Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sun garners 15 top awards in 2006 state press contest

Las Vegas Sun

The Las Vegas Sun has won 15 first-place journalism awards of a possible 39 in the Nevada Press Association's 2006 Better Newspaper Contest, including the Sun's fourth community service award in the last six years. The results were announced last night at an awards banquet at the South Coast.

The Sun led all of the state's big daily newspapers in the contest's 25 writing, reporting and editing categories, with 14 first-place awards. Of the other 11 such categories, the Las Vegas Review-Journal won six, the Reno Gazette-Journal won four and the Lahontan Valley News won one.

The Sun fared less well in the 13 photo, design and graphics categories, winning one. The Review-Journal won seven of these and the Reno paper won four.

The NPA contest has 47 categories, including eight for advertising.

The Sun doesn't have an advertising staff, and does not enter this part of the contest.

"This is a wonderful showing by the Sun," said Michael J. Kelley, Sun managing editor. "I have always believed that the community service award was the most important to win, and to have won it for the fourth time in the last six years says a lot about the contribution the Sun makes to Las Vegas through our journalism.

"Three of our four affiliate newspapers eligible for other parts of this contest also won community service awards, which says a lot about the effort the Greenspun family, owner of the Sun and the affiliates, makes to improve the quality of life, and public life especially, in this valley.

"I am very proud of our staff and the staffs of our affiliates for the good work they have done and will continue to do."

The Reno Gazette-Journal won the top overall award, general excellence, which is judged partly on advertising content. The Reno paper won 11 other first-place awards, including three of the eight advertising categories.

The Review-Journal won 16 first-place awards overall, including three in the advertising categories.

The Nevada Appeal in Carson City won one first-place award, for Page One design. The Lahontan Valley News' award was for editorial of the year, a category open to all newspapers in the state.

The Sun's sister publication, In Business Las Vegas, won four first-place awards and 13 awards overall in the contest for midsized weekly publications.

Among the first-place awards, the Sun won:

The Sun's stories led to the LVCVA hiring a San Francisco law firm to investigate the deal. The authority's board eventually rescinded the agreement and pledged not to sell its trademarks again.

These stories also won a second-place award in the community service category. Judges of that category noted that the Sun "played a classic watchdog role here, taking on a powerful, secretive agency and taking the story to a satisfying conclusion."

Sun reporters actually swept the last two categories, taking first, second and third places in both.

The judges said the Sun's business coverage was "the clear winner." "Depth of coverage was the winning point," the judges wrote. "Business stories had lots of research that show stories in contrast."

The judges called the story "compelling," and said Koch told a story of "one moment in the lives of a loving family, (which) stuck with us."

Judges wrote that the Sun's editorial page showed "ambitious content," and noted there is "lots of reader input, (and a) nice mix of political and personal viewpoints."

Clayton's work was praised as being "powerful, concise."

The Sun has won best nonstaff column four times in the last five years. Political columnist Jon Ralston won the other three times.

Overall the Sun won 39 awards.

In the midsized weekly category, In Business took first for overall design (Sun Deputy Managing Editor Bill Gaspard designed this paper before he came to work for the Sun), page designer (Wade McAferty) and information graphic (Adam Bucci). In Business also won for best special section advertising.

Other sister publications of the Sun also won awards in the contest:

Complete list of Nevada Press Association award winners

Here's the list of winners in the Nevada Press Association 2006 Better Newspaper Contest, announced Saturday night at the newspaper organization's annual convention at the South Coast.

Most of the awards are divided among five classes: Class I, Daily Newspapers with circulation of 15,000 or more; Class II, Daily Newspapers with circulation of less than 15,000; Class III, Weekly Newspapers with circulation of 6,000-19,999; Class IV, Weekly Newspapers with circulation of less than 6,000; and Class V, Weekly Newspapers with circulation of 25,000 or more. Advertising awards are divided into two classes of competition Daily Newspapers and Weekly Newspapers.

General Excellence

First Place: Class I (Daily Newspapers with circulation of 15,000 or more) Reno Gazette-Journal. Judges comments: Strong in-depth local and national coverage. Good op-ed pages. Deep and varied sports coverage.

First Place: Class II (Daily Newspapers with circulation of less than 15,000) Elko Daily Free Press. Judges comments: Good state coverage; fresh layout; strong op-ed and business sections.

