News honored at convention

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The New Richmond News picked up first- and third-place awards for its news coverage distributed through the internet during the annual Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest awards at Middleton Feb. 24.

Editor Jeff Holmquist and the staff at the News won the “General Web Excellence” award, a recognition that spotlights a newspaper that brings readers regular, comprehensive coverage via its web site.

“Clean design and strong organization lead to easy navigation for this web site. Image with each featured story on the home page helps promote content, while Area Voices bucket offers easy access to the blogs,” judges from the Illinois Press Association wrote. “Content presentation keeps the reader drilling for more.”

The News also earned a third place for its “Creative Use of Multimedia.” The recognition was based on a multimedia offering “Murderball,” by Jeff Holmquist, that incorporated images, writing and music.

The 2011 Better Newspaper Contest included 2,869 total entries from 135 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2011.

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) was established in 1853 and is the oldest press association in the world. Created by and for Wisconsin’s newspapers, WNA exists to strengthen the newspaper industry, enhance public understanding of ther role of newspapers, and protect basic freedoms of press, speech and the free flow of information.

Also at last weeks’ convention, members installed Steve Dzubay, publisher of the Star-Observer, River Falls Journal, Pierce County Herald, and New Richmond News, as association president.

Dzubay, 53, has served on various committee capacities and on WNA’s board of directors for several years.

Tags: new richmond, business, wisconsin