Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Crozet Gazette Entry Title: Theresa Curry Public Safety Writing Portfolio Entry Credit: Theresa Curry Judge Comment: A grand series of personality and informational features that personify community emergency services! The “feature” style uses human sources to provide context. And readers should get the delivered messages. Well written, well sourced!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: Fauquier County's most noteworthy court cases of 2025 Entry Credit: Tate Hewitt Judge Comment: These stories well written and multi-sourced. Murder story could have used details of original event to provide context for readers.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: Fauquier's Flock Safety cameras Entry Credit: Tate Hewitt, Sarah Dolgin Judge Comment: Excellent description of new-tech license plate-reading cameras considered by local law enforcement agencies and their values and limitations. Pro and con sourcing. Well written.
Competition Comment: Best element of each entry here is the focus on the human qualities related to the stories! Sourcing good; could be broader on couple entries. The writing, regardless of placement, good to excellent. Creating stories for readers goes beyod just relating what sources say and insertion of the "facts." Contextual reoorting is essential.