First Place: Class III (Weekly Newspapers with circulation of 5,000-19,999) The Record-Courier (Gardnerville).

First Place: Class IV (Weekly Newspapers with circulation of less than 5,000) Mason Valley News (Yerington).

First Place: Class V (Weekly Newspapers with circulation of 20,000 or more) Reno News & Review. Judges comments: Great coverage. Shows that alternative can be so much more than rock and roll. Controversy and quirky personals.

Second Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Fallon Star Press; Class IV Boulder City News; Class V Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class III Pahrump Valley Times; Class IV Battle Mountain Bugle.

Outstanding Journalist

Daily Newspapers: Benjamin Grove, Las Vegas Sun. Judges comments: Lively, intelligent coverage that puts Washington news in context. Helps the reader feel shes on the scene.

Weekly Newspapers: Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife. Judges comments: Outstanding journalism is about ferreting out tough issues, bringing it home to the community and helping to effect change to benefit that community. Matt has done all that with style and astounding tenacity.

Story of the Year

Ed Koch, Las Vegas Sun. Married couple brought together for the final hours Judges comments: It may seem unusual that we passed much meatier stories and selected this one. Many of the entries show excellence in reporting and research. But the criteria here was compelling. And this story, that describes, ultimately, one moment in the lives of a loving family, stuck with us.

Honorable Mention: Kurt Hildebrand, The Record-Courier. Firefighters rescue burning feline

Photo of the Year

David Parker, Reno Gazette-Journal. Woman dies in fire

Editorial of the Year

Steve Lyon, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon). Ward thumbed his nose at the law Judges comments: Well constructed. Nice argument. Extremely clear.

Ad of the Year

Sherry Smith and Rebecca Enerson, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.). California Sushi Bar Got Hooked? Judges comments: Original design. Good headline. Effective message.

Journalist of Merit

Class I: Jaclyn OMalley, Reno Gazette-Journal. Judges comments: Amazing repertoire of writing and reporting skills hard to believe shes a newcomer to the field!

Class II: Josh Johnson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon). Judges comments: Well rounded portfolio shows Joshs outstanding writing and reporting skills.

Class III: Nicole Lucht, Henderson Home News. Judges comments: Nicoles clips show versatility, stamina, thoroughness and solid writing all very important skills for an up-and-coming journalist.

Class V: Shelly Donahue, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas). Judges comments: Shellys photos just made my jaw drop in awe. Her work has that journalistic quality of telling the story within the story.

Community Service

First Place : Class I Las Vegas Sun; Class II Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Henderson Home News; Class IV Boulder City News; Class V Las Vegas Weekly.

Second Place : Class I Las Vegas Sun; Class II (TIE) Elko Daily Press and Lahontan Valley News; Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV The Humboldt Sun; Class V Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Reno Gazette-Journal; Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class V Las Vegas CityLife.

Honorable Mention: Class I Reno Gazette-Journal.

Freedom of the Press

Daily Newspapers Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Weekly Newspapers High Desert Advocate.

Best Spot News Story

First Place : Class I Staff, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II William Ferchland and Jeff Munson, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Alanna Lungren, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Jennifer Larson, The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca); Class V Kat Kerlin and Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review .

Second Place: Class I Omar Sofradzija, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Marlene Garcia, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Kurt Hildebrand, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Beth Clifton, Lovelock Review-Miner; Class V Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife .

Third Place: Class I Benjamin Grove, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Jeff Munson, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Sheila Gardner, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Honorable Mention: Class I Metro Staff, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class IV Staff, High Desert Advocate.

Best Feature Story

First Place : Class I Paul Harasim, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II William Ferchland, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Kara Fox, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Siobhan McAndrew, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II William Ferchland, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Sheila Gardner, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Beth Clifton, Lovelock Review-Miner; Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Michael Squire, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Marianne Kobak, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Anne McMillin, Fallon Star Press; Class IV Forrest Newton, Battle Mountain Bugle; Class V Damon Hodge, Las Vegas Weekly.

Honorable Mention: Class II Janine Kearney, Sparks Tribune; Class III Christine Stanley, Sierra Sun (Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Jan Ehlert, Battle Mountain Bugle; Class V Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife.

Best Business Coverage

First Place : Class I Las Vegas Sun; Class II Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Boulder City News.

Second Place: Class I Nevada Appeal ( Carson City); Class III In Business Las Vegas; Class IV Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier.

