MADISON — The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation on Friday honored the work of newspapers across the state, announcing the award winners and newspapers of the year in the 2019 WNAF Better Newspaper Contest. 

Recipients of 2019 Newspaper of the Year Awards were Publisher Mary Jo Villa and The Gazette, Janesville, (Daily Division) and Publisher Gregg Walker and The Lakeland Times, Minocqua (Weekly Division).

The 2019 WNAF Better Newspaper Contest included 2,533 entries from 106 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019, and were judged by members of the New York Press Association.

Best in Division winners were: 

• Division A: The Gazette, Janesville
• Division B: Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire
• Division C: The Northwoods River News, Rhinelander
• Division D: The Lakeland Times, Minocqua
• Division E: The Ripon Commonwealth Press
• Division F: The Valders Journal

“It is very unfortunate that we were unable to gather as an industry to celebrate your individual and cooperative journalistic successes, WNA Executive Director Beth Bennett said in a statement. “The decision to cancel the awards presentation was difficult. We now know it was the correct decision; one that was made to protect the health and welfare of ceremony attendees.

“The ongoing effects of the coronavirus have dramatically impacted the business of community newspapers across the country. That blow has not, however, stopped the staffs of Wisconsin’s newspapers from working tirelessly to report on the impact the virus is having on the communities they serve. Each of you has played a vital role in disseminating essential information to your readers by accurately reporting the local and national impact of the virus outbreak.

“The WNA Foundation proudly presents each of you with your well-deserved awards. We are anxiously looking forward to seeing you in 2021 awards ceremony.”

Reactions from some of the winners:

“On behalf of everyone at The Janesville Gazette, we sincerely appreciate the recognition of our peers and the efforts of WNA,” said publisher Mary Jo Villa. “This type of ongoing recognition simply is not possible without a team of people from every single department working towards a common goal to ensure our communities have the kind of newspaper and local journalism they deserve. Even during a period of significant change, our staff remained focus on our core mission. I am privileged to work with so many talented professionals; I could not be more proud. On behalf of Bliss Communications & Adams Publishing Group, thank you.”

“There has not been a time when community journalists have earned more praise and appreciation for their good work,” said Randy Rickman, APG Regional President for Northern Wisconsin and publisher of the (Eau Claire) Leader-Telegram. “Gary Johnson and his team at the Leader-Telegram are well-deserving of this award. We also thank the production and distribution teams and our readers who support the valuable news that’s created every day.”

“What an honor for our newspaper to earn the Best in Division distinction for the second straight year,” said Brian Thomsen, publisher of The Valders Journal. “We’re a small staff, each adding a personal touch to make the Journal a quality newspaper. The end result is a paper that connects with our readers and the communities we serve.”