NINA 2007 AWARD WINNERS

Announced Oct. 26 2007, at NIU

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

2007 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

DESIGN

Group I

2nd: The Elburn Herald

1st: The Woodstock Independent

Group II

HM: Weekly Journals

3rd: The Galena Gazette

2nd: The Doings

1st: Lake County Journals

Group III

HM: Kane County Chronicle

3rd: The Beacon News

2nd: The Rock Island Argus

1st: Lake County News-Sun

HEADLINE WRITING

Group I

3rd: Mike Neuman, The Woodstock Independent

2nd: Patrick Salem, The Woodstock Independent

1st: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent

Group II

3rd: Gail Gaboda, Weekly Journals

2nd: Danielle Schweigert, Lake County Journals

1st: Hank Brockett, The MidWeek

Group III

3rd: Chris Cashman, Lake County News-Sun

2nd: Evan McLaughlin, The Beacon News

1st: Marc Jenkins, Lake County News-Sun

GENERAL FEATURE

Group I

3rd: Matt Brennan, The Elburn Herald, "Lasting legacy"

2nd: Jennifer Murray, The Woodstock Independent, "Family affair: The Linds' reign at WHS comes to an end"

1st: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "Decades of distance"

Group II

3rd: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "It was the worst time it could hit"

2nd: Jeff Danna, The Doings, "Open all night"

1st: Eric Martin, The Doings, "While you are sleeping: Bakers hard at working making mornings sweet"

Group III

3rd: Craig Wieczorkiewicz, The Times, "Good to go"

2nd: Justina Wang, The Beacon News, "Mending Mike"

1st: Andre Salles, The Beacon News, "Sylvia's House"

FEATURE - PERSONALITY

Group I:

HM: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent, "Sprechen sie English: Rokus learns language, calls games"

3rd: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "Awesome neighbor"

2nd: Caryl Dirksen, The Woodstock Independent, "Blinded in an accident, local man gains different kind of vision"

1st: Caryl Dirksen, The Woodstock Independent, "Alice Nulle celebrates 75 years with a skydive"

Group II

HM: Jennifer Larsen Duda, The Doings, "Church celebrates parishioner's 100 years"

3rd: Jason Maholy, The Reporter, "Interview with the wine guy"

2nd: Diane Strand, The MidWeek, "Education, interrupted"

1st: Matt Pera, Lake County Journals, "Heading off trouble in all the right places"

Group III

HM: Dawn Neuses, The Rock Island Argus, "Rock Island pastor given second chance at life"

3rd: Dan Churney, The Times, "Warren wows 'em"

2nd: Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "Nicor employees"

1st: David Garbe, The Beacon News, "Living the life of a write-off"

FEATURE SECTION

Group I

1st: The Elburn Herald

Group II

3rd: Jenny Thomas, The Doings

2nd: Lake County Journals

1st: The Galena Gazette

Group III

3rd: The Daily Journal

2nd: Northwest Herald

1st: The Journal-Standard

COLUMN

Group I

3rd: John Dabb, The Woodstock Independent, "`Prego' and the Swiss army knife"

2nd: Susan W. Murray, The Woodstock Independent, "Parents say the reluctant goodbye"

1st: Kim Kubiak, The Woodstock Independent, "The day we found out our lives were changed forever"

Group II

3rd: Jack Murray, The Regional News, "Web poll madness"

2nd: Amy Alderman, The Galena Gazette, "Sharing traditions"

1st: Al Lagattolla, Weekly Journals, "Just a guy helping his wife"

Group III

3rd: Dan Campana, Kane County Chronicle, "What he thought he wanted"

2nd: John Marx, The Rock Island Argus, "Area teen who lost his life in house fire was a hero"

1st: Denise Crosby, The Beacon News, "A mother's wail, a bugle, another young soldier gone"

EDITORIAL

Group I

2nd: Patrick Salem, The Woodstock Independent, "Check the scoreboard"

1st: Ryan Wells, The Elburn Herald, "Maple Park Village President should rethink his threat"

Group II

HM: Brett Johnson, The Doings, "Racial profiling study needs better numbers"

HM: Jack Murray, The Regional News, "Bill strikes at freedoms in our libraries"

3rd(tie):Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "ComEd, ICC electrical service insanity"

3rd(tie):Jason Maholy, The Reporter, "TIF madness"

2nd(tie):Al Lagattolla, Weekly Journals, "Hampshire goes English"

2nd(tie): Mary Breslin, Catholic Explorer, "Feeding frenzy"

1st: P. Carter Newton, The Galena Gazette, "Bad for communities"

Group III

HM: Phil Angelo, The Daily Journal, "No to Williams"

HM: Chris Rickert, Daily Chronicle, "A newborn's smile worth fighting for"

HM: Don Hrabel, The Times, "County: Take appointments seriously"

3rd: Mike Cetera, The Beacon News, "Hidden danger on tap"

2nd: Chris Rickert, Daily Chronicle, "15 year olds don't belong in adult court"

1st: Kenda Burrows, The Rock Island Argus, "Blago to business: Drop dead"

SPECIAL SECTION

Group I

2nd: The Elburn Herald, "Summer guide 2006"

1st: The Woodstock Independent, "Familiar faces"

Group II

3rd: El Conquistador, "Hispanic heritage month"

2nd: Lake County Journals, "Forefronts"

1st: The Galena Gazette, "The Galenian"

Group III

HM: The Daily Journal, "Rewind: Best of 2006"

3rd: Northwest Herald, "10 by 2010"

2nd: The Naperville Sun, "2006 High School Football Preview"

1st: The Beacon News, "Special Edition Storyteller"

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Group I

None

Group II

HM: Beatriz Mendoza, El Conquistador, "Foster care homes needed for Latino children"

3rd: Staff, The Hinsdalean, "Stop downtown and park for free"

2nd: Louise Brass, The Plainfield Sun, "Praying for a miracle"

1st: Mary Breslin, Paul Storer, Kathrynne Skonicki, Jaqueline Pinn, Tracy Pollack, The Catholic Explorer, "Gift of Christmas"

Group III

HM: Benji Feldheim, Daily Chronicle, "What is myspace?"

3rd: None

2nd: Staff, The Rock Island Argus, "Travis Hearn"

1st: Staff, The Beacon News, "4 Teens Killed"

SPOT NEWS PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Cindy Peterson, The Woodstock Independent, "McCauley Road barn burns"

2nd: Kat Katkus, The Woodstock Independent, "Train track tension"

1st: Chris Larson, The Woodstock Independent, "Do not enter"

Group II

3rd: Mark Van Osdol, The Galena Gazette, "Don't walk!"

2nd: Annie Christie, Lake County Journals, "Carmel student killed"

1st: Chris Padgett, Lake County Journals, "Through the smoke"

Group III

HM: Marianne Mather, The Beacon News, "Soldier's funeral"

3rd: Todd Mizener, The Rock Island Argus, "Fire destroys popular bar"

2nd: Tom Sistak, The Times, "Daddy departs"

1st: Heather Eidson, The Beacon News, "Drivers, residents just soaking it up"

GENERAL FEATURE PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Benjamin Draper, The Elburn Herald, "You and me, Mom"

2nd: John DiDonna, The Elburn Herald, "Fine arts and good times"

1st: Jennifer Luckey Murphy, The Woodstock Independent, "An Egg-cellent find"

Group II

3rd: Steve Johnston, The Doings, "Homecoming Queen"

2nd: Benjamin Steckler, Weekly Journals, "Butter fingers"

1st: Jay Dickerson, The Galena Gazette, "Right on target"

Group III

3rd: Michael Schmidt, Lake County News-Sun, "Bald for good"

2nd: Tom Sistak, The Times, "This life"

1st: Thomas Delany, Lake County News-Sun, "MDA Fundraiser"

SPORTS PHOTO

Group I

3rd: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent, "High jump"

2nd: Tom Bartosik, The Woodstock Independent, "WHS begins 1-1 in division"

1st: Benjamin Draper, The Elburn Herald, "Wave of success"

Group II

3rd: Dave Krugley, The Regional News, "Chicago Christian's Justin Stuursma stretches…"

2nd: Annie Christie, Lake County Journals, "Kariann Hill of Grant, takes a moment…"

1st: Steve Johnston, The Doings, