected drug dealers in this Adams County community, and officials’ review of the outcome. Reporter delivered the details from raid to initial court appearances where charges and pleadings were heard. Good detail in this balanced news account.”

Judges said his story “State investigates Life Care, nurses’ aide” from Jan. 11, 2007, was “a complete story” and earned second place in breaking news.

The June 1, 2006, account of the Lind-Ritzville Broncos baseball team losing to DeSales at the state playoffs was named second place for sports news stories.

According to the judges, “Story focuses on critical plays that affect the outcome, provide the details, and weave the drama of a disappointing final for readers… and their Broncos. The writer reflects on the result with the team’s coach who refuses to blame a bad call for the loss. A balanced story by a professional writer who knows the team and the score.”

McFadden penned the first and second place editorial entries with pieces about the old Ritzville High School and future growth in Ritzville.

In “Former high school shouldn’t be abandoned by its owner” from Aug. 10, 2006, judges said McFadden did a good job of stating his case. “Passion and high energy in the writing makes this my pick for first place.”

His second place editorial, “Growth requires better planning, strong leadership” on July 13, 2006, almost ousted the first place entry.

“Good job of laying out the situation and offering a solution by encouraging community involvement as well as urging good judgment on the part of public officials,” the judge said. “I was struggling between making this editorial first or second. McFadden should be wearing a big smile since he almost tied himself.”

Larsen, news editor for the newspaper, kept competition at bay with the top two awards in stories on the arts.

First place was given for the Jan. 4, 2007, article about Lind resident Ron Bolin, local plumber and chainsaw artist.

The judge said the story was a good example of how all stories should read. “Not just the art, but the artisan’s personality are the focus of this exceptional story, crafted by a writer intent on letting the subject connect with readers… without interruption or interference.”

Her story on April 27, 2006, about Lind artist Annie Trunkle-Smart, or Blowtorch Annie, and the sculptures she created for Bloomsday earned second place.

“An arts story that has a purpose: creating sculptures for a special event. Its whimsy is lyrical; the characterization has color shining on readers; and it’s a story that tells readers why, “what” and “how” without shoving our formula in their faces,” the judge wrote. “Creatively written; good selection of metaphors, great detail.”

The 2006 Lind Field Day was the focus of an agriculture story Larsen wrote, which was named first place in that division.

Judges said it was “a comprehensive account summarizing the effects of research on local crop producers… Good use of sources and quotes; good transitions tying the various story elements together.”

After watching the metal detecting hobby reach Eastern Adams County, Larsen’s article “Metal Sleuths – Learning history from the ground up” combined the description and facts well, according to the judge’s comments.

The first place award winner in the general feature story category was published on Aug. 10, 2006.

A business story about Killian’s Country Creamery opening during Lind-Ritzville’s 2006 Homecoming, published on Sept. 28, earned second place.

“You bring the store to life with your descriptions. From the candy jars to the popcorn, you lure the reader’s taste buds to try out the new store,” the judge wrote.

Advertising Division

Saunders garnered third place for her Dec. 7, 2006 ad for the Ritzville Community Theatre production in Moses Lake. “Good use of a distinctive border here,” the judges commented.

Her farm and ranch safety advertisement of July 27, 2006, earned third place for multiple-advertiser ads, black and white or color. An ad soliciting foster parents on Sept. 14, 2006, was third place for classified display single ads in Groups I & II combined.

McFadden’s full-color ad for Sunny Spot Floral and Gifts was named first place for use of process color in an ad. His ad for York Construction was second place for ads using one-spot color plus black.

Third place for use of process color in an ad went to McFadden for an Adams County Economic Development Council advertisement in the Adams County Visitors’ Guide.

Photography Division

The RACJ swept all three awards for best black and white portrait. Brent Larsen’s memorable front-page photo of Emily Rosen and a llama at the 2006 Wheat Land Communities’ Fair garnered first place.

“Thank goodness!” the judges said. “A good photo gets the respect it deserves with proper size. Good work.”

McFadden earned second place for a photograph of reflections seen in sunglasses worn by Miles Athey at the annual Digs Tournament in August 2006.

Jennifer Larsen rounded out the category in third place with a photo of Tina Conner holding her grandson during the Conner harvest bee in August 2006.

“Good emotion captured by photographer,” according to a judge. “Lighting might have been a little better.”

McFadden’s black and white photograph of Jimmy Bartz bull riding during the junior rodeo in July 2006 was named third place in the black and white spot news category for Groups I-IV combined.

“Best rodeo picture I’ve seen in a long time,” the judge wrote.

Larsen earned first and third place for two black and white feature photos in Groups I & II combined.

“Morning Chores,” taken of Mike Doyle at the Conner harvest bee in August 2006, was the first place entry.

According to the judges, “Definitely a step above the typical picture. Dramatic use of backlighting, interesting angle, great cropping and composition. Page layout didn’t do it justice.”

Her photograph of Jordanne Webb painting a pumpkin at the 2006 Ralston Fall Fest in October was named third place.

Larsen’s close-up of LaCrosse-Washtucna Tigercat Hans Guske struggling past a pair of St. John/Endicott Eagles’ defenders in frigid temperatures at St. John on Oct. 27, 2006, garnered second place in black and white sports action.

“Great shot and freeze frame of the moment pain of the hit, ball coming out,” the judge wrote. “Also played well in page design.”