West Central Tribune wins 23 awards in Minnesota's Better Newspaper Contest

Kelly Boldan, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·4 min read

Feb. 10—BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The West Central Tribune received 23 awards in the Minnesota Newspaper Association's

2021-22 Better Newspaper Content

.

Competing in the Multi-Day 5,001-10,000 circulation category, the West Central Tribune earned the following awards which were announced on Jan. 26 at the association's annual convention:

* General Excellence, second, staff, judge's comment: "Excellent design and variety of coverage/reporting."

* Special Section, second place, staff,

Honoring our Heroes,

judge's comments: "There were a lot of really good entries in this category. This was tough to decide."

* Typography and Design, third place, staff, judge's comment: "The photos were good and well-played throughout the paper."

* Editorial Page as a Whole, third place, staff.

* General Reporting, third place, staff, judge's comment "Nice content across the pages."

* Use of Photography as a Whole, third place, staff, judge's comment: "Nice weather shots"

* Headline writing, third place, staff

* Best Magazine, third, staff,

Summer Fun

.

* Feature Photo, first place, Macy Moore,

Beating the summer heat

, judge's comment: "Really great photo with the rain drops and the facial expressions. Good focus and composition.

* Institutional Advertisement, first place, Rhea Yeadon and Bethany Loida, South 71 Veterinary Clinic ad, judge's comment: "Great use of fun puns and easy to read typeface makes this the clear winner. Great job, Rhea and Bethany."

* Press Photographer's Portfolio, second place, Macy Moore, judge's comment: (The photographer showed) a wide range of ability and sees the image as a story in itself."

* Use of Color in Advertising, second place, Rhea Yeadon and Mollie Burlingame, Jane Vikse Real Estate ad, judge's comment: "The colors coordinate well and draw the reader in."

* Best Advertisement, second place, Rhea Yeadon and Tasha Kenyon, Emporia Suits ad, judge's comment: "Less bold font and more fine font with the great graphics would add to the high-end effect. Beautiful ad."

* Design Portfolio, second place, Paula Chhetri, judge's comment: "Nice photos, well played. Good headlines."

* Business Story, second place, Tom Cherveny, story:

Minnesota company leads our evolution on the ice.

* Arts and Entertainment Story, second place, Shelby Lindrud, story:

It is a gnome of a good time in Dawson, Minnesota

, judge's comment: "This is a great story — it was well-written with a nice flow. Kinda makes me wish I lived close enough to visit!"

* News Photo, second place, Macy Moore, story:

Vigil for Isaac — Olivia comes together to try and make sense of tragic stabbing of teenager,

judge's comment: "This one grabs at your heartstrings and just pulls. It's well-done, not intrusive and tells the story."

* Feature Photo, third place,

Celebrating Life — Upper Sioux Community holds traditional Wacip

i, judge's comment: "Nice silhouette which illustrates the story. Good focus and composition."

* Sports Story, third place, Tom Elliot, story:

College hockey: Ex-Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato star is back on the ice with Minnesota State, at least temporarily,

judge's comment: "Amazing work on this article. The encouragement and passion that was shown is AMAZING. The story showed details of the struggles and, even, nerves it took."

* Use of Color in Advertising, third place, Rhea Yeadon and Chris Johnson, The Oaks at Eagle Creek ad, judge's comment: "Color should make you feel something and these colors make one feel calm and peaceful, which I think this event was about"

* Local Breaking News, third place, Jennifer Kotila, story:

Blomkest, Minnesota, volunteer firefighter died Thursday while on his way to storm-watching duty,

judge's comment: "I thought the reporter did a good job of focusing on the necessary details of a breaking news story that most definitely got a lot of readership, while also adding in the human element of background on the deceased."

* Government/Public Affairs Reporting, third place, Shelby Lindrud, story:

Willmar going native with new wildflower plantings in city parks,

judge's comment: "I like the focus on a project that's not the normal things we hear about, like roads or bridges."

* Institutional Advertisement, third place, Rhea Yeadon and Andy Goble, Glacial Waters Wellness ad, judge's comment "This ad stood out as a spa ad. It did just what it was supposed to do, and rather handily because of the great color scheme."