Clinton Herald collects 9 awards at newspaper convention

Feb. 8—DES MOINES — The Clinton Herald accepted nine Iowa Better Newspaper Contest awards Thursday night at the 2024 Iowa Newspaper Association convention.

The Herald, competing in Class V, which is for newspapers that publish multiple editions each week with circulations of 1,551 and above, collected five firsts, three seconds and one third.

Individual first-place winners are Shanelle Yahn in Best Ad Designer and Roy Dabner in Best News Feature Photo.

The other three first awards are in the categories Best Advertising Series or Campaign Featuring Any Service or Merchandise, Best Ad Featuring Agriculture, and Best Web Advertisement.

The Herald placed second in Best Website, Best Ad Featuring Grocery/Food/Entertainment, and Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats, Aircraft, Tires, Gasoline, Etc.

The Herald took third in Best Newspaper Marketing.

Approximately 2,879 entries in dozens of categories were judged by class, based on circulation. Class I is for newspapers published daily with 5,000 circulation and under, Class II is for newspapers published daily with 5,001 circulation and above, Class III is for newspapers published weekly with 875 circulation and under, Class IV, 876 to 1,550 circulation; Class V, 1,551 and above circulation.

Members of the Illinois Press Association did the judging.

FULL RESULTS

The Iowa Falls Times Citizen was named as the 2024 "Newspaper of the Year."

Winners in all contest categories are listed below.

General Excellence Contest Winners

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times, 2nd — Colfax Jasper County Tribune, 3rd — Prairie City PCM Explorer;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat, 3rd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 3rd — Dyersville Commercial;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 3rd — Waverly Newspapers; Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Des Moines Register, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Best Of Class Advertising contest winners

Class I: 1st — Inwood West Lyon Herald, 2nd — Holstein Advance, 3rd — Reinbeck Sun-Courier;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 3rd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Algona Kossuth County Advance, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal, 3rd — Waverly Newspapers;

Class V: 1st — Marshalltown Times-Republican, 2nd — Davenport Quad-City Times, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Specialty Reporting Contest Winners

Harrison "Skip" Weber Investigative Reporting Award: Michael Davis and Robert Maharry, Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, Kelly Gerlach, Nick Joos, Nancy Mayfield and Trevis Mayfield, DeWitt Observer Erika Barrett, Keokuk Daily Gate City Emily Andersen, Cedar Rapids Gazette

Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalists Awards: Elijah Helton, Sheldon N'West Iowa ReviewBailey Cichon, Cedar Rapids GazetteSarah Watson, Davenport Quad-City Times

Bill Monroe Best Special Digital Project: Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register

Jay P Wagner Prize for Young Journalists: Bailey Cichon, Cedar Rapids GazetteSarah Watson, Davenport Quad-City TimesElijah Helton, Sheldon N'west Iowa Review

Ken Fuson Best Writing Award: Elijah Decious, Cedar Rapids Gazette

Editorial Contest Winners

Best Editorial Page(s)

Class II: 1st — Westside Observer, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Eldridge North Scott Press, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Spencer Daily Reporter;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Davenport Quad-City Times

Best Front Page

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times, 2nd — Inwood West Lyon Herald, 3rd — Greenfield Adair County Free Press;

Class II: 1st — Hawarden Independent/Ireton Examiner, 2nd — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 3rd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Manchester Press, 2nd — Dyersville Commercial, 3rd — Bellevue Herald-Leader;

Class IV: 1st — Oskaloosa Herald, 2nd — Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Waterloo Courier, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Davenport Quad-City Times

Best Sports Section

Class I: 1st — Colfax Jasper County Tribune, 2nd — Prairie City PCM Explorer, 3rd — Earlham Echo;

Class II: 1st — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat, 2nd — Ackley World Journal, 3rd — Oakland Herald;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial, 2nd — Kalona News, 3rd — Humboldt Independent;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Newton News, 3rd — Waverly Newspapers;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Davenport Quad-City Times, 3rd — Des Moines Register

Best Feature Page(s)

Class I: 1st — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News, 2nd — Manilla Times;

