NINA 2001 AWARD WINNERS

Announced Oct. 26, 2001, at NIU

[ Individual Awards ] ... [ Sweepstakes and Special Awards ]

DESIGN

Group I

3rd: Staff, Woodford County Journal

2nd: Dean Curtis and Kim Kubiak, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News

1st: Leslie Flint, The Elburn Herald
COMMENT: Great use of large photographs and easy-to-read captures reader attention and interest. Easy to read index and good, bold headlines contribute to this well-laid out paper.

Group II

HM: Kim Kubiak, Sycamore News

3rd: Staff, Catholic Explorer

2nd: Paul Christenson, The Sun

1st: Patrick Uphill, Antioch/Lake Villa/Lindenhurst Bulletin
COMMENT: Nicely-designed masthead, clean, crisp lines, and great page and section headers make this paper stand out above others in its group. A very easy-to-read paper.

Group III

HM: Inger Koch, Daily Chronicle

3rd: Staff, The Daily Journal

2nd: Staff, Kane County Chronicle

1st: Staff, The Dispatch
Comment: Big, bold headlines, consistent typography, and great use of color make this paper a winner. Sections are nicely laid-out. An outstanding Quad-Cities area section full of local news and events.

HEADLINE

Group I

3rd: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent

2nd: Richard Parmater, The Regional News

1st: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal
COMMENT: His headlines do what the best headlines are supposed to do - that is, they manage to be catchy, clear and summarize the story...all in a very tight space. Well done.

Group II

3rd: Kimberly Watley, Sycamore News

2nd: Kathy Siebrasse, The MidWeek.

1st: Tom Martin, Bureau County Republican
COMMENT: Lively headlines that quickly draw in reader attention. Martin did a good job.

Group III

3rd: Bryan Noonan, The Beacon News

2nd: Dan Waitt, The Beacon News

1st: Joe Gillette, The Beacon News
COMMENT: (In reference to the McDonald's headline): Some might regard this headline as a little corny, but in this case it was appropriate. It caused me to groan but th en, in reflection, it captured the flavor of the anti-McDonald's article.

GENERAL FEATURE STORY

Group 1

HM: Steve Sassi, The Woodstock Independent, "Police training uses virtually real force"

3rd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Dancing Feet to Feet

2nd: Pam Thomas, Woodford County Journal, "Honor Thy Father"

1st: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "The Internet Line of Defense"
Comment: A disturbing, ground-level look at the world of online sexual predators. Who knows how much pain this story saved families in your community?

Group 2

HM: Sandy Illian Bosch, The Doings, "Hospital Funny Business: The Healing Power of Humor"

HM: Susan Frick Carlman, The Sun (Homer Edition), "Bittersweet Release"

3rd: Karen Chadra, The Doings, "They Don't Call Themselves Heroes."

2nd: Karen Hanson, The Plainfield Sun, "Like Yesterday."

1st: Susan Frick Carlman, The Plainfield Sun, "A Life Erased."
Comment: Beautifully and sensitively written story of how a family struggles with Dad's memory loss due to a car accident. True immersion reporting -- intimate details put the reader in the family's midst.

Group 3

HM: Steve Lord, The Beacon News, "Leaving home"

HM: Benjie Hughes, The Beacon News, "Aids has no face"

3rd: Brenda Schory, Kane County Chronicle, "The naked truth about nudism"

2nd: Tory Brecht, The Dispatch, "Q-C men proud to help resurrect ship and bring her home"

1st: Benjie Hughes, The Beacon News, "Through the Eyes of Depression"
Comment: The writer skillfully places the reader in the subject's shoes. Suddenly, everything that happens in the story is happening to the reader -- who can't put the paper down.

PERSONALITY FEATURE

Group I

HM: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Century mark

3rd: Caryl Dierksen, The Woodstock Independent, "Talent plus desire equals success for young Euclid"

2nd: Paul Rock, Hampshire Register News, "Custodial moonlights and fulfills dreams of education"

1st: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "On target"
COMMENT: This first place writer swept herself and the judge and presumably her editor and her readers along with the excitement of the feature person, as he "soared" as he swept the children's categories in a sports competition - and then won as an adult.

