Sidney Herald wins nine awards

The Sidney Herald enjoyed success in the Montana Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest again this year.

The Herald received nine awards in the Division III weeklies/Division I dailies division including two first-place honors. The division includes dailies with a circulation of up to 7,499 and the weeklies with distribution of 3,000 and over.

The first-place showings came for best editorial page and best on-line product.
Judge’s comments for best editorial page included: “An almost flawless layout and flow. Content meets a wide range of needs and interests.”

Judge’s comment for best on-line product included: “Very interactive and visually stimulating.”

The Herald received honorable mention in the general excellence category, which judges the overall editorial content of the newspaper.

“We feel that in this tough division, if we can be near the top for general excellence it speaks positively to the quality of work we are doing,” Bill Vander Weele, Herald managing editor, said. “We are proud that we keep receiving honors for general excellence.”

Libby Berndt, publisher, earned a second-place honor for best newspaper promotion – “Promoting Color in Ads.”

The Sidney Herald received a second-place award for best lifestyles pages for “Homespun.”

Reporter Lindsey Bright won third place for best feature story for “Apart for Christmas.” The story dealt with families making do while loved ones are serving in Iraq.

The Herald received third place for best community service. Judge’s comments included: “This special section was a strong effort to prevent binge and underage drinking.”

The Herald earned third place for best agricultural reporting for its Ag Days section.
For special section, the Herald received honorable mention for “Tappin’ the Bakken.”