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Independent Weekly Award-Winning Journalism

2007

  • Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism, "Dreams deferred" by Mosi Secret (Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families)

    Judges' comments: "The reporter conveys the complexities involving Derrick Steele's struggles to overcome addictions to find meaningful, legal work through a Durham jobs program. Secret also shows how the program falters through lack of funding and commitment, leaving participants unsteady and on the edge."

  • Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year, Community Division, Derek Anderson (North Carolina Press Association)

    This award honors the late Hugh Morton, owner of Grandfather Mountain, but best known for his passion for photography. He helped to start the N.C. Press Photographers Association and the Southern Short Course in News Photography. Morton's pictures appeared in Time, Life and National Geographic, and in countless newspapers. The award recognizes a photographer's body of work for the entire contest year. Judging the portfolio of 10 photographs took into account the content and composition of the photographs, as well as their technical quality and story-telling impact.

    Judges' comments: "Great use of light. Daring cropping. A clear winner. Intimacy with subjects. Sense of humor comes through. Great job! Keep pushing the envelope."

  • First Place, Investigative Reporting, "Stolen youth" by Mosi Secret, a profile of a teenage boy convicted of a crime he probably did not commit (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Powerful story by Mosi Secret casts doubt on the convection of a 15-year-old for robbery. It's obvious that a great deal of preparation went into this work, which has attracted much attention."

  • First Place, News Coverage by Bob Geary, Lisa Sorg and Fiona Morgan, for a package of stories previewing the N.C. General Assembly's 2007 session, including "The progressive prescription" and "Jones Street scorecard" (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "A big subject that could overwhelm the reader. It did not because it was divided into several 'bite-sized' elements that set out solutions to the perceived ills of N.C."

  • First Place, Feature Photography, "Drink it raw" by Derek Anderson, a feature story about the underground market for raw milk (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Great selection of varied images shot in lovely ambient light. The photos create a strong mood and no repetitive images."

  • First Place, Photo Page, "The longest road home" by Jeremy Lange, a double-page spread photo essay (and online slideshow) of a soldier's funeral (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Very nice mood and variation to the photos of this event. Nice use of perspective and depth of field. Black and white intensified the emotion."

  • First Place, Media Reporting/ Criticism, "Inside The Herald-Sun," "Technobarons of the 21st century," "A tangle of telco laws" by Fiona Morgan (Association of Alternative Newsweeklies)

    Judges' comments: "Fiona is proof positive of what the common tools of reporting can do when put in the hands of an uncommonly hard worker. Nothing is taken at face value, everything is reported out and then conveyed in clear, precise prose. She does great credit to her profession and her paper." —David Carr, media columnist, The New York Times

  • Second Place, General News Reporting by Ashley Roberts and Jennifer Strom, for a series of stories exposing the dog-fighting connections of a member of a citizens' committee on dog-tethering, which resulted in her resignation, including "Member of Orange County's chained-dog study panel has ties to dog-fighting" and "Orange dog panel member quits" (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Great dogged (no pun intended) reporting that shows that people will lie to you—and you don't have to accept it. Community papers need to be watchdogs—sorry, not intended again—and this one was, and had an impact."

  • Second Place, News Feature Writing, "Drink it raw" by Suzanne Nelson, a feature story about the underground market for raw milk (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "The author displays an original voice, which makes an unusual topic important while doing a good job of presenting both sides."

  • Second Place, Illustration, "Prince George" by Tyler Bergholz (AAN)

    Judges' comments: "I loved the expressiveness and personality of the illustrations." —Stephanie Grace Lim, former features design director, San Jose Mercury News

  • Third Place, Appearance and Design, the staff (NCPA)

    This entry consisted of two full issues of the paper (Oct. 4 & 11, 2006), judged for "attractiveness and consistency of layout, typography, use of photos, effective headlines and overall impact of the newspaper's appearance."

    Judges' comments: "Creative covers. Very easy to read and navigate through the paper."