Group II

HM: Donna DeFalco and Sally Washburn, Sun Publications, "Standing tall"

HM: Kathy Farren, Kendall County Record, "It's a different world out there"

HM: Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican, "The kid prefers goats"

HM: Marie Lazzara, Elmhurst Press, "Butterflies are free"

3rd: Paul Barile, The Wheaton Leader, "Spectacular siblings"

2nd: Stefanie Frazier, Kendall County Record, "Local part-time actress is living her dream"

1st: Karen Hanson, The Sun (Lincoln-Way), "Road warrior"
COMMENT: This first place winner caught the judge's attention in the very first sentence: "He's the guy you probably don't want to see." The judge said he was intrigued, more solidly than by any other entry in this category.

Group III

HM: Rachel Reynolds, The Daily Journal, "Home and Abroad"

HM: Tom Schlueter, Kane County Chronicle, "He left his small town and found a world war"

HM: Tracy Ahrens, The Daily Journal, "Losing young son to brain tumor has mother searching for purpose"

HM: Sharon Foss, Kane County Chronicle, "The purple store"

HM: Dan Campana, Daily Chronicle, "Mayor makes re-election bid official"

HM: Tracy Ahrens, "The Daily Journal, "In Clayton, we believe"

3rd: Sharon Woods Harris, The Daily Times, "I finally made it!"

2nd: Judy Masterson, The News Sun, "Answering the call"

1st: Mike Norbut, The Beacon News, "Lost in her world"
COMMENT: The first place winner managed to tell a whole story in his first paragraph, yet made me eager to learn more about the person and her story to find out what happened.

FEATURE SECTION

Group I

2nd: Staff, The Regional News, "Out and About"

1st: Staff, The Woodstock Independent, "Community"
COMMENT: Their community section packs a wallop of local news into a tightly-edited package.

Group II

HM: Susan Ryan, The Doings, "Images"

3rd: Josh Larsen and Night and Day Staff, Sun Publications, "Night & Day"

2nd: Catey Sullivan and Paul Barile, "Suburban Life Citizen, "Arts & Entertainment"

1st: Rose Marie Mikoljak, Elmhurst Press, "Lifestyle"
COMMENT: "Lifestyle" mixes bright writing, clever headlines, and inviting design"

Group III

HM: Jessica Lee and Jeanine Tustison, The Courier News, "Go"

3rd: Martha Quetsch, Kane County Chronicle, "Lifestyle"

2nd: Joe Payne, The Dispatch, "Life"

1st: Penny Falcon, The Beacon News, "Your Life"
COMMENT: "Your Life" has the luxury of very large photographs in a sea of white space. But it also uses great attention-getters to draw readers into good clean copy.

COLUMN

Group I

HM: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Feeling good and breathing easy"

3rd: Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Stealing a few thoughts"

2nd: Paul Rock, Hampshire Register News, "I dream of Gerald"

1st: Kate Harrigan, The Regional News, "In the basement of my fondest dreams"
COMMENT: We can see Diana's place; column is well-written, tone if just right. Men-your peek into a woman's world.

Group II

3rd: Rose Marie Mikoljak, Elmhurst Press, "Letting go"

2nd: Jack Zimmerman, Elmhurst Press, "Hold the salt"

1st: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "One big disappointment"
COMMENT: I loved the down-to-earth story of the star-struck quality in all of us.

Group III

HM: Todd Welvaert, The Dispatch, "Treasures to find in a block of pine"

HM: Joe Payne, The Dispatch, "Yoga classes relax bodies and minds"

3rd: Todd Welvaert, The Dispatch, "Visions of death offer lessons for life"

2nd: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "All that once was"

1st: Benjie Hughes, The Beacon News, "Summer and all it embraces"
COMMENT: Beautifully written; this really evokes the feeling of that first warm night of summer.

