Here are the results of The Society of Professional Journalists Top of the Rockies journalism competition for Region 9.

These are the winners from Division C.

Please note: in a few categories, the judges found no winners. Those categories are not listed.

C1

News reporting

First place:

Nissa LaPoint

Westminster Window

“Local homes in jeopardy”

“She has a good balance of emotions and facts mixed together in this informative piece”

Second place:

Brady Delander

Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

“Sound of Silence”

Honorable mention:

Joseph Kolb

Gallup Herald

“Searching for Talamate”

C2

Breaking News

Joseph J. Kolb
first place:

The Gallup Herald

“Jury convicts former Navajo Nation cop of execution-style killing of his wife”

“The excellent opening-graf evocation of classic literature gives way
to a story that not only relates what happened, but also captures the
flavor of how it unfolded, and what it was like to be there at this
climactic moment in a big story.”
second place:

Namon Bills

The Sentinel

“Hero emerges in house fire”

C3

General reporting

Gail Binkly

Four Corners Free Press

“The furor over pot hunting”

“A fascinating issue that I knew little about. The author writes with authority about its impact and resonance on Native Americans and non-Indians alike. She covers all facets of a surprisingly complex issue.”

Second place:

Nissa LaPoint

Westminster Window

“Council member dethroned”

Honorable mention:

Gail Binkly

Four Corners Free Press

“What to do about Cortez street people”

C4

Investigative/enterprise reporting

First place:

David A. Fryxell

Desert Exposure

“Scout’s Honor”

“This entry was well done and thorough. David spent time getting the different sides to an obviously frustrating and intense fight”

Second place:

Caroline Kipp

Westminster Window

“Eminent Danger”

Honorable mention (tie)

Joseph Kolb

Gallup Herald

“Could DUI have been prevented?”

Tammy Krantz

Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

“Roll Call”

5B

News Feature:

First place:

Joseph J. Kolb

Gallup Herald

“Fear and Loathing on the Streets of Gallup,”

“Vividly written; this work allowed us the rare chance to hear the
voices of people who live outside the stream of polite society, people
from whom we seldom hear.”

second place:

Nissa LaPoint

Westminster Window

“A Love that Stands the Test of Time,”
honorable mention:

Nissa LaPoint
Westminster Window

“Forgotten Contributors”

C6

Personal columns

First place:

John Hazelhurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“There goes the neighborhood” et al.

“Interesting look at how a community will change if local schools are closed. Appreciated writer’s disclosure about his own interest. Articles were passionate and included info to back up this position.”

Second place:

David Fryxell

Desert Exposure

“Continental Divide”

Honorable mention:

John Hazelhurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“Perhaps it’s best”

C7

Editorials

First place:

John Hazelhurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“At Issue”

“These were interesting, readable piece that conveyed opinion and facts nicely. It’s important for editorials top not just state facts and opinions but to also be entertaining and at times edgy. I believe these pieces included all of this and more.”

Second place:

David Fryxell

Desert Exposure

“Editors’ Notebook”

Honorable mention:

Kate Hawthorne

Northern Colorado Business Report

C8

Headlines
first place:

Gail Binkly

Four Corners Free Press

“These headlines are not only catchy, with creative use of the classic
double-meaning technique, but also simply and clearly written, and
therefore effective.”

 
second place:

Noah Guillaume

Northern Colorado Business Report 

C9

Education reporting

First place:

Tammy Krantz

Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

“Following the signs”

Second place:

Caroline Kipp

Westminster Window

“New Year, new educational system”

Honorable mention:

Caroline Kipp

Westminster Window

“Building safer schools”

C10

Political reporting

First place:

David Fryxell

Desert Exposure

“Pirates of the Roundhouse:

“Strong piece of political watchdog reporting chronicling the cost of New Mexico’s lax government ethics rules. Fryxell is a thorough reporter and entertaining writer.”

Second place:

Josh Smith

SUU Journal

“Gun Run”

Honorable mention:

John Hazelhurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“Inaugural collectibles”

C12

Science/Environment/Healthcare reporting

First place:

Jim Mimiaga

Four Corners Free Press

“A tangle of questions about tamarisk”

C13

Sports reporting

First place:

Michael Rinker

Hurricane Valley Journal

“Hurricane quiets the Thunder”

“How do you make a 54-0 rout sound interesting to a reader? Michael Rinker succeeds in a conversational style that mixes quotes with great detail!”