Class II: 1st — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat, 2nd — Mapleton Press, 3rd — Cascade Pioneer;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 2nd — Wapello Morning Sun, 3rd — Manchester Press;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers, 3rd — Keokuk Daily Gate City;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Coverage of Government and Politics

Class I: 1st — Colfax Jasper County Tribune, 2nd — Prairie City PCM Explorer;

Class II: 1st — Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun, 2nd — Ackley World Journal, 3rd — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle;

Class III: 1st — DeWitt Observer, 2nd — Sigourney News-Review, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Spencer Daily Reporter, 3rd — Creston News Advertiser;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Des Moines Register, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan

Coverage of Education

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times, 2nd — Greenfield Adair County Free Press, 3rd — Newell Buena Vista County Journal;

Class II: 1st — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, 2nd — Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun, 3rd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — DeWitt Observer, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 3rd — Estherville News;

Class IV: 1st — Ames Tribune, 2nd — Carroll Times Herald, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Davenport Quad-City Times

Coverage of Agriculture

Class I: 1st — Colfax Jasper County Tribune, 2nd — Prairie City PCM Explorer, 3rd — Calmar Courier;

Class II: 1st — Sumner Gazette, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Kalona News, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 3rd — Ida Grove Ida County Courier;

Class IV: 1st — Carroll Times Herald, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Waverly Newspapers;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Des Moines Register, 3rd — Iowa Capital Dispatch

Coverage of Business

Class I: 1st — Prairie City PCM Explorer, 2nd — Colfax Jasper County Tribune, 3rd — Greenfield Adair County Free Press;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Cascade Pioneer, 3rd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Estherville News, 2nd — Kalona News, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review;

Class IV: 1st — Newton News, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Carroll Times Herald;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Coverage of Court and Crime

Class I: 1st — Calmar Courier;

Class II: 1st — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat, 3rd — Ackley World Journal;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 2nd — Eldridge North Scott Press, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review;

Class IV: 1st — Newton News, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers, 3rd — Creston News Advertiser;

Class V: 1st — Iowa Capital Dispatch, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Fort Dodge Messenger

Best Special Section- Editorial

Class II: 1st — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 2nd — Corydon Times-Republican, 3rd — Mapleton Press;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial, 2nd — Bloomfield Democrat, 3rd — Monticello Express;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal;

Class V: 1st — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Total Newspaper Design

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times, 2nd — Inwood West Lyon Herald, 3rd — Moravia Union;

Class II: 1st — Eldora Herald-Ledger, 2nd — Ackley World Journal, 3rd — Hawarden Independent/Ireton Examiner;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 2nd — Eldridge North Scott Press, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Spencer Daily Reporter, 3rd — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Sioux City Journal, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Community Leadership

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 3rd — Marshalltown Times-Republican

Best Headline Writing

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, 3rd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 3rd — Sioux Center News;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Best Use of Graphics

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times;

Class II: 1st — Mapleton Press, 2nd — Sheldon Mail-Sun, 3rd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Estherville News, 2nd — Ida Grove Ida County Courier, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register, 2nd — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Digital Contest Winners

Best Newspaper Website

Class I: 1st — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News,

Class II: 1st — Cascade Pioneer, 2nd — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle,

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 2nd — Eldridge North Scott Press, 3rd — Dyersville Commercial;

Class IV: 1st — Waverly Newspapers, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Sioux City Journal, 2nd — Clinton Herald, 3rd — Des Moines Register

Best Video

1st — Perry Chief- Allison Ullmann;

Class II: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Matt Heinrichs, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Matt Heinrichs;

Class IV: 1st — Waverly Newspapers- Anelia Dimitrova, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers- Anelia Dimitrova, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Joe Cress;

Class V: 1st — Iowa Capital Dispatch- Jared Strong, 2nd — Des Moines Register- Zach Boyden-Holmes, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Bailey Cichon

Best Slideshow

Class I: 1st — Adel Dallas County News- Allison Ullmann, 2nd — Perry Chief- Allison Ullmann, 3rd — Adel Dallas County News- Allison Ullmann;