EDITORIAL

Group I

3rd: Richard Parmater, The Regional News, "Bringing efficient firefighting and ambulance coverage to all of Cook County's forest preserves"

2nd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Minonk Council railroaded again"

1st: Richard Parmater, The Regional News, "Of Mayor and Mister and the awful power of words"

Group II

3rd: Beth Demes, Evanston RoundTable, "City should continue to promote high-tech, high-growth development"

2nd: Janet Pimentel, The Doings, "In the eye of the beholder"

1st: Roger Matile, The Ledger-Sentinel, "The check's in the mail and it's a real drag"

Group III

3rd: Chris Cashman, The News Sun, "A senseless death"

2nd: Craig Peterson, The Daily Times, "Blackout status in local murder"

1st: John Kelleher, The Daily Chronicle, "Sparrow deserves support of public"

SMALL SINGLE ADVERTISEMENT

Group I

3rd: Justin Skolnick, The Woodstock Independent, "D.C. Cobbs"

2nd: Patricia LeFevre, The Regional News, "Kingsberry Restaurant"

1st: Mark Lobo, The Woodstock Independent, "English Rose Boutique"

Group II

HM: Deb Bodner and Penny Bunnell, The MidWeek, "Bubble Bath Bay"

3rd: Margaret Bain and Joe Earl, The MidWeek, "Paulson's"

2nd: Becky Campbell, The Doings, "Mary Vincent Gallery"

1st: Peggy Mantia, Catholic Explorer, "Circulation Ad"

Group III

HM: Maria Spargur and Jeff Domagalski, The Daily Journal, "Riverside Fitness Center"

3rd: John Fettered and Andrew Meyer, The Daily Journal, "Auto Section"

2nd: Staff, Kane County Chronicle, "Strawflower Shop"

1st: Staff, The Beacon News, "Old Second Bank"

LARGE SINGLE ADVERTISEMENT

Group I

3rd: Leslie Flint, The Elburn Herald, "Christmas"

2nd: Denise Graff Ponstein, The Woodstock Independent, "Harvest Savings"

1st: Mark Lobo, The Woodstock Independent, "No Spring Chicken"

Group II

HM: Michael Rickman, Catholic Explorer, "Pierce Wholesale Roofing and Siding Company"

3rd: Jim Slonoff, The Doings, "Circulation Ad"

2nd: Peggy Mantia, Catholic Explorer, "Circulation Ad"

1st: Erin Nolan and Amy Collins, The MidWeek, "Mango's Mango Fest"

Group III

HM: David Dressler and Tom Goodrich, The Daily Journal, "Michaels Honda"

3rd: Bill Wall, The Beacon News, "Smykal Associates"

2nd: Maria Spargur and Lyle Turro, The Daily Journal, "Consumers Illinois Water Company"

1st: Sue Pueler and Scott Comperda, Kane County Chronicle, "Zimmerman Ford"

ADVERTISING SPECIAL SECTION

Group I

3rd: Kim Kubiak, Hampshire Register News, "Hampshire/Burlington...A Great Place to Live"

2nd: Cheryl Wormley, The Woodstock Independent, "Summer Plus"

1st: Mark Barra, Woodford County Journal, "Census Nonsense"
COMMENT: This winner took a NON-topic - a topic most of us would never associate with a special advertising section - a topic that happens only once every ten years, the census, and rethinks it into a humor section called, "Census Nonsense." This paper ran a questionable survey, and laced the ads with the sills results. Such as the number of VCR's you own, and your favorite ice flavor. One VCR per family. Vanilla nudged out chocolate.

Group II

3rd: Kimberly Watley, Kim Kubiak, and Dean Curtis, Paul Rock, Sycamore News, "Sycamore Pumpkin Fest"

2nd: Jamie Bickett and Staff, Bureau County Republican, "A Guide to Bureau County"

3rd: Mary Breslin, Catholic Explorer, "Explorer"
COMMENT: This winner took an old, tired topic - school week - the week in mid-winter when advertisers surround "report cards" from individual schools - and found a way between fresh writing in both the ad copy and the news test to pull off a bright success.

Group III

3rd: Char Gilette, The Beacon News, "Good Fortunes"

2nd: Editorial Staff and Advertising Staff, Kane County Chronicle, "Celebrating the Family"

1st: Staff, The Daily Times, "Life Times Magazine"
COMMENT: The initial issue of "Life Times Magazine" showed a spirit of artistic excitement that embodied the explosive flavor of an entertainment magazine, and this spirit - along with a complement of interesting articles - showed great promise for continued success as a monthly advertising special section - with ads and content.