Third Place: Class III Henderson Home News.

Honorable Mention: Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville).

Best Business News Story

First Place: Class I Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Adella Harding, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Valerie Miller, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Pete Fowler, Ely Times; Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Jeff Munson, Amanda Fehd and Tim Parsons, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Arnold Knightly, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Lauren Ramano, View Neighborhood Newspapers (Las Vegas).

Third Place: Class I Liz Benston and Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun; Class III Liz Benston, In Business Las Vegas; Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Honorable Mention: Class I Kevin Rademacher, Las Vegas Sun; Class III Richard N. Velotta, In Business Las Vegas.

Best Business Feature Story

First Place : Class I Jennifer Shubinski, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Josh Johnson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Valerie Miller, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Andrew Kiraly, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Marlene Garcia, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III David McKee, Las Vegas Business Press; Class V R.V. Scheide, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Liz Benston, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Christy Lattin, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Richard N. Vellota, In Business Las Vegas; Class V Brad Bynum, Reno News & Review.

Honorable Mention: Class I Bill ODriscoll, Reno Gazette-Journal and Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Best Explanatory Journalism

First Place : Class I Hal Rothman, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Josh Johnson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Sharlene Irete, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Kent Harper, Ely Times; Class V Kevin Cupp, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Timothy Pratt, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Amanda Fehd, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Abigail Goldman, Henderson Home News; Class IV Forrest Newton, Battle Mountain Bugle; Class V (TIE) Kat Kerlin, Reno News & Review and Steve Sebelius, George Knapp, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Martha Bellisle, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Josh Johnson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Tony Illia, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Beth Clifton, Lovelock Review-Miner.

Honorable Mention: Class III Sheila Gardner, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Michelle Willms, Lovelock Review-Miner; Class V Stephanie Perry, Reno News & Review.

Best News Feature Story

First Place: Class I Timothy Pratt, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Adella Harding, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III David Bunker, Sierra Sun (Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Emmily Bristol, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Christina Littlefield, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Janine Kearney, Sparks Tribune; Class III Nicole Feneberg Lucht, Henderson Home News; Class IV Betty Aleck, Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier; Class V D. Brian Burghart, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Launce Rake, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Jeremy Evans, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Sheila Gardner, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Ben Stephens, Boulder City News; Class V Damon Hodge, Las Vegas Weekly.

Honorable Mention: Class I Omar Sofradzija, Las Vegas Review-Journal and Don Cox, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class III Nicole Feneberg Lucht, Henderson Home News.

Best Investigative or In-Depth Story

First Place: Class I Jeff German and Steve Kanigher, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Marlene Garcia, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III David McKee, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Staff, High Desert Advocate (Wendover); Class V Emmily Bristol, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Alison Bath and Jim Sloan, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Marianne Kobak, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Abigail Goldman, Henderson Home News; Class IV Staff, High Desert Advocate (Wendover); Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Lisa Kim Bach, Frank Geary, David McGrath Schwartz, Adrienne Packer, Sean Whaley and Frank Curreri, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Susan Wood, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class IV Forrest Newton, Battle Mountain Bugle; Class V D. Brian Burghart, Reno News & Review.

Honorable Mention: Class I Jim Sloan, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class III Susie Vasquez, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class V Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife.

Best Local Column

First Place: Class I Cory Farley, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Jim Scripps, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Doug McMurdo, Pahrump Valley Times; Class IV Tim OCallaghan, Boulder City News; Class V Steve Sebelius, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Tom Gorman, Las Vegas Sun; Class II David Henley, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Colleen OCallaghan-Miele, Henderson Home News; Class IV Dave Sanford, Mason Valley News (Yerington).

Third Place: Class I John Dimambro, Nevada Appeal ( Carson City); Class II Steve Lyon, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Bruce Spotleson, In Business Las Vegas .

Honorable Mention: Class I Jane Ann Morrison, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Liz Benston, In Business Las Vegas.

Best Local Non-Staff Column

First Place: Class I Hal Rothman, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Glen McAdoo, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III (TIE) Stefani Evans, Henderson Home News; McAvoy Layne, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza; Class IV Terri Choate, Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier; Class V Larry Wills, View Neighborhood Newspapers (Las Vegas).

