Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Farmer Entry Title: Town of Palmyra neighbors fear unknown in avian flu composting operation Entry Credit: Colleen Kottke, Amber Burke Judge Comment: This was an all-around well-reported, well-written piece. It was fair, balanced and objective, allowing the reader to make up his or her mind. It was a lengthy piece, but never dragged or used jargon. It was solid journalism. Well done all around.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Farmer Entry Title: Goat milk shortage spurs merger of state’s largest dairy goat farms Entry Credit: Colleen Kottke Judge Comment: I never though I would care so much about goat milk. But now I do — piece was well-written, well-reported and very well executed. The State Farmer has some excellent journalists on its staff.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Lake Country Now Entry Title: Several Milwaukee area schools have education foundations. Here's what they do and why they're important Entry Credit: Alec Johnson Judge Comment: We hear about foundations all the time. This story took the time to explain them without too much fanfare and allowed the reader to see how the sausage gets made. Good reporting, well written.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Peninsula Pulse Entry Title: A Classified Ad and An Observant Neighbor Reunite A Man and his Turtle Entry Credit: Debra Fitzgerald Judge Comment: I am a sucker for lost turtle stories. It was never going to be more than it was and the reporter knew it — took the facts, made me care and created a piece that will stay with me for longer than composting the paper will. Good job.
Competition Comment: Overall, good efforts. Nice to see so many solid journalists are out there doing the job, day in and day out.