Second place:

Joseph Kolb

Gallup Herald

“Questionable decision”

Honorable mention:

John Jackson

Spanish Fork News

“5A Champions”

C14

Sports Feature

First place:

Jayme Otto

Women’s Adventure

“Shades of Gray”

“Well written and thorough based on extensive research story flows well from start to finish. Numerous quotes enhance readability”

Second place:

Namon Bills

The Sentinel

“Goal oriented”

C16

Business reporting

Kristen Tatti

Northern Colorado Business Report

“Dispute over Iphone apps breaks legal ground and wind”

“Ms. Tatti’s story clearly tells the tale of two technology companies caught in a legal battle, but importantly uses the piece to give readers a much broader understanding of intellectual property rights within a quickly evolving market. The story features a strong balance of news and information relevant to business readers. Finally, the article is written in an objective style with language that is appropriate to the subject matter yet rightly resists the temptation to overuse clichés.”

C17

Business feature

First place:

Kristen Tatti and Chad Collins

Northern Colorado Business Report

“Banking industry has deep roots”

“Ms. Tatti and Mr. Collins take the time to give readers an in-depth look at one of their local community’s most important and relevant industries – banking. The authors smartly use names and histories, instead of companies, to trace the story of this local industry’s local roots. News and historical facts are presented well within the framework of a business feature. Finally, the story’s design and presentation should be noted as an excellent way to communicate the story’s content.”

Second place:

Anne Cumming Rice

Northern Colorado Business Report

“For the love of the art of construction”

Honorable mention:

John Hazlehurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“Real? Fake?”

C18

Business Enterprise

First place:

Sonja Horosko

Four Corners Free Press

“Inherit the wind”

“A thorough well-reported probe into both the high stakes – and big players – in the push for green power. The author did a solid job in weaving together the political and economic issues.”

Second place:

John Hazlehurst

Colorado Springs Business Journal

“It the pension fund safe?”

C19

Business columns

First place:

Steve Porter

Northern Colorado Business Report

“Mr. Porter uses his columns to tackle important topics that may surprise readers, an essential part of any columnist’s mission. The strength of this author’s submissions comes from conveying human tales within a compelling news context, which makes each piece relevant to readers.”

Second place:

Kristen Tatti

Northern Colorado Business Report

C20

Arts and entertainment feature

First place:

Sonja Horosko

Freelance/Durango Herald

“Indian artist’s show opens in Cortez”

“Good opening lead. Descriptive, interesting and insightful”

Second place:

Sonja Horosko

Freelance/Durango Herald

“Artist looks for essential form”

Honorable mention:

Tammy Krantz

Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

“Most peoples’ junk mail…”

C21

Arts and entertainment criticism

First place:

Tammy Krantz

Metro North News

“Old Man River”

C22

Arts and entertainment (food and beverage)

First place:

Jane Albritton

Northern Colorado Business Report

“Restaurants in recession”

C24

News photography

First place:

Kate Jarman

Spanish Fork Press

“North Park”

“Great spot news fire photo to capture the wildlife in the middle of the fire was great. Hands down 1^st place winner.”

Second place:

Elliot Evans

The Lowry News

“Brush fire at Lowry”

Honorable mention:

Richard Harris

Spanish Fork Press

“House fire”

C25

Feature photography

First place:

Richard Joyce

Redstone Review

“A bald eagle”

“Caught the animal in motion at the perfect time. Stood out over the other entries. Good job”

Second place:

Richard Harris

Spanish Fork Press

“Peaceful wind power”

Honorable mention:

Namon Bills

Spanish Fork Press

“Tall and short”

C26

Sports photography

First place:

Todd Roach

Spanish Fork Press

“Face it”

“Great high moment in softball. Good job.”

Second place:

Michael Rinker

Hurricane Valley Journal

“Tigers chew Redmen”

Honorable mention:

Danette Clayson

Spanish Fork Press

“SF rallies”

This entry was posted by John Ensslin on Sunday, April 11th, 2010 at 11:47 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.