Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Washington County News Entry Title: Murders rattle, rally small Mendota community; Facebook groups get boost from Pal's support; Rail-to-trail projects can connect towns with their past Entry Credit: Joe Tennis Judge Comment: Lots of local flavor in these columns. They immediately give the reader a taste of the locale and Joe obviously has deep roots in the community.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Washington County News Entry Title: The lost art of smiling; True love can be finding your own brand of weirdness; Don't buy those Christmas shoes Entry Credit: Catherine Rollins Judge Comment: These columns definitely have a voice. The writing is fluid and pulls the reader deeper. Local topics would have made this entry a winner.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Washington County News Entry Title: At Abingdon High, the show must go on; Herb dryer brings new opportunities for farmers; Jane Seymour talks TV, Johnny Cash and fan questions Entry Credit: Joe Tennis Judge Comment: Each of these columns could have made their own short feature stories, giving a blend between commentary and news.