PUBLIC SERVICE
Group I

2nd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, County Airport Reconsiders New Airport

1st: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, Ownership and Annexation Referendums
Comment: The Woodstock Independent gave its readers the basis to make sound decisions in a local development referendum involving TIF funds and land annexation. Solid investigative reporting, editorial statements raising important public interest questions, and graphics combine to give the paper's coverage clear impact on civic involvement and the quality of the community's decision.

Group II

HM: Larry Gavin, Evanston Roundtable, School District 65

HM: Debbie McDaniel, The MidWeek, "Let's Talk Turkey" Campaign

HM: Mary Breslin and Staff, Catholic Explorer, The Gift of Christmas

3rd: John Etheredge and Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, Tax Bills

2nd: Staff, The Doings, First Amendment commitment

1st: Kim Kubiak and Kimberly Watley, Sycamore News
Comment: A series of well-written, in-depth articles and an editorial informs the community about a violence prevention initiative in local schools and reinforces community commitment to the program and pride in it. The series clearly fostered and heightened public awareness and involvement regarding violence prevention in local schools.

Group III

HM: Sharon Woods Harris, The Daily Times, Freedom of Speech vs. School Board

3rd: Michelle Krupa, Mike Cetera, Brian Shields, Nell Smith, The Beacon News, Writing Stories that Champion Minorities and Bring People Together

2nd: Staff, The Daily Chronicle, Hispanics in the Heartland

1st: Staff, The Daily Journal, "Skin Deep"
Comment: Gutsy eight-part series on race relations entitled "Skin Deep." Entries from conclusion of series last summer show depth of substance, strong journalism. This work has created on-going impact on relations of paper and diverse groups in community as well as greater attention to racial dynamics in community overall.

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Ben Aldrich, Woodford County Journal, "Accident causes power outage"

2nd: Sher Gries, Woodford County Journal, "A time to remember"

1st: Jeremy Fisher, The Woodstock Independent, "Woodstock firefighters"
COMMENT: This photo of Woodstock firefighters extinguishing the last of smoldering debris is beautifully framed by a doorway and nicely lit.

Group II

3rd: Mark Busch, The Geneva Republican, "Under arrest"

2nd: Rose Subat, Sycamore News, "Abe gets lift"

1st: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "Firemen shoot water"
COMMENT: A dynamic rendition of three firefighters shooting water at a beam. Good composition, good color balance.

Group III

HM: Terry Herbig, The Dispatch, "Bresa Ramos consoles her father"

HM: Thomas Delany, Jr., The News Sun, "Tornado drill"

3rd: Marina Samovsky, The News Sun, "Match Day"

2nd: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Aurora Firefighter"

1st: Terry Herbit, The Dispatch, "A Moline firefighter carries the family pet..."
COMMENT: Herbig captured a moving moment of a daughter comforting her father after he lost his business to a fire. The big closeup was appropriate for the subject and got the reader into the event.

GENERAL FEATURE PHOTO

Group I

HM: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "Who's got who?"

3rd: Steve Sassi, The Woodstock Independent, "Catching some air..."

2nd: Rose Subat, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "The race is all tied up"

1st: Deborah McKenzie, The Woodstock Independent, "Ventriloquist"
COMMENT: Award is based on portrayal of humor, balance, and subject positioning. Visual impact draws readers' interest immediately.

Group II

HM: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "In unison"

3rd: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "A taste of winter"

2nd: Mark Busch, The Winfield Press, "Marshall Brodien of Geneva clowns around..."

1st: Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican, "Brady Nordstrom and one of his goats"
COMMENT: The photographer has successfully portrayed the gentleness of the subject by use of a slightly low angle and proximity to the subject. Size, tight crop, balance and reproduction qualify all reinforce the impact of the image.

Group III

3rd: Tom Sistak, The Daily Times, "What a glass"

2nd: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon-News, "How prisoners' garden grows"

1st: Wayne Ratzlaff, Kane County Chronicle, "Shannon Sullivan bounces..."
COMMENT: The element of joy and innocence portrayed earn top honors for this photographer. Excellent use of rule of thirds, color and reproduction quality.

