Record Searchlight honored for Dixie Fire coverage; reporter recognized for individual achievement
The Record Searchlight’s coverage of last summer's Dixie Fire took top honors in the Breaking News Division III category of the annual Best of Gannett awards on Thursday.
Judges celebrated the Record Searchlight for its “outstanding” reporting of the massive wildfire, which burned nearly 1 million acres in portions of Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta and Tehama counties and is the second-largest fire in state history.
"Here in the North State, we live with the knowledge that wildfires could burn into our neighborhoods any time of the year. First responders work the front lines to keep us safe, but information also saves lives — and the Record Searchlight is fortunate to have incredibly experienced and dedicated journalists who take their responsibility to the community very seriously. So yes — it’s wonderful to see them recognized as the best among talented peers across the country," Record Searchlight Executive Editor Silas Lyons said.
Read the winning entry:
Dixie Fire grows to 361,000 acres; Chester avoids worst of fire damage, officials report
'I'm going to die': 72-year-old man prepared to shoot himself, dog if he didn't escape Dixie Fire
Dry, hot, windy — Northern California explosive blazes could burn until winter
As Dixie Fire rages in Northern California, questions for PG&E mount
How much is California spending to put out large wildfires? It's rising every year, data shows
Michele Chandler, a senior reporter covering city government and housing issues, was honored in the Individual Achievement category. Chandler was recognized as one of 10 exceptional journalists in the company and cited for her work with Ask the Record Searchlight.
Chandler, with local editor Jenny Espino and senior reporters David Benda and Jessica Skropanic, is part of the team that launched the community-driven journalism effort.
Ask the R-S chats: Garden of Lights, stolen car parts, rancid food - staff faves to wind up 2021
"We’re all very lucky to work with Michele. She’s a pro in every way, and completely dedicated to careful, impartial reporting. Her work alongside Jenny, David, Jessica and the rest of this newsroom helped reconnect us with the community through ‘Ask the R-S’ and gave readers a real voice in our coverage," Lyons said.
"And she took the lead on some of the biggest stories of the year, from the Fawn Fire to the COVID-19 outbreak at a local nursing home," he said.
Read Michele's work:
How COVID-19 swept through this Redding nursing home, killing 23
North State wildland arsonists: What's motivating them to set dangerous fires?
Company hired by insurance firms to keep wildfires away expands in Shasta County
Crystals shine in Mount Shasta City for seekers on spiritual quests
Which counties are pushing hardest to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom? What we know
Redding's community poet, 'Sani on the mic,' brings messages of resilience in rhyme
Record Searchlight education reporter Nada Atieh and two former USA TODAY Network journalists were recognized as finalists in the Enterprise Reporting category for their story, COVID-19's "Lost Kids."
Atieh, who is in her second year at the R-S as a Report for America corps member, and Kristan Obeng, formerly of the Visalia Times-Delta, surveyed 83 school districts in Shasta, Tehama and Tulare counties. Their reporting, led by investigations editor Anjeanette Damon, formerly of the Reno Gazette Journal, begins to uncover the untold number of children who've gone missing from their schools and how the pandemic has only worsened inequality in education.
The annual Best of Gannett awards ceremony highlights the best journalism across the network, which includes more than 200 other publications nationwide.
The competition drew 1,950 nominations. A diverse panel of 42 judges worked in teams to choose the winners and finalists.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Record Searchlight honored for Dixie Fire coverage