Herald earns first-place honors in Montana newspaper contest

Sidney Herald publisher Libby Berndt presents Barry Petersen, CBS correspondent and former Sidney High School graduate, a Sidney souvenir candy bouquet thank you gift for being the guest speaker at the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual convention held in Lewistown Saturday. Berndt was the outgoing president for the association and was responsible for organizing the convention and the speakers. The Wick Communications Spirit team, from left, Wahpeton Daily News publisher Ken Harty, Sidney Herald publisher Libby Berndt and Williston Herald publisher Mitzi Moe gather for a photo after the Montana Newspaper Association's awards banquet in Lewistown, Mont., June 11. Harty and Moe flew into Lewistown to help celebrate Berndt's success  as president of the association for the 2010-2011 year. Sidney Herald publisher Libby Berndt, president of the Montana Newspaper Association, has some fun with fellow board members, from left, Dick Crockford and Andy Malby as they perform a skit at the annual MNA convention in Lewistown. Berndt scheduled a dinner train ride for all convention participants but had to cancel at the last minute because of damage to the train tressle due to the floods in Montana. The "train crew" still was able to give the group a railroad experience of their own.

The Sidney Herald won three first-place awards in the large weekly/small daily division in the 2010 Montana Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest Awards.

The Herald earned top honors for best website, best editorials and best special section.

Judges’ comments for the Herald’s website were, “Over the past eight years, the Sidney Herald’s website has been redesigned five times, and the effectiveness of this site shows it. The site is well designed, with a wide variety of features, including e-edition for newspaper subscribers and to exclusive e-edition subs as well. The site is easy to use in a complete, easy to navigate package.”

The Herald’s entry for best editorial included editorials regarding Gov. Schweitzer’s proposal to distribute oil money throughout state’s schools and another urging public officials to follow freedom of information guidelines.

Judges wrote, “Strong opinion, well thought arguments, high emotion. Confrontational but professional. Makes a great read. Far and away the best editorials.”

The award for best special project was for one of the Herald’s Tappin The Bakken sections regarding the oil industry.
Judges wrote, “Wow so much information with plenty of advertising support. Very impressive!”

The Herald received third place in the best front page category.

Judges’ comments were, “Wonderfully organized. It’s very easy to read, even though there’s a lot of information. The columns down the side draw you all the way to the bottom without losing your attention.”

The Herald’s managing editor Bill Vander Weele received honorable mention for best feature photo for a photo that featured an upset girl at a pre-school graduation.

Judges wrote, “Grad emotional.”

The Herald earned honorable mention for the small space ad category for the East-Mont Enterprises business regarding the sale of bulk ice melt.

Judges wrote, “Cartoon really gets your attention. Great use of small space.”