Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Ozaukee Press Entry Title: Ozaukee Press_Krystin Halbig Ziehm Entry Credit: Kristyn Halbig Ziehm Judge Comment: Impressive coverage of a complicated process. Well-rounded and fair to all sides, as it should be. I especially liked all the various angles this reporter presented related to the potential building of this data center from land purchases, to power lines, amount of power needed, amount of water needed, sound walls, lighting, potential of relocating a bicycle bridge, effect on area towns, change in taxes for residents, and amount of TIF funding going to the project, just to name a few. A very complete and well presented picture of a potential project that could impact the region for generations to come. My clear number one.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Lakeland Times Entry Title: Presque Isle Town Board Tax Levy Entry Credit: Trevor Greene Judge Comment: Nice job of explaining how this town became involved in needing to determine how best to handle returning tax dollars, and why they became tangled up in this situation to begin with. Good writing to illustrate the complexities of the situation, how this could happen and the choices to be made by the town board to correct the error.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Peshtigo Times Entry Title: Ongoing/Extended Coverage Entry Credit: Ann Meyer Judge Comment: Fair reporting and good coverage of both sides of the process of obtaining a conditional use permit. This series shows in great detail the many steps the applicant takes, the review board takes, and those opposing a project go through in determining approval or non-approval. Interesting reading.
