The Florida Press Association named Florida Weekly the best weekly newspapers in the state after the newspapers garnered 21 journalism prizes at the annual association awards program on Aug. 5.
This is the seventh time Florida Weekly has won the state’s top award. This year, in the category for weekly newspapers with circulation above 15,000, Florida Weekly writers, designers and editors won nine first-place, six second-place and six third-place awards.
Writer Roger Williams won the prestigious Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award for best general news story for “The Buck Starts Here,” a detailed account of professional bull riding in Arcadia. Mr. Williams, who also writes a weekly column, took second place for the Sally Latham Memorial Award for Serious Column.
“It’s very gratifying to be singled out by your peers for outstanding work,” said Florida Weekly Executive Editor Jeffrey Cull. “And this team works tirelessly week after week to create the type of newspaper that connects with our more than 200,000 weekly readers.”
Florida Weekly was founded in 2007 by J. Pason Gaddis, Mr. Cull and James Dickerson. In July, the Hoffmann Family of Companies acquired the nine newspapers in the group from the founders.
Among the first place prize winners are staff writers Laura Tichy, who won in the Outdoor & Recreation category; Nancy Stetson for Arts, Entertainment & Review Reporting; Evan Williams for Health, Medical & Science Reporting; and freelance writer Glenn Miller for reporting for the special section “Spring Training 2021.”
In addition to the individual awards, the editors and staff won for Overall Graphic Design, Best Headline and Community Service for a 24-page report titled “Understanding Autism.”
The Florida Press Association’s Weekly Newspaper Contest is open to monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, semiweekly, and tri- weekly newspaper members.
For more information and to see the stories and photos that were cited, see floridamediacontests.com. ¦
In the KNOW
Award winners
FIRST PLACE, for newspapers above 15,000 circulation
Overall Graphic Design – Staff
Best Headline – Staff
Community Service for “Understanding Autism” – Staff
Special Section for “Spring Training 2021” – Glenn Miller and Staff
General News for “The Buck Starts here” – Roger Williams
Informational Graphic – Scott Sleeper
Health, Medical & Science Reporting – Evan Williams
Arts, Entertainment & Review Reporting – Nancy Stetson
Outdoor & Recreation for “Liking Biking” – Laura Tichy
SECOND PLACE
Sports Photo – Chris Tilley
Sports Feature Story – Glenn Miller
Best Obituary – Roger Williams
Serious Column – Roger Williams
Agriculture & Environmental Reporting – Roger Williams
Chris Tilley was awarded second place in the Sports Photo category for his bull riding image. COURTESY PHOTO
Source: Florida Weekly
Source: FLORIDA WEEKLY
Source: FLORIDA WEEKLY
Roads and Transportation – Laura Tichy
THIRD PLACE
General News Story – Bob Massey
Front Page Makeup – Eric Raddatz and Lindi Daywalt-Feazel
Investigative Reporting – Roger Williams
In-Depth Reporting – Mary Wozniak
Business Reporting – Roger Williams
Photo Series in One Issue – Vandy Major