Recognition by our peers is the greatest reward for Whidbey News-Times

Published 3:27 pm Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The staff of the Whidbey News-Times has reason to celebrate this week after taking home 11 awards Friday for excellence in journalism.

The honors were bestowed on the newspaper’s staff during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Community newspapers from all across Washington state submitted entries in writing, photography, design and advertising.

Individually, News-Times reporters won various awards for editorial and photography.

Co-editor and longtime News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland won awards for stories that received regional press, such as the sentencing of Joshua Lambert, who was convicted of killing two people.

Judges praised Stensland for taking a more personal approach to the story and having multiple sources.

Her story following Oak Harbor City Council’s handling of felling of the oak tree at the post office was praised for pushing government accountability at the ground level.

Reporter Janis Reid received recognition for stories centered on issues with new Tricare rules and safety concerns around Ala Spit.

For the first time in many years, the News-Times placed in the General Excellence category for its circulation group.

Placing third overall, the newspaper was judged as an entire package — from design and stories to ad placement.

Judges said the News-Times “packs a lot of news on the front page and provides a satisfying variety of coverage.”

Staff was praised for have straightforward news coverage as well as features that have an emotional or community connection.

For the staff, winning general excellence and receiving these comments is especially exciting because it confirms what they strive for every day.

As a newspaper, we strive to provide community journalism that readers care about and have a connection to.

Producing a newspaper twice a week isn’t a simple task. There are many parts and pieces and numerous people involved throughout the process. Knowing that our peers recognize the commitment to quality journalism and serving our community is the greatest reward.