SPORTS PHOTO

Group 1

HM: Wayne Ratzlaff, Hampshire Register News, "Run to daylight"

3rd: Steve Sassi, The Woodstock Independent, "Goalie in mid-air"

2nd: Mark Barra, Woodford County Journal, "Eureka pitcher"

1st: Rose Subat, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "Coach celebrates."
Comment: Amid pandemonium, the photographer found the perfect moment.

Group 2

HM: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Lions celebrate"

3rd: Mark Busch, North Aurora Republican, "Turning point"

2nd: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Spring Valley 3-on-3"

1st: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Three-pointer."
Comment: A good photographer knows the best shots sometimes are on the bench.

Group 3

HM: Dan Videtich, The Dispatch/Argus, "The look of a winner"

HM: Oscar Salinas, The Daily Journal, "Upside-down outfielder"

3rd: Don Vaughan, The Daily Chronicle, "Airborne"

2nd: Jimi Allen, The Beacon News, "Girl on the gridiron"

1st: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Moving the pile"
Comment: Great football shot from an unusual perspective. It's almost like the players posed for you.

PHOTO SERIES

Group I

HM: Rose Subat, Hampshire Register News, "It's not real...this time"

3rd: Wayne Ratzlaff, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "Davenport second graders spend time down on the farm"

2nd: Rose Subat, Hampshire Register News, "Salinas sisters make mark at state"

1st: Marina Samovsky, The Sun, "Senior spunk"
COMMENT: First place goes to a series of black and white and color photos that describe life in a senior center. We are shown residents interacting with each other and the staff. They all appear oblivious to the presence of the photographer who has managed to take amazingly good photographs of everyone there.

Group II

HM: Wayne Ratzlaff, Sycamore News, "Pumpkin festival"

3rd: Steve Bittinger, Warrenville Post, "Eight is enough"

2nd: Scott Hardesty, The Doings, "Rendezvous with our heritage"

1st: Lisa Anderson, Bureau County Republican, "Winter quiet"
COMMENT: The eight weather photos are uniformly good. Good composition and good color balance. Crisp photos when they need to be sharp and soft when the subject calls for it. I would like to commend this photo-editor of the Bureau County Republican for giving the photos the attention and layout they deserve.

Group III

HM: Randy Pomaro, Kane County Chronicle, "Mock disaster drill"

3rd: Tracy Hayes, The Dispatch, "Trooper Talbot 'died doing what he loved'"

2nd: Jimi Allen, The Beacon News, "Season's journey"

1st: Steve Rosenberg, The Beacon News, "Lost in her world: A family's struggle with Alzheimer's"
COMMENT: "A Family's Struggle with Alzheimer's" is an excellent example of documentary photography. The opening shot, nicely backlit, illustrates Mrs. Czischki's confusion, as does the photo of an index finger pointing at a family photo, and the low-angle shot of her descending to the basement, and the high-angle shot in which the subject's face is half-covered. Good use of black, all photos are printed well. Story told with clarity and sensitivity.

SPORTS STORY

Group I

HM: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Korhonen still going like 60"

HM: Jeff Wiseman, Woodford County Journal, "Thrice is nice"

3rd: Kathy Jerbi, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News, "G-K's Brummel takes 5th in hurdles"

2nd: Mark Moring, The Elburn Herald, "Knights' Pitstick: Sure beats working"

1st: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "The traveling man finds a home"
COMMENT: Ken Karrson spins an entertaining tale of one young man's roller coaster ride through high school and college football. The reader's head spins learning of Zak Kustok's dizzying journey from one school to the next, making commitments and settling in just in time to watch coaches leave, offensive schemes change and benches seeking warmers. The story is packed with heartbreak, more heartbreak and even a lawsuit, and Karrson juggles it all for a clear and enjoyable read.