Second Place: Class I Steven Kalas, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Richard Filippe, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Michael Green, Las Vegas Business Press; Class IV Bill Erin, Boulder City News; Class V Deidre Pike, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Erin Breen, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class IV Jim Andersen, Battle Mountain Bugle; Class V Deborah Wall, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Honorable Mention: Class III Marie Johnson, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville).

Best Local Sports Story

First Place : Class I Patrick Everson, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Steve Yingling, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Alex Close, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Dave Woodson, Lovelock Review-Miner; Class V Damon Hodge, Las Vegas Weekly.

Second Place : Class I Matt Youmans, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Jeremy Evans, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Sylas Wright, Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Robert Perea, Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier; Class V Kris Vagner, Reno News & Review.

Third Place : Class I Jeff Wolf, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Steve Ranson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Jared Harmon, Henderson Home News; Class IV Jared Harmon, Boulder City News; Class V Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife.

Honorable Mention: Class I Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class V Kris Vagner, Reno News & Review.

Best Local Sports Feature

First Place: Class I Steve Carp, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Mike Christensen, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Matt Rybaltowski, Henderson Home News; Class IV Jared Harmon, Boulder City News; Class V Matt OBrien, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Ed Koch, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Steve Yingling, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Matt Rybaltowski, Henderson Home News; Class IV Robert Perea, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Fred Couzens, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Third Place: Class I Rob Miech, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Aaron Retherford, Sparks Tribune; Class III Emma Garrard, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza ( Incline Village); Class IV Dave Woodson, Lovelock Review-Miner; Class V Kevin Stott, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Honorable Mention: Class I Dan Hinxman, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Jeremy Evans, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Ray Brewer, Henderson Home News; Class V Kevin Stott, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Best Local Sports Column

First Place: Class I Ron Kantowski, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Mike Christensen, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Sylas Wright, Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Jared Harmon, Boulder City News.

Second Place: Class I Joe Hawk, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Steve Yingling, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe); Class III Ray Brewer, Henderson Home News; Class IV Ray Brewer, Boulder City News.

Third Place: Class I Joe Santoro, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Steve Ranson, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Raymond Brewer, Henderson Home News; Class IV Robert Perea, Mason Valley News (Yerington).

Honorable Mention: Class I Darrell Moody, Nevada Appeal (Carson City).

Best Entertainment Writing

First Place: Class I Tom Gorman, Las Vegas Sun; Class III Aleza Freeman, Henderson Home News; Class IV Joshua Primack, Boulder City News; Class V Andrew Kiraly, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Sonya Padgett, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Jonni Hill, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Corinne Copelan, High Desert Advocate (Wendover); Class V Angie Parkinson, View Neighborhood Newspapers (Las Vegas).

Third Place: Class I Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class III Eric Ruiz, Desert Valley Times (Mesquite); Class V Jeannette Catsoulis, Las Vegas CityLife.

Best Critical Writing

First Place: Class I Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class V Greg Beato, Las Vegas Weekly.

Second Place: Class I Glenn Cook, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class V Katie Anania, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Heidi Knapp Rinella, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class V Kevin Capp, Las Vegas CityLife.

Honorable Mention: Class I Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal.

Best Editorial Writing

First Place: Class I David Clayton, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Jeffry Mullins, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Jean R. Norman, Henderson Home News; Class IV Jean R. Norman, Boulder City News; Class V D. Brian Burghart, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Vin Suprynowicz, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Jim Scripps, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III John Fritz, Henderson Home News; Class IV Kent Harper, Ely Times; Class V Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Susan Snyder, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Steve Lyon, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Jamie Bate, Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.).

Best Editorial Page

First Place :Class I Las Vegas Sun; Class II Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Henderson Home News; Class IV The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca).

Second Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Battle Mountain Bugle.

Third Place: Class III Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Boulder City News.

Best Overall Design

First Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III In Business Las Vegas; Class IV Boulder City News; Class V Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class III Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Ely Times; Class V Las Vegas Weekly.

Best Page One Design

First Place: Class I Nevada Appeal (Carson City); Class II Elko Daily Free Press; Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Boulder City News; Class V Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Henderson Home News; Class IV The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca); Class V View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Third Place: Class III Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Las Vegas Weekly.

Honorable Mention: Class V Reno News & Review.

Best Page Designer(s)

First Place : Class I Ched Whitney, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Mike Christensen and Martin Harris, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Wade McAferty, In Business Las Vegas; Class IV Joshua Primack, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Phil Wooley, Nevada Appeal (Carson City); Class II Steve Ranson and Thomas Ranson, Lahontan Valley News; Class III Joey Crandall and Shannon Litz, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV J. Carmen Kofoed and David Gouger, Battle Mountain Bugle ; Class V Benjamen Purvis, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Mal Van Valkenburg, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Keith Sheffield, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Aleze Freeman, Boulder City News; Class V Wesley Gatbonton, Las Vegas Weekly.

Best Special Section Editorial

First Place: Class I Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Sparks Tribune; Class III The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca); Class V Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III In Business Las Vegas; Class IV Boulder City News; Class V Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Class I Las Vegas Review-Journal ; Class II Sparks Tribune; Class III Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.); Class IV Battle Mountain Bugle.

Honorable Mention: Class I Las Vegas Sun.

Best Information Graphic

First Place : Class I Mike Johnson, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Adam Bucci, In Business Las Vegas; Class V David Jayne, Reno News & Review.

Second Place : Class I Adam Bucci, Las Vegas Sun; Class III Nick Christensen, Henderson Home News; Class V Wesley Gatbonton, Las Vegas Weekly.

Third Place: Class I Adam Bucci, Las Vegas Sun; Class III Nick Christensen, Henderson Home News.

Best Illustration

First Place : Class I Mark Antonuccio, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Jonni Hill, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class V Rick Sealock, Reno News & Review.

Second Place : Class I Mike Johnson, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class III Adam Bucci, In Business Las Vegas; Class V Danny Roberts, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I David Stroud, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class V Benjamen Purvis, Las Vegas Weekly.

Best Spot News Photo Coverage

First Place: Class I David Parker, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Horace Langford Jr., Pahrump Valley Times; Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V (TIE) Clay Myers, Las Vegas CityLife and David Robert, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Marilyn Newton, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Emma Garrard, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza ( Incline Village); Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Mason Valley News (Yerington).

Third Place: Class I Brad Horn, Nevada Appeal (Carson City); Class II Jim Grant, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Belinda Grant, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Betty Aleck, Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier.

Best General News Photo

First Place: Class I Lisa J. Tolda, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Jim Grant, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Leila Navidi, Henderson Home News; Class IV Sara Tramiel, Boulder City News; Class V (TIE) Shelly Donahue, View Neighborhood Newspapers and Dash T. Himake, Las Vegas Weekly.

Second Place: Class I David Parker, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Debra Reid, Sparks Tribune; Class III Belinda Grant, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Keith Trout, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Todd Lussier, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I R. Marsh Starks, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Mike Stotts, Henderson Home News; Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News.

Best Feature Photo

First Place: Class I John Locher, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Debra Reid, Sparks Tribune; Class III Court Leve, Tahoe World; Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V David Robert, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Cathleen Allison, Nevada Appeal (Carson City); Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Leila Navidi, Henderson Home News; Class IV Mike Stotts, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Sam Morris, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Kim Lamb, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Emma Garrard, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza; Class IV Sara Tramiel, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Best Multiple Feature Photos

First Place: Class I Clint Karlsen, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Jim Grant, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Shannon Litz, The Record-Courier; Class IV Mike Stott, Boulder City News; Class V David Calvert and Jennifer Sande, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Brad Horn, Nevada Appeal (Carson City); Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Mike Stotts, Henderson Home News; Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I John Locher, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Emma Garrard, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza (Incline Village); Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Keith Trout and Robert Perea, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Honorable Mention: Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press.

Best Portrait

First Place: Class I R. Marsh Starks, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Leila Navidi, Henderson Home News; Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Steve Marcus, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Kim Lamb, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Sara Tramiel, Henderson Home News; Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Todd Lussier, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Clint Karlsen, Las Vegas Review-Journal ; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Court Leve, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Betty Aleck, Fernley Leader-Dayton Courier; Class V Shelly Donahue, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Honorable Mention: Class I John Locher, Las Vegas Review-Journal ;Class III Marilyn Newton, Fallon Star Press; Class V Benjamen Purvis, Las Vegas Weekly.

Best Illustrated Photo

First Place : Class I Christine Wetzel, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Ross Andrson, Elko Daily Free Press; Class III Shannon Litz, Joey Crandall and Kurt Hildebrand, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville); Class IV Beth Clifton, Lovelock Review-Miner ; Class V David Robert, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Class I Christine Wetzel, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Class II Dan Thrift, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Third Place: Class I Steve Marcus, Las Vegas Sun; Class IV Patrick Abanathy, Mason Valley News (Yerington); Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Best Sports Photo

First Place: Class I Liz Margerum, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Kim Lamb, Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Class III Horace Langford Jr., Pahrump Valley Times; Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Second Place: Class I Andy Barron, Reno Gazette-Journal; Class II Jim Grant, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Sara Tramiel, Henderson Home News; Class IV Sara Tramiel, Boulder City News; Class V Marlene Karas, View Neighborhood Newspapers (Las Vegas).

Third Place: Class I Sam Morris, Las Vegas Sun; Class II Dan Thrift, Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Class III Alex Close, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.); Class IV Leila Navidi, Boulder City News; Class V Bill Hughes, Las Vegas CityLife.

Honorable Mention: Class I R. Marsh Starks, Las Vegas Sun; Class V Ronda Churchill, View Neighborhood Newspapers ( Las Vegas).

Best Headline Writing

First Place: Daily Newspapers Steve Moore, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Aleza Freeman, Boulder City News.

Second Place: Daily Newspapers John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Sun; Weekly Newspapers Kurt Hildebrand, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville).

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Matthew Crowley, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Kat Kerlin, Reno News & Review.

Honorable Mention: Weekly Newspapers Jason Scavone, Henderson Home News.

Advertising General Excellence

First Place : Daily Newspapers Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.).

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Reno News & Review.

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Lahontan Valley News (Fallon); Weekly Newspapers North Lake Tahoe Bonanza ( Incline Village).

Best Large-Space Ad

First Place : Daily Newspapers Kathy Webb, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Lauren Shearer, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.).

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Terri DeLaRosby, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Lori Lambert, Henderson Home News.

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Andrew Van Wie, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Keith Sheffield, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.).

Best Black-and-White Ad

First Place: Daily Newspapers John Simon, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Weekly Newspapers Dori Koven and Shannon Carpenter, Henderson Home News.

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Judy Scudder and Chris Slabaugh, Nevada Appeal ( Carson City); Weekly Newspapers Travis Ambrose, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza ( Incline Village).

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Lynne Adamson, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Lauren Shearer, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.).

Honorable Mention: Weekly Newspapers Lauren Shearer, Tahoe World ( Tahoe City, Calif.).

Best Spot Color Ad

First Place: Daily Newspapers Amber Ealy-Oatman, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Ellen Aker and Terrie Stersic, The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca).

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Kathy Webb, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Heather Adams, Pahrump Valley Times.

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Barbara Bogart, Elko Daily Free Press; Weekly Newspapers Shelly Gerhard and Roz Ellifritz, The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca).

Honorable Mention: Weekly Newspapers Ellen Aker and J. Carmen Kofoed, The Humboldt Sun (Winnemucca).

Best Multi-Color Ad

First Place: Daily Newspapers Teri Hogue and Amber Ealy-Oatman, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Carlene Large, Fallon Star Press.

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Kathy Webb, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Dori Koven and Shannon Carpenter, Henderson Home News.

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Sheli Stump, Elko Daily Free Press; Weekly Newspapers Mary Weaver and Julie Franklin, The Record-Courier (Gardnerville).

Best Special Section Advertising

First Place: Daily Newspapers Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers In Business Las Vegas.

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Tahoe Daily Tribune ( South Lake Tahoe, Calif.); Weekly Newspapers Sierra Sun ( Truckee, Calif.).

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers North Lake Tahoe Bonanza ( Incline Village).

Honorable Mention: Weekly Newspapers North Lake Tahoe Bonanza (Incline Village).

Best In-House Advertising Promotion

First Place: Daily Newspapers Michael Rollman, Taylor Smith and Anne Petrik, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Andrea Diaz Vaughn, Reno News & Review.

Second Place: Daily Newspapers Anne Petrik and Michael Rollman, Reno Gazette-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Jolene Callinan and Cindy Xander, Fallon Star Press.

Third Place: Daily Newspapers Mike Miller, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Weekly Newspapers Kit Sweeney, In Business Las Vegas.

Honorable Mention: Daily Newspapers Mike Miller and David Hjelm, Las Vegas Review-Journal ; Weekly Newspapers Keith Sheffield, Tahoe World (Tahoe City, Calif.).

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