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Local newspaper earns some prestigious honors at statewide conference
KEARNEY — The Randolph Times was honored Saturday for producing the best daily or weekly newspaper editorial in the state.
Only one such award is handed out each year. This marks the second year in a row a Northeast Nebraska News Company newspaper has earned the honor.
The Randolph Times earned that distinction for an editorial by Editor Trisha Benton urging school district patrons to vote in favor of a school improvement bond election.
Last year, the Cedar County News was deemed as having the best editorial of any daily or weekly newspaper in the state.
This year’s contest, judged by the North Carolina Press Association, consisted of 1,983 entries from newspapers of all sizes from across the state.
The event brought together newspaper professionals from across the state to recognize outstanding work, lifelong achievement, and the future of the industry through a series of prestigious awards and scholarships.
Also at Saturday evening’s banquet, the Nebraska Press Association and Nebraska Press Advertising Service boards of directors thanked outgoing presidents Rob Dump, co-publisher of Cedar County News, Laurel Advocate,Randolph Times and Osmond Republican, and Dee Klein of Lee Enterprises for their leadership on the boards.
The incoming NPA president is John Erickson, publisher of the Bridgeport News-Blade, and the incoming NPAS president is Lynell Morgan, co-publisher of the Elgin Review.
The Randolph Times earned six other awards. The Times earned a first-place plaque for news writing for its coverage of the city’s time without a certified law enforcement officer on staff. The Times also earned a first-place award for the quality of its front page.
The Times picked up a second-place plaque for its in-depth reporting of the school bond issue. Another second-place plaque was awarded to the Times for its reader interaction contests.
The Times also picked up third place plaques for Benton’s feature story on Randolph’s retiring police chief and for her work in covering the Jason Jones murder trial.
Two other Northeast Nebraska News Company newspapers also earned honors Saturday.
Cedar County News was named as one of the top community newspapers in the state when the Nebraska Press Association celebrated the best in Nebraska journalism Saturday.
The Cedar County News earned eight firstplace plaques, seven second-place plaques and five third-place plaques.
In all, the Cedar County News earned 20 awards at the annual banquet.
The Cedar County News was also honored this year with the Freedom of Information award.
The prize is awarded each year to only one Nebraska daily or weekly newspaper — regardless of size. The News earned the award for its efforts to make sure the quadruple murder trial of Jason Jones remained open to the public and the media.
Judges were impressed with the way the News approached the trial, making sure it would remain open after hearing the judge and attorneys discussing the possibility of ‘shielding’ some evidence.
“Good coverage of what sounds like a horrific case,” judges wrote. “Congratulations for your willingness to fight the good fight.”
The Laurel Advocate also picked up statewide recognition Saturday night during the annual convention.
The Advocate won four awards during the Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest competition.
The Laurel newspaper picked up a first-place plaque for Sandra Cross’s photo of the demolition of the City Auditorium. The Advocate also won a first-place plaque for Roger Tryon’s look at the history of that building.
Tryon also earned a first-place certificate for the Cedar County News for his series on the creation of the Gavin’s Point Dam.
Benton also earned a second-place plaque for her coverage of the Jason Jones trial and subsequent conviction of the quadruple murders here in 2022.
The Cedar County News also earned a second- place plaque for general Excellence. The judge’s commented that the News’ dedication to sticking to an important story really stood out.
The Cedar County News was also singled out for its editorial page and its editorial writing.
The News editorial page claimed first place honors among the largest 35 newspapers in the state, while its editorial writing picked up a second-place plaque.
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