Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Smithfield Times Entry Title: Voters, law change, Rushmere Entry Credit: Stephen Faleski Judge Comment: This writer’s entries were thorough and showed writer had clear understanding of each issue and did excellent job of breaking it down for the reader. The ‘names removed from voter rolls’ story was well done, clear, and important to share. I also liked that the entry contained variety of issues and not one issue, and that stories provided pertinent information without being excessively long.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Rappahannock News Entry Title: Local government coverage in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Entry Credit: Tim Carrington Judge Comment: In-depth stories on the budget process and impact of cost of new courthouse on budget moved this entry to the top. Graphs were added touch. Would have liked a bit more attribution from source of info because at times seemed like writer's opinion seeped into story.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Tidewater News Entry Title: Resign, unity, details Entry Credit: Titus Mohler Judge Comment: Well written stories on issues that matter to the reader. Writer did good job reporting the tensions between city officials without giving a blow-by-blow. It’s thorough reporting, but stories did get lengthy. Resignation letter from city manager would have worked better as sidebar rather than in body of story, but good for including it.
Competition Comment: Not sure of the rules, but didn't see datelines on any entry... One entry was just a word doc.
But maybe some were from online newspapers....
Good stories