Class II: 1st — Cascade Pioneer- Beth Lutgen, 2nd — Cascade Pioneer- Beth Lutgen, Don Zieser,

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial- Beth Lutgen,

Class IV: 1st — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Joe Cress, 2nd — Ames Tribune- Nirmalendu Majumdar, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen -Joe Cress;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette -Nick Rohlman, Bailey Cichon, 2nd — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Grace Smith, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Jerod Ringwald, Grace Smith

Bill Monroe Best Special Digital Project

Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register

Best Use of Social Media

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times;

Class II: 1st — Elkader Times-Register, 2nd — Akron Hometowner;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 2nd — Dyersville Commercial;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa City Press-Citizen, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Ames Tribune;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 3rd — Des Moines Register

Best Podcast

Class IV: 1st — Spencer Daily Reporter Randy M. Cauthron, TJ Murphy, Cody Marble, 2nd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal Kalen McCain;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette Erin Murphy, Stephen M. Colbert, Tom Barton, Bailey Cichon, 2nd — Sioux City Journal Bruce Miller, Terry Lipshetz, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan Natalie Dunlap

Marketing Contest Winners

Best Newspaper Marketing

Class I: 1st — Manilla Times;

Class II: 1st — Akron Hometowner, 2nd — Westside Observer, 3rd — Mapleton Press;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 3rd — Clinton Herald

Writing Contest Winners

Best News Story

Class I: 1st — Perry Chief- Allison Ullmann, 2nd — Greenfield Adair County Free Press- Caleb Nelson, 3rd — Manilla Times- Janine Kock;

Class II: 1st — Sheldon Mail-Sun- Aleisa Schat, 2nd — Akron Hometowner- Julie Ann Madden, 3rd — Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun- Nathan Countryman;

Class III: 1st — Eldridge North Scott Press- Scott Campbell, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Seth Boyes, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Aleisa Schat;

Class IV: 1st — Carroll Times Herald- Trevor Babcock, 2nd — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Paris Barraza, 3rd — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Paris Barraza;

Class V: 1st — Iowa Capital Dispatch- Jared Strong, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Vanessa Miller, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- John Kruse

Best Breaking News Story

Class I: 1st — Calmar Courier- Michael Hohenbrink, 2nd — Traer North Tama Telegraph- Ruby McAllister;

Class II: 1st — Elkader Times-Register- Audrey Posten, 2nd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, 3rd — Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun- Nathan Countryman;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Seth Boyes, 2nd — Sioux Center News- Renee Wielenga, Eric Sandbulte, 3rd — Bellevue Herald-Leader- David Namanny;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Paris Barraz, 2nd — Creston News Advertiser- Cheyenne Roche, 3rd — Mason City Globe Gazette- Robin McClelland;

Class V: 1st — Davenport Quad-City Times- Sarah Watson, Gretchen Teske, Thomas Geyer, Tom Loewy, 2nd — Des Moines Register- Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Chris Higgins, F. Amanda Tugade, Francesca Block, 3rd — Davenport Quad-City Times- Staff

Best News Feature Story

Class I: 1st — Colfax Jasper County Tribune- Christopher Braunschweig, 2nd — Perry Chief- Sean Cordy, Allison Ullmann, 3rd — Traer North Tama Telegraph- Ruby McAllister;

Class II: 1st — Garner Leader- Rebecca Peter, 2nd — Bayard News Gazette- Luann Waldo, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper;

Class III: 1st — Davenport Catholic Messenger- Barb Arland-Fye, 2nd — Des Moines Business Record- Kathy Bolten, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Aleisa Schat;

Class IV: 1st — Harlan Newspapers- Mike Kolbe, 2nd — Spencer Daily Reporter- Randy M. Cauthron, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal- Kalen McCain;

Class V: 1st — Sioux City Journal- Nick Hytrek, 2nd — Des Moines Register- Courtney Crowder, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Elizabeth Kelsey