  • Third Place, Arts Criticism, "Bait and switch," "The coming of the Lord," "Profits on a plane" by David Fellerath (AAN)

    Judges' comments: "These reviews are some of the best I've read in recent times. The author's depth of research brings each of the movies to life and provides a detailed context for understanding each of the films—each review takes on a life of its own but never loses its focus on the movie under scrutiny.... The author's dedication to each of the films enhances his credibility as a critic and storyteller: At times it seems as if the author were part of the movies' creative teams." —Art Janik, grant writer for New York City Center, a landmark performing arts center in Manhattan

  • Third Place, Website Content Feature, "Me Against Me" by Derek Anderson (AAN)

    Judges' comments: "A really nice job of using audio track and photos to add depth to a print feature." —Erin Kissane, editor of AListApart.com, an online magazine for people who make Web sites

  • Third Place, Photography, "Central Park South" by Lissa Gotwals (AAN)

    Judges' comments: "In my opinion, the best of the bunch. A nice variety of images that captured a mood and gave me a sense of place with visually appealing images." —Alicia Calzada, past president of the National Press Photographers Association

2006

  • First Place, Feature News Writing, “Dreams deferred” by Mosi Secret (North Carolina Press Association)

    Judges' comments: "So moving, I'm still thinking about it. An incredible amount of effort produced an incredible story. This entry was head and shoulders above the rest. You've taken in-depth writing to a new level. Excellent, excellent news feature."

  • First Place, Photography Page, “Central Park South” by Lissa Gotwals (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Stunning photos of everyday life. Texture and contrast are starkly riveting; moving section is beautifully executed."

  • Second Place, News Coverage, Staff (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "This large weekly stands out because of strong writing and reporting skills. Well worth wading through to find what you want and need."

  • Second Place, Editorials, Richard Hart (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Excellent topic choices. Well researched and convincing arguments."

  • Second Place, Arts Criticism: Theater Reviews, Byron Woods (AAN)

  • Second Place, Non-Deadline Reporting, “Growth rules!” by Jennifer Strom (Green Eyeshade Awards / Society of Professional Journalists)

  • Third Place, Feature Writing, “The infinite shag” by Chris Toenes (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "Great read. You made the reader feel the beat and hear the music. Keep up the great coverage and descriptive talent with words."

  • Third Place, News Feature Writing, “Going South” by Jennifer Strom (NCPA)

    Judges' comments: "The unique approach was what hooked me. Way to tell it like it really is. Excellent piece."

  • Third Place, News Story - Long Form, “Guards sound alarm over security at nuclear plant” by Sue Sturgis (AAN)

  • Third Place, Media Reporting/Criticism, “Paxton may have overpaid for Herald-Sun”, “Big cable wants public access denied” and “Rock talk is history at WRDU” by Fiona Morgan (AAN)

  • Third Place, Food Column, Arturo Ciompi (Association of Food Journalists)

  • Honorable Mention (Tie), Column, Derek Jennings (AAN)

  • Excellence in Media Award, Byron Woods (Raleigh Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities)

2005

2004

  • First Place, News Story, Jon Elliston (AAN)
  • First Place, Photo Illustration, “Copywrong” by York Wilson (NCPA)
  • First Place, Column, Melinda Ruley (AAN)
  • First Place, Investigative Reporting, “Deep Trouble” by Jennifer Strom (AAN)
  • First Place, Appearance & Design, Staff (NCPA)
  • First Place, Food Column, Arturo Ciompi (Association of Food Journalists)
  • Second Place, Feature Writing, “Paper mommies and friendly lawsuits” by Fiona Morgan (NCPA)
  • Second Place, Editorial Layout, “Against the Odds” by Liz Holm & M.J. Sharp (AAN)
  • Second Place, Use of Photographs, Staff (NCPA)
  • Third Place, Feature Photography, Lissa Gotwals (NCPA)
  • Third Place, News Enterprise Reporting, “Academia under siege” by Barbara Solow & Cat Warren (NCPA)
  • Third Place, Editorials, Kirk Ross (NCPA)

2003

  • First Place, Profile Feature, Fiona Morgan (NCPA)
  • First Place, Photo Illustration, Alex Maness (NCPA)
  • First Place, Business, “Blue Notes” by Barbara Solow (AAN)
  • First Place, Investigative Reporting, “Deep Trouble” by Jennifer Strom (NCPA)
  • Third Place, Editorials, Richard Hart (NCPA)

2002

  • Excellence in Media, “An Ounce of Prevention” by Barbara Solow (North Carolina Prevention Partners)
  • Outstanding Achievement in Removing Attitudinal Barriers Through Public Education About People with Disabilities (Triangle Access Award / Universal Disability Advocates)

2001

  • First Place, Arts Criticism, Godfrey Cheshire (AAN)
  • The Business and Industry Award, Progressive Journalism that Promotes Racial and Cultural Harmony in the Greater Durham Community (Durham Human Relations Commission)
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