Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Star News Entry Title: Big Leap Forward; Tensions climbing; Veterans officer quits, claims harassment Entry Credit: Brian Wilson Judge Comment: In a field of many outstanding stories this one displayed quality reporting and excellent writing on a tough issue. Well written. Sidebars of sheriff's report and letter of resignation helped the reader.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Chronotype Entry Title: Barron County Restorative Justice transitions to county departments; Putting on the brakesPublic weighs in on 'road diet'; Entry Credit: Michelle Jensen Judge Comment: The story on restorative justice is what bumped this entry to 2nd place -- an issue of social importance. Good job making that easier for readers to understand. All stories were well done and weren't just meeting coverage.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Superior Telegram Entry Title: Shelley Nelson local government reporting Entry Credit: Shelley Nelson Judge Comment: Enjoyed the storytelling style and information that went beyond just meeting coverage. The 'county wrestles with pay' story went beyond simple budget story making sure residents were fully aware of what the costs of raises were.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Price County Review Entry Title: Worcester board works to avert crisis; County could sell Phillips fairgrounds; Fifield fire departments under bylaws review Entry Credit: Regan Kohler, Tom LaVenture Judge Comment: Good job taking a topic like the fire bylaws story and making it easier to digest for readers. Also did excellent job covering the other stories, particularly in 'averting crisis' story.
Competition Comment: Several solid entries. I read and read again and still had trouble ranking the top three but simply had to make a call. On another day the order could easily be reversed.