Best Personality Feature Story

Class I: 1st — Earlham Echo- Todd Weber, 2nd — Traer North Tama Telegraph- Ruby McAllister, Soren Peterson, 3rd — Tripoli Leader- Morgan Bergmann;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, 2nd — Elkader Times-Register- Audrey Posten, 3rd — Hawarden Independent/Ireton Examiner- Katie Anderson;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial- Dave LaBelle, 2nd — Eldridge North Scott Press- Mark Ridolfi, 3rd — Kalona News- Cheryl Allen;

Class IV: 1st — Oelwein Daily Register- Gidal Kaiser, 2nd — Mason City Globe Gazette- Alexander Schmidt, 3rd — Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil- David Golbitz, Joe Shearer;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Diana Nollen, 2nd — Fort Dodge Messenger- Kelby Wingert, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Elijah Decious

Best Sports Story

Class I: 1st — Colfax Jasper County Tribune- Troy Hyde, 2nd — West Branch Times- Matthew Dickinson, 3rd — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Troy Hyde;

Class II: 1st — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Doug Calsbeek, Dale Pluim, 2nd — Sheldon Mail-Sun- Scott Byers, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Corey Meints;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Scott Byers, 2nd — Dyersville Commercial- Mike Putz, 3rd — Humboldt Independent- Phil Monson;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Justin Ites, 2nd — Newton News- Troy Hyde, 3rd — Atlantic News-Telegraph- Brian Rathjen;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Austin Hanson, 2nd — Davenport Quad-City Times- Matt Coss, 3rd — Marshalltown Times-Republican- Ross Thede

Best Sports Feature Story

Class I: 1st — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Troy Hyde, 2nd — Earlham Echo- Todd Weber, 3rd — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Troy Hyde;

Class II: 1st — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle- Robert Maharry, 2nd — Ackley World Journal- Corey Meints, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Corey Meints;

Class III: 1st — Monticello Express- Pete Temple, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Scott Byers, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Seth Boyes;

Class IV: 1st — Oskaloosa Herald- Ayrton Breckenridge, 2nd — Ames Tribune- Joe Randleman , 3rd — Newton News- Troy Hyde;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- John Steppe, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Jeff Linder, 3rd — Des Moines Register- Alyssa Hertel

Best Series

Class I: 1st — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Christopher Braunschweig, 2nd — Tripoli Leader- Morgan Bergmann, 3rd — Fredericksburg Review- Amanda Strain, Morgan Bergmann;

Class II: 1st — Pocahontas Record-Democrat- Erin Sommers, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Sarah Weber, Sharon Vermeer, Dale Pluim, 3rd — Mapleton Press- Staff ;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Aleisa Schat, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Aleisa Schat, 3rd — Estherville News- Amy H. Peterson, Taylor Nissen;

Class IV: 1st — Keokuk Daily Gate City- Erika Barrett, 2nd — Oskaloosa Herald- Emily Hawk, Channing Rucks, 3rd — Newton News- Christopher Braunschweig;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register- Jay Stahl, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Michelle London, 3rd — Marshalltown Times-Republican- Robert Maharry, Lana Bradstream, Mike Donahey, Sara Jordan-Heintz

Excellence in Editorial Writing

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times- Gregory Norfleet, 2nd — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News- Nicholas Pedley;

Class II: 1st — Pocahontas Record-Democrat- Erin Sommers, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Doug Calsbeek, Dale Pluim;

Class III: 1st — DeWitt Observer- Trevis Mayfield, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Tom Lawrence, 3rd — Davenport Catholic Messenger- Barb Arland-Fye;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Elaine Loring, 2nd — Spencer Daily Reporter- Randy M. Cauthron, 3rd — Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil- Scott Stewart;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Althea Cole, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Amy Gilligan, Allie Hinga, 3rd — Davenport Quad-City Times- Tom Martin

Master Columnist

Class I: 1st — West Branch Times- Gregory Norfleet, 2nd — Manilla Times- Janine Kock, 3rd — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News- Nicholas Pedley;

Class II: 1st — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle- Michael Davis, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Doug Calsbeek, Dale Pluim, 3rd — Central City Linn News- Laura Drummy;

Class III: 1st — Bloomfield Democrat- Randy Evans, 2nd — Eldridge North Scott Press- Erin Gentz, 3rd — Jefferson Herald- Rick Morain;