Group II

HM: Joe Henricksen, Kendall County Record, "From coach to speaker"

3rd: Brad Engel, The Naperville Sun, "A prospect's journey"

2nd: Joe Goddard, The Doings, "Remembering a coaching legend: Friends share found memories of Canino"

1st: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, " (The) Dalzots repeat for Dad"
COMMENT: Rarely has a story about a fishing tournament provided such emotion and excitement. The lead's mystery - "a third man in their boat" - whets the reader's appetite for the sad detail in the third paragraph. The poignant quotes from the brothers about the attitude entering the tournament and t heir thoughts while on the river keep the reader involved. Meanwhile, the reporting of the tough weather conditions reads like a Zane Gray novel. I only wish Ellerbrock would've maintained the Dalzot story until the end.

Group III

HM: Bill Scheibe, The Herald News, "Who's got Game"

HM: Marc Nesseler, The Dispatch, "No joke: Quad City Coach Haege joins snub list"

3rd: Bob Regan, The Daily Chronicle, "A Huskie for all seasons: Brigham's NIU career spans 50 years"

2nd: Mike Egenes, The Dispatch, "Cornfield: Leader of flock"

1st: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "Gold mettle"
COMMENT: This story is compelling and well-told, the lead written so well it would not seem out of place on the first page of a novel. The key detail provided in the seventh paragraph - that Michael Bennett learned to box while in prison - comes like a surprise left jab to the chin. Thanks for saving it! One criticism: The story fails to explain how Bennett is allowed to leave the country, let alone the state, while still on parole.

SPORTS COLUMN

Group I

3rd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "What's next to Godliness? Not basketball."

2nd: Jeff Wiseman, Woodford County Journal, "Longevity a common trait among junior high coaches"

1st: J.W. Shults, "Woodford County Journal, "Monster buck blues"
COMMENT: Shults is a true storyteller. He uses mystery, humor and fantasy to tease readers along through his story. Even for those who aren't hunting devotees, it's hard not to read on after this opening: "I think the best place to begin this story is with a monster buck not 15 yards from my hunting blind."

Group II

3rd: Joe Henricksen, The Ledger-Sentinel, "Jackie's Field of Dreams became a reality"

2nd: Joe Goddard, The Doings, "Canino's plan: Make Central better"

1st: Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican, "Angel in the outfield"
COMMENT: With just the right voice and tone, Ellerbrock tells the story of Little Leaguers bounding back from the loss of one of their own stars.

Group III

HM: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "Wrestler's removal falls into weighty issue"

3rd: Marc Nesseler, The Dispatch, "It's tough to make sense out of tragedy"

2nd: Jeff Long, The Beacon News, "When it's East-West, there seems to be no conflict of interest for Paula Thomas"

1st: Marc Nesseler, The Dispatch, "Coach Aronson, I finally get it"
COMMENT: Nesseler weaves a funny and touching tribute to a high school coach whose lessons of life endure, even from beyond the grave.

SPORTS SECTION

Group I

3rd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News

2nd: Jeff Wiseman, Woodford County Journal

1st: Kathy Jerbi, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News
COMMENT: Great use of photographs and color make this section nice to look at. User-friendly headlines and layout make stories and stats easy to find.

Group II

HM: Joe Yovino and Mike Sandrolini, Suburban Life Citizen

3rd: Craig Brueske and Paul Johnson, St. Charles Republican

2nd: Kathy Jerbi, Sycamore News

1st: Kevin Hieronymus and Charlie Ellerbrock, Bureau County Republican
COMMENT: A visually attractive section with nicely-placed photographs and graphics.

Group III

3rd: Bill Kindt, The Beacon News

2nd: Steve Nemeth, Daily Chronicle

1st: Marc Nesseler, The Dispatch
COMMENT: It's nice to have prominence placed on community sporting events. Great use of color to highlight quotations, headlines, stats, and jumps lures the reader further into the section.

SPOT NEWS STORY

Group I

3rd: Lisa Wiet, The Elburn Herald, "Death of 19 dogs under official investigation"

2nd: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Sugar Grove man dies following police chase"

1st: J. W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Guns threatened at EMS"
COMMENT: This package illuminated some of the struggles faced by schools in the post-Columbine era. It balanced a good, factual story that outlined the situation and the options available to officials, with a very emotional sidebar that told the story of one of those accused in the case.

