PAPER
WINS AWARDS • Rebecca Dopp and
Mariann Gibson display the awards The
Times-News received in the Better
Newspaper Contest.
By Rebecca Dopp
Times-News Correspondent
The Times-News came home from the 2005 Utah Press
Association's Winter Convention in St. George with seven
awards in tow. The newspaper competed in the Group I
category (circulation of less than 2,000) in the Better
Newspaper Contest. Newspapers from around the state
submit entries in over 22 categories. Categories range
from writing to photography to advertising.
The newspaper was awarded 1st place in the Best R.O.P.
Ad Campaign category which featured three display ads for
Greenline Equipment during the Christmas season.
Three 2nd place awards were given for Best Feature
Column--"Snippets", written by Rebecca Dopp; Best Photo
Page--Juab High School's Homecoming Game; and Best
Lifestyles Page--"Happenings", featuring weddings, new
babies, etc.
The newspaper also received three 3rd place awards for
the following categories: Best News Coverage--an overall
look at news coverage from three pre-selected editions;
Best General News Story--an article about PacifiCorp; and
Best Sports Column--"Sports Shorts" written by Heath
Dopp.
"I think we did very well," said publisher Allan
Gibson.
H. Dopp was very surprised when his column was
announced 3rd place in its category.
"Not bad, for being my first year [writing],"
he said.
Although the judges' comments were not always kind,
they did give insight to how the newspaper can improve
its publication.
The ultimate goal of each newspaper is to receive the
General Excellence Award in their group. In Group I, the
Sanpete Messenger took home the award for the second year
in a row.
The award that no one wants to receive is the Screw-up
of the Year. All newspapers compete in this category. The
recipient of this year's award went to the Tooele
Transcript Bulletin for an article titled, "Bear faces
in-depth probe, ordered to appear in court". No
explanation was needed.