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal- Jane Curtis, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Elaine Loring, 3rd — Creston News Advertiser- Erin Henze;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Sofia DeMartino, 2nd — Iowa Capital Dispatch- Kathie Obradovich, 3rd — Sioux City Journal- Nick Hytrek

Best Sports Columnist

Class I: 1st — Earlham Echo- Todd Weber, 2nd — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Troy Hyde;

Class II: 1st — Strawberry Point Clayton County Press Journal- Jeff Barker, 2nd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Doug Calsbeek, Dale Pluim;

Class III: 1st — Kalona News- Paul Bowker, 2nd — Anamosa Journal Eureka- Daryl Schepanski, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Scott Byers;

Class IV: 1st — Spencer Daily Reporter- Randy M. Cauthron, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers- Nick Thompson;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register- Chad Leistikow, 2nd — Des Moines Register- Randy Peterson, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- JR Ogden

Best Continuing Coverage

Class I: 1st — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News- Nicholas Pedley, 2nd — Traer North Tama Telegraph- Ruby McAllister;

Class II: 1st — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Sarah Weber, Doug Calsbeek, Dale Pluim, 2nd — Tama-Toledo News Chronicle- Michael Davis, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, Shawn Diggity;

Class III: 1st — Kalona News- Cheryl Allen, 2nd — Estherville News- Amy H. Peterson , 3rd — Bloomfield Democrat- Karen Spurgeon;

Class IV: 1st — Mason City Globe Gazette- Robin McClelland, 2nd — Keokuk Daily Gate City- Joe Benedict, Erika Barrett, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal- Kalen McCain;

Class V: 1st — Des Moines Register- Katie Akin, Stephen Gruber-Miller, 2nd — Davenport Quad-City Times- Staff , 3rd — Iowa Capital Dispatch- Jared Strong

Photography Contest Winners

Best News Photo

Class I: 1st — Solon Economist- Chris Umscheid, 2nd — Traer North Tama Telegraph- Soren Peterson, 3rd — West Branch Times- Keaton Norfleet;

Class II: 1st — Cascade Pioneer- Erin LaBelle, 2nd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, 3rd — Corydon Times-Republican- Jen Reed;

Class III: 1st — Winterset Madisonian- Vicki Minor, 2nd — Albia Monroe County News- David Dineen, 3rd — Ida Grove Ida County Courier- Jenny Seuntjens;

Class IV: 1st — Oskaloosa Herald- Ayrton Breckenridge, 2nd — Oskaloosa Herald- Ayrton Breckenridge, 3rd — Carroll Times Herald- Larry Devine;

Class V: 1st — Davenport Quad-City Times- Nikos Frazier, 2nd — Des Moines Register- Zach Boyden-Holmes, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Savannah Blake

Best Breaking News Photo

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, 2nd — Sumner Gazette- Morgan Bergmann, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper;

Class III: 1st — Tipton Conservative- Stuart Clark, 2nd — Guttenberg Press- Austin Greve, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Matt Heinrichs;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Corey Meints, 2nd — Mason City Globe Gazette- Matthew Rezab, 3rd — Keokuk Daily Gate City- Chris Mills;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Nick Rohlman, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Jim Slosiarek, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Nick Rohlman

Best Sports Photo

Class I: 1st — Solon Economist- Chris Umscheid, 2nd — Colfax Jasper County Tribune- Troy Hyde, 3rd — Prairie City PCM Explorer- Troy Hyde;

Class II: 1st — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Jeff Bylsma, Dale Pluim, 2nd — Oakland Herald- Donald Nielson, 3rd — Cascade Pioneer- Don Zieser;

Class III: 1st — DeWitt Observer- Ross Eberhart, 2nd — Wapello Morning Sun- Dana Royer, 3rd — Wapello Morning Sun- Dana Royer;

Class IV: 1st — Le Mars Sentinel- Allen Hamil, 2nd — Oskaloosa Herald- Kyle Ocker, 3rd — Creston News Advertiser- Cheyenne Roche;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Ayrton Breckenridge, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Savannah Blake, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Dave Kettering