Group II

3rd: Jennifer Thomas, The Doings, "Friends, classmates, gather to comfort, remember"

2nd: Tony Scott and Kathy Farren, Kendall County Record, "Columbine school officials have no record of counselor"

1st: Jim Harris, The Life, "President's return gets mixed reactions"
COMMENT: A spirited - but balanced - account of a raucous meeting that put the reader right in the council chambers. It provides the background needed to understand the importance of the meeting, while still conveying the tense, combative atmosphere of the event.

Group III

3rd: Brian Shields, The Beacon News, "Fire leaves family homeless"

2nd: Frank Abderholden, The News Sun, "Stray gang shot kills mom at store"

1st: Janelle Walker, Paul Harth, and Gloria Carr, The Courier News, "Blood bath at Elgin bar"
COMMENT: A fantastic package of stories and sidebars that provide a detailed account of a murderous shooting spree in a bar. By speaking to friends of the victims, employees of the bar and even the girlfriend of the accused gunmen, the reporters paint a vivid picture of what happened in the bar that night and the terror experienced by those who were there.

IN-DEPTH NEWS STORY

Group I

3rd: J.W. Shults, Woodford County Journal, "Benson accident still worst ever"

2nd: Lisa Wiet and Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Controversy surrounds Elburn police shake up"

1st: Christina Pudlewski Embry and Richard Parmater, The Regional News, "Veto"
COMMENT: This was a very complicated story that was explained clearly, in a logical and readable style."

Group II

3rd: Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican, "God and graduation"

2nd: Roger Matile, The Ledger-Sentinel, "Fox River trail words raises concerns"

1st: Dawn Raftery, The Doings, "Money isn't everything to ensure victory"
COMMENT: This reporter did a thorough job in tracking down where the money came from for a small town election and how it was spent. In this case, the old slogan of `follow the money,' proved truly enlightening.

Group III

3rd: Nick Reiher, The Herald News, "Victims of car's hidden scars"

2nd: Dan Campana, The Daily Chronicle, "Fear in DeKalb"

1st: Chris Rickert, The Daily Chronicle, "Landlords: Ordinances not all bad"
COMMENT: This was a good enterprise effort. The reporter decided to go out and compare DeKalb's proposed landlord ordinance to ordinances already in effect in Urbana and Evanston. This took a great deal of initiative and effort and help put the situation in good perspective.

NEWS STORY SERIES
Group I

3rd: Deborah McKenzie, The Woodstock Independent, "Family health clinic"

2nd: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Not just eats and sheets"

1st: J.W. Shults and Cheryl Wolfe, Woodford County Journal, "Alternatives in education"
COMMENT: This well-written series was extensively researched, and it presented clear, specific accounts and insights into home schooling and the issues surrounding its growing popularity.

Group II

3rd: Donna Barker, Bureau County Republican, "Sheriff Greg Johnson"

2nd: Penny Wiegert, The Observer, "Haiti"

1st: Amy M. Kozy, West Chicago Press, "Thorium"
COMMENT: This series tracked the history of a 25-year-old community issue clearly and comprehensively and brought the relevance of the story squarely into the present tense.

Group III

3rd: Pam Berenger and Tory Brecht, The Dispatch, "Q-C sex clubs"

2nd: Kathleen Roberts, Mike Danahey, and Gloria Carr, The Courier News, "White powder, dark vortex"

1st: Nell Smith, The Beacon News, "Painful choices"
COMMENT: A powerful treatment of a difficult subject, eloquently written in a way that not only helped make sense of confusing health care programs for seniors, but captured the enormity of the problem from the eyes of those most affected.

BUSINESS/FINANCIAL/CONSUMER STORY

Group I

3rd: Sher Gries, Woodford County Journal, "Alig Pumpkin Farm is Jack-o'-Lantern Heaven"

2nd: Lisa Wiet, The Elburn Herald, "Second Chain Grocer Vies for Elburn"

1st: Eileen Millard, The Woodstock Independent, "What's Happening on Main Street"
COMMENT: Interesting story breakdown and headings. This story looks at many different angles to identify economic problems in the community.

