The North Shore News was named best in its class at the annual B.C. & Yukon Community Newspaper Association’s Ma Murray Awards on Saturday.
Judges praised the North Shore News as a “focused, well-laid out paper full of relevant local news.”
“Photography and overall design are top-notch, and a strong online presence demonstrates engagement and showcases the paper’s ability to adapt to changing times,” the judges wrote.
Also nominated in that category for papers with a circulation of more than 64,000 were the Vancouver Courier and Vernon Morning Star.
“This is an incredible honour and privilege to accept the top honours with the BCYCNA Ma Murray Awards on behalf of our team at the News and our community,” said publisher Peter Kvarnstom. “Our team strives to up their game every day. Simply put, we focus on better journalism, better design, better advertising, better distribution, better customer service with every edition we publish. Whether you read us online or in print, it is all of you that press on us to do our very best work, every day and in every way.”
Reporter Jane Seyd won gold in the Business Writing Award category for Cannabusiness – The Greening of a Grey Economy, which investigated how illegal cannabis dispensaries are looking to stake out the pot market in advance of legalization.
North Shore News columnist Paul Sullivan took first place in the columnist category. Judges credited Sullivan for his fresh perspectives, well-thought out columns and light humour.
Photographer Cindy Goodman took gold in the Feature Photo (over 25,000 circulation) for Dancers Only, which judges praised for its charm and simplicity.
Goodman also won a silver for her dramatic image of a North Shore Twins player sliding for home at June baseball game.
Photographer Mike Wakefield’s photo of a June 2017 plane crash on the North Vancouver waterfront took third place in the Spot News Photo category (over 25,000).
Reporter Maria Spitale-Leisk won bronze in the Outdoor Recreation Writing Award category for her story: Cheakamus Celebrates 48 Years Outside.
In the advertising awards, the North Shore News picked up hardware in two categories: Gold for the I Heart the North Shore special section by Vicki Magnison, Tannis Hendriks, Myra McGrath and Birgit Brunner; and silver for Hollee Brown and Brunner’s Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Association – Who Knew? collaborative ad campaign.
The Ma Murray awards are held annually to celebrate achievement in the 98 member publications across the province.