Best Sports Feature Photo

Class I: 1st — Solon Economist- Chris Umscheid, 2nd — Adel Dallas County News- Sean Cordy, 3rd — Colfax Jasper County Tribune- Troy Hyde;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal- Corey Meints, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat- Sandy Rutherford, 3rd — Mapleton Press- Jenna Comes;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial- Beth Lutgen, 2nd — Saint Ansgar Enterprise Journal- Kristi Nixon, 3rd — Dyersville Commercial- Don Zieser;

Class IV: 1st — Newton News- Troy Hyde, 2nd — Iowa City Press-Citizen- Joe Cress, 3rd — Oskaloosa Herald- Ayrton Breckenridge;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Savannah Blake, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Nick Rohlman, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Jim Slosiarek

Best News Feature Photo

Class I: 1st — Perry Chief- Allison Ullmann, 2nd — Adel Dallas County News- Allison Ullmann, 3rd — Earlham Echo- Todd Weber;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper, 2nd — Oakland Herald- Donald Nielson, 3rd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat- Sandy Rutherford;

Class III: 1st — Algona Kossuth County Advance- Kim Wegener, 2nd — Dyersville Commercial- Dave LaBelle, 3rd — Dyersville Commercial- Dave Labelle;

Class IV: 1st — Ames Tribune- Nirmalendu Majumdar, 2nd — Newton News- Christopher Braunschweig, 3rd — Newton News- Christopher Braunschweig;

Class V: 1st — Clinton Herald Roy Dabner, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette Jim Slosiarek, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan Cody Blissett

Best Photo Story

Class I: 1st — Perry Chief- Allison Ullmann, 2nd — Adel Dallas County News- Allison Ullmann, 3rd — Adel Dallas County News- Allison Ullmann;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal- Corey Meints, 2nd — Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun- Nathan Countryman, 3rd — Orange City Sioux County Capital Democrat- Sarah Weber, Dale Pluim;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial- Dave LaBelle, 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Matt Heinrichs, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Seth Boyes;

Class IV: 1st — Spencer Daily Reporter- Sondra Hookfin, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Corey Meints, 3rd — Newton News- Christopher Braunschweig;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Grace Smith, 2nd — Ames Iowa State Daily- Daniel Jacobi II, Brielle Tuttle, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Ayrton Breckenridge, Jerod Ringwald, Grace Smith, Matt Sindt

Best Photographer

Class I: 1st — Solon Economist- Chris Umscheid, 2nd — Earlham Echo- Todd Weber;

Class II: 1st — Corydon Times-Republican- Jen Reed, 2nd — Central City Linn News- Laura Drummy, 3rd — Ackley World Journal- Becky Schipper;

Class III: 1st — Dyersville Commercial- Dave LaBelle , 2nd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News- Seth Boyes, 3rd — Estherville News- Amy H. Peterson;

Class IV: 1st — Ames Tribune- Nirmalendu Majumdar, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Shawn Digity, 3rd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Marissa VanWingen;

Class V: 1st — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Geoff Stellfox, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Steve Gassman, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette- Savannah Blake

Advertisting Contest Winners

Best Ad Featuring Grocery/Food/Entertainment

Class I: 1st — Reinbeck Sun-Courier, 2nd — Laurens Sun, 3rd — Reinbeck Sun-Courier;

Class II: 1st — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 2nd — Westside Observer, 3rd — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter;

Class III: 1st — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press, 2nd — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press, 3rd — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Harlan Newspapers, 3rd — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal;

Class V: 1st — Davenport Quad-City Times, 2nd — Clinton Herald, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan

Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Service

Class I: 1st — Hull Sioux County Index Reporter, 2nd — Hull Sioux County Index Reporter, 3rd — Hull Sioux County Index Reporter;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat, 3rd — Stuart Herald;

Class III: 1st — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 2nd — Bloomfield Democrat, 3rd — Monticello Express;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Fort Dodge Messenger, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan

Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware

Class I: 1st — Inwood West Lyon Herald;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat;

Class III: 1st — Keosauqua Van Buren County Register, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review, 3rd — Manchester Press;

Class IV: 1st — Waverly Newspapers, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers, 3rd — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal;

Class V: 1st — Marshalltown Times-Republican, 2nd — Cedar Rapids Gazette, 3rd — Fort Dodge Messenger

Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats, Aircraft, Tires, Gasoline, Etc.