Group II

3rd: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Credit Card Fraud: It can Be Tough to Keep Your Number Private"

2nd: Sandy Illian Bosch, The Doings, "Moms Makin' It Work: Creative Solutions Let Women Balance Kids and Careers"

1st: Victoria Scott, Evanston Round Table, "The Center for Independent Futures: New Visions for Developmentally Disabled Young Adults"
COMMENT: Well-written, concise, and interesting. This story included good background material on normal-life facilities for people with disabilities.

Group III

3rd: Frank Abderholden, The News Sun, "Last Serving: Romantic Ingleside Restaurant Closes Its Doors for Good"

2nd: Sharon Woods Harris, The Daily Times, "Heating Bills Concern Schools"

1st: Mike Danahey, The Courier News, "What's in Store on Retail Road"
COMMENT: Good overview of economic growth. This story emphasized both the business and consumer perspective.

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
Group I

3rd: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "Building a prairie"

2nd: Sher Gries, Woodford County Journal, "Fruit of the vine at El Paso"

1st: Beth Kink, The Regional News, "A matter of measurement"
COMMENT: An intriguing presentation of the details involved in auto crash analyses - it's a matter of applied math and physics.

Group II

3rd: Maria Lazzara, Elmhurst Press, "Keeping it pumping"

2nd: Jamie Bickett, Bureau County Republican, "USSC turns beans into profit"

1st: Jamie Bickett, Bureau County Republican, "SCN battle begins in the dirt"
COMMENT: A short, informative primer on soybean cyst nematodes (SCN).

Group III

3rd: Tom Schlueter, Kane County Chronicle, "Cranking up for Run II"

2nd: Ted Slowik, The Herald News, "Is radium scare just a bubble?"

1st: Mike Danahey, The Courier News, "Small world getting smaller"
COMMENT: Insight into the meaning of nanotechnology and its importance to Northern Illinois"

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Group I

1st: Staff, The Woodstock Independent, "How they voted"
COMMENT: A straight-forward, clean approach to the difficult task of presenting voting records. Allows the constituent to decide which issues are important and to make comparisons.

Group II

3rd: Greg Wallace, Bureau County Republican, "Montgomery now poised to boom"

2nd: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "Why the divorce"

1st: Greg Wallace, Bureau County Republican, "Beside still waters"
COMMENT; A user-friendly guide to the Hennepin Canal. An attractive layout and simple graphics are enhanced by the accompanying photos. I can't wait to visit!

Group III

3rd: Nancy Burgan, The Daily Journal, "The final lap"

2nd: Chad Marda, The Beacon News, "This Super Sunday is D-Day"

1st: Nancy Burgan, The Daily Journal, "Caught in the crossfire"
COMMENT: A fitting tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt. Statistics for the fan. An attractive layout and moving photos catch the eye of even the non-fan.

EDITORIAL PAGE DESIGN

Group I

3rd: Staff, Woodford County Journal

2nd: Dean Curtis and Kim Kubiak, Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland News

1st: Staff, The Woodstock Independent
COMMENT: There's nothing flashy here - just solid, clean layout. The "Word on the Street" feature is an attractive design.

Group II

2nd: Jim Slonoff, The Doings

1st: Tom Martin, Bureau County Republican
COMMENT: The best use of graphics in what can be an ocean of text. Boxes and headlines clearly delineate different components. Headshots are large enough to see.

Group III

3rd: Craig Peterson, The Daily Times

2nd: Jim King, The Beacon News

1st: Staff, Kane County Chronicle
COMMENT: The editorial staff places fewer items on its editorial page, which allows for larger text, more white space and a crisp, clean look.

SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS
(for overall excellence in circulation groups I, II, III)

Group I (Don R. Grubb Trophy): Woodford County Journal

Group II (C.V. Amenoff Trophy): Bureau County Republican

Group III (James Copley Trophy): The Beacon News

W.E. WILLIAMS AWARD

Sponsored by Star Newspapers for the best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group II.

2001 winner: Dawn Raftery, The Doings, "Money isn't everything to ensure victory"

TOM REAY AWARD

Sponsored by Rockford Register Star for the best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group III

2001 winner: Chris Rickert, The Daily Chronicle, "Landlords: Ordinances not all bad"

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