Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter one of two daily papers in state named Best in Division as it collects 14 individual Wisconsin journalism awards
MANITOWOC - Manitowoc's daily newspaper, the Herald Times Reporter, earned the top award in its division in the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.
The paper was one of two daily newspapers in the state named Best in Division — with the HTR winning in Division B for newspapers of daily circulation of less than 9,999 and The Gazette of Janesville winning in Division A for newspapers of daily circulation of at least 10,000.
The HTR's Best in Division award came after the Manitowoc paper won 14 individual awards in the contest, including five first place, three second place, five third place and an honorable mention.
The awards were given March 24 during the WNA's awards ceremony. The HTR competes in Division B, which includes newspapers with daily print circulation of 9,999 or less. The WNA Foundation is a not-for-profit created in 1980 that works to improve Wisconsin’s newspaper enterprises.
The 2022 contest received 2,230 entries from 106 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, and were judged by members of the Arkansas Press Association.
2021 winners: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter wins nine Wisconsin journalism awards, including firsts for sports and government coverage
2020 winners: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter wins 10 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation awards
Here's what to know about the HTR's 2022 awards.
Alisa M. Schafer won two firsts while Tom Dombeck, Gary C. Klein and Amy Meyer also won firsts.
Reporter Alisa M. Schafer won two first-place awards. Her Nov. 10, 2021, article "A changing climate could cost Great Lakes communities billions. Here’s what's being done about it." took first in the Environmental Reporting category. “Solid research coupled with good organization made this story the best,” the judge said. “Good use of documents and experts.”
Schafer also took first place in the Reporting on Local Education category for her stories "A man tried to approach the stage at the Manitowoc School Board meeting Tuesday. It's one of several disruptions in the past year.," "Manitowoc school district readies for new direction under 'fully conservative board' as superintendent plans to leave." and "Manitowoc school board members voted to give themselves key fobs to all district buildings. Here's what happens next." The judge wrote: “Excellent coverage of a school board that seems to be flirting with FOIA violations. Using the quote from the Republican Party man saying he would never comment for anything was a nice touch.”
Sports reporter Tom Dombeck won first place in the Sports Feature Story category for his April 4, 2022, article "'Nothing short of miraculous': Kiel's Kenzie Koppenhaver back on soccer team three months after coma."
“Kenzie was knocked unconscious in a car wreck, was out two weeks with folks thinking she wouldn’t revive, and then the doctor asked what sport she liked and her face lit up when soccer was mentioned,” the judge wrote. “The coach was allowed to visit her and said she had great determination. Then, three months later, she was at spring practice. She could not play but enjoyed working with the team. The writer included several quotes to aid the feature. Obviously, a feature of originality and has quality writing. No doubt this was a story that appealed to readers.”
Photographer/videographer Gary C. Klein won first place in the Artistic Photo category for his Jan. 21, 2022, photo of Jace Seavers taking in the ice-crusted lakefront near Mariners Trail.
And Amy Meyer, executive director of the Manitowoc County Historical Society, earned first place in the Local Column division for her contributions to the "Preserving the Past" local history series. She won for her articles "'Half-way house' on Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Two Rivers was finest in the county," "Manitowoc fire in 1962 was so bright people in Ludington, Michigan, saw light coming from the city." and "This photographer and his trusty horse captured Manitowoc County in photos unlike anyone else at turn of the 20th century."
“Highly readable and informative with interesting art,” the judge wrote. “Essentially the same column as the runner-up but after a day of deliberation I decided these three columns comprised the most compelling entry, by the slightest of margins.”
Bob Fay, Brandon Reid and Gary Klein won second-place awards.
Bob Fay, historian and former executive director of the Manitowoc County Historical Society, was runner-up to Meyer in the Local Column division for his contributions to the "Preserving the Past" series: "Manitowoc County brewery was largest operation found in Wisconsin during Prohibition," "Jens Jensen, internationally renowned landscape architect, designed the original landscape plan for Manitowoc Lincoln High School" and "This Egyptian mausoleum at Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Two Rivers was built in 1914 and remains a focus of curiosity today."
“You’ll get her next time, Bob,” the judge wrote, referring to Meyer’s first-place honor in the category ahead of Fay. “I love both of the top two entries.”
Fay also took second in this category in last year's contest.
Editor Brandon Reid took second in the Community Engagement Award category, which was judged against daily newspapers of all sizes, for his efforts and the paper's efforts to help bring a Boys & Girls Club to Manitowoc.
The judge wrote: “The newspaper took an active role in helping the community get a Boys and Girls Club, including highlighting the need one for one in print, serving on the board making decisions on how to get one and even providing physical office space. Well done!!”
And Klein took second in the General News Photo category for his Oct. 27, 2021, photo of Makayla Green standing amid the burned rubble of the home she had hoped to live in with her grandmother after the home was burned in a fire.
The paper took third place for Localized National Story, Open Records/FOIA Award, Sports Action Photo, Sports Feature Photo and Artistic Photo.
Reporter Patti Zarling scored a third place in the Localized National Story category for her Sept. 28, 2021, article "What do you do when 3,000 hamburger patties don't show up? School districts face COVID-19-related food shortages."
“What a genius story idea!” the judge wrote. “And I love the headline. The reporter does a good job keeping the reader engaged throughout the story.”
Schafer and Reid also teamed up for a third place in the Open Records/FOI Award category, which was judged against daily newspapers of all sizes, for their stories "Manitowoc sheriff says officer 'responded appropriately' after inmate shot in face with stun gun" and "Officer, inmate in Manitowoc County Jail stun gun incident disagree on how it started, records show."
And Klein took third place in the following categories:
Sports Action Photo — For his Aug. 27, 2021, photo of Reedsville's Brennen Dvorachek in a game against Lourdes Academy. “Love flying football players,” the judge said. “Again, some luck with the timing, but a photo this player will keep in his scrapbook for a long time.”
Sports Feature Photo — For his Oct. 15, 2021, photo of Green Bay Southwest's No. 1 doubles Janelle Novotny getting a hug from Mallory Kerhin following their loss to Madison Memorial during the WIAA State Girls Tennis Individual Championships. “Good emotion made this image stand out,” the judge wrote.
Artistic Photo — For his Jan. 21, 2022, photo of an ice fissure on the surface of the Manitowoc River near the Eighth Street bridge.
HTR's 'Savor Manitowoc' series earned an honorable mention.
Schafer and Zarling earned an honorable mention in the Local Column category for their "Savor Manitowoc" series, which features local restaurants. The reporters choose a restaurant to sample their offerings and share their experience with readers. They earned the honorable mention for these columns:
“Restaurant reviewing and food writing is to be encouraged,” the judge wrote, “and the writer has a lively voice and the appropriate enthusiasm.”
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won three awards.
Dating to its first issue published Oct. 19, 1898, the HTR is one of Manitowoc County's oldest businesses. Today, the newspaper is part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, which also includes daily newsrooms in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is also part of the news group.
In addition to the HTR's 15 awards, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won three awards, including one first place:
First Place, Ongoing/Extended Coverage: Staff, for the Home is Here series, a look at the changing demographics of northeast Wisconsin
Third Place, Localized National Story: Madeline Heim, for her story about doctors' views of the impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned
Honorable Mention, Community Engagement Award: Staff, for coverage of the Stock the Shelves fundraising effort to fight hunger in Wisconsin
Our impact
The Herald Times Reporter strives to make a difference in our community. Read our 2022 Community Impact Report and our 2021 Community Impact Report.
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter wins Wisconsin WNA journalism awards