Class I: 1st — Holstein Advance, 2nd — Hull Sioux County Index Reporter; Class II: 1st — Stuart Herald, 2nd — Stuart Herald;

Class III: 1st — Bloomfield Democrat, 2nd — Sigourney News-Review, 3rd — Algona Kossuth County Advance;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 2nd — Clinton Herald, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Best Ad Featuring Miscellaneous

Class I: 1st — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News, 2nd — Remsen Bell Enterprise, 3rd — Buffalo Center Tribune;

Class II: 1st — Pocahontas Record-Democrat, 2nd — Pocahontas Record-Democrat, 3rd — Cascade Pioneer;

Class III: 1st — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News, 2nd — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press, 3rd — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Le Mars Sentinel, 3rd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 2nd — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 3rd — Fort Dodge Messenger

Best Special Section Advertising

Class I: 1st — Inwood West Lyon Herald, 2nd — Manilla Times;

Class II: 1st — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 2nd — Mapleton Press, 3rd — Ackley World Journal;

Class III: 1st — Algona Kossuth County Advance, 2nd — Algona Kossuth County Advance, 3rd — Spirit Lake Dickinson County News;

Class IV: 1st — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal, 2nd — Waverly Newspapers, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal;

Class V: 1st — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 2nd — Marshalltown Times-Republican, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Best Advertising Series or Campaign Featuring Any Service or Merchandise Category

Class II: 1st — Pocahontas Record-Democrat, 2nd — Westside Observer, 3rd — Stuart Herald;

Class III: 1st — Sigourney News-Review;

Class IV: 1st — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Clinton Herald, 2nd — Marshalltown Times-Republican, 3rd — Sioux City Journal

Best Advertising Idea For a Community Promotion or Event

Class I: 1st — Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News, 2nd — Inwood West Lyon Herald, 3rd — Remsen Bell Enterprise;

Class II: 1st — Ackley World Journal, 2nd — Rock Rapids Lyon County Reporter, 3rd — Ackley World Journal;

Class III: 1st — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press, 2nd — Sigourney News-Review, 3rd — Maquoketa Sentinel-Press;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Le Mars Sentinel;

Class V: 1st — Sioux City Journal, 2nd — Iowa City Daily Iowan, 3rd — Iowa City Daily Iowan

Best Ad Featuring Agriculture

Class I: 1st — Reinbeck Sun-Courier, 2nd — Hull Sioux County Index Reporter,

Class II: 1st — Stuart Herald, 2nd — Ackley World Journal, 3rd — Stuart Herald;

Class III: 1st — Algona Kossuth County Advance, 2nd — Algona Kossuth County Advance, 3rd — Ida Grove Ida County Courier;

Class IV: 1st — Waverly Newspapers, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 3rd — Southeast Iowa Union Washington Evening Journal;

Class V: 1st — Clinton Herald, 2nd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 3rd — Fort Dodge Messenger

Best Web Advertisement

Class IV: 1st — Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen;

Class V: 1st — Clinton Herald, 2nd — Davenport Quad-City Times, 3rd — Cedar Rapids Gazette

Best Ad Designer

Class II: 1st — Stuart Herald- Jon Lonsdale, 2nd — Mapleton Press- Jenna Comes;

Class III: 1st — Ida Grove Ida County Courier- Jenny Seuntjens, 2nd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Elizabeth Myers, 3rd — Sheldon N'West Iowa Review- Kira Spaans;

Class IV: 1st — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Brent Lennard, 2nd — Iowa Falls Times Citizen- Beth Olsen, 3rd — Waverly Newspapers- Carrie Wright;

Class V: 1st — Clinton Herald- Shanelle Yahn, 2nd — Iowa City Daily Iowan- Heidi Owen, 3rd — Dubuque Telegraph Herald- Melissa Salis