Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Peninsula Pulse Entry Title: Removing the Dirty Dirt Entry Credit: Debra Fitzgerald Judge Comment: This is a standout story in a category with some very strong contenders.
I really liked the personal story that tied in history with current efforts to clean up years of contamination.
The rest of the story was well sourced and well organized. The story was very engaging due to this work. Outstanding job!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Peninsula Pulse Entry Title: Two Decades and Counting of Beach Water Monitoring Entry Credit: Debra Fitzgerald Judge Comment: This is another outstanding story from Peninsula Pulse. I liked the organization and the use of sources and quotes. The lead pulled me in right away.
All too often environmental stories can be highly technical and not get the human cost across. This one checks all of the boxes for me, explaining why beach water monitoring is so crucial. Great work!
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Press Times Entry Title: Allouez discusses options for pond at Riverview Park Entry Credit: Janelle Fisher Judge Comment: The lead is super boring but the rest of the story is great. (Worry less about meeting dates and more about why a wet detention pond is important.)
The story has lots of great information, the writing is strong and it "flows" quite well. (Could not resist)
I especially liked how the options were spelled out. Fine work!
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Wausau Pilot and Review Entry Title: More remediation could be necessary at Riverside Park in Wausau Entry Credit: Shereen Siewert Judge Comment: This is a very solid package of stories. Most are well written. but spell out your acronyms and tell us what the chemical compounds are. Even one line about potential health impacts would add a lot.
