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2008 Better Newspaper Contest — Community Service

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Community Service

Daily Division

1. Victoria Advocate — “Law enforcement and DA’s office” Strong and sustained context. Great use of public records laws. Effective third-party sourcing for outside, objective perspective. Solid sourcing overall that was fair to all sides. Forceful and reasoned editorials and editor’s commentary. Very fine work.

2. Odessa American — “Remembering our fallen heroes” Powerful words and images. Congratulations on helping bring together a community to grieve and heal. Great idea to create poster and bumper stickers.

3. The Galveston County Daily News — “Power Play” Reporter clearly understood the topic and wrote with authority. He and the newspaper should be commended for tackling this complex issue.

4. Alice Echo News Journal — “Morris Miracle Marchers” Noble work like this speaks well of the connections a committed newspaper has to the community it serves.

Semiweekly Division

1. Hood County News — “Support our troops: Adopt one” Wonderful way to honor local members of the military, to engage the community and to lead the effort. Well done.

2. The Graham Leader — “Fighting obesity” Great idea and a courageous effort to let others in on your personal story. Readers appreciate sincerity. The explanatory reporting was strong as well.

3 and 4. None awarded.

Weekly Division

1. Hays Free Press, Kyle — “Abuse of power” This is really impressive community watchdog reporting. No-fear digging got results. As the 11-21 editorial said, “You don’t have to be a big newspaper to do the big work.”

2. Mansfield News-Mirror — “Habitat for Humanity” Very heart-warming projects and inspiring to see so many staff members get involved and their hands dirty to bring this house to fruition.

3. Jackson County Herald Tribune — “Choice of a lifetime: teen pregnancy” The school superintendent’s note, “you guys have courage,” is right on. This is a thoughtful, well-sourced and well-measured series that gave the community a jumping-off point for an important discussion. Well done!

4. Duncanville Today — “Cancer awareness day” Great awareness campaign. I especially like the stories from those personally affected by cancer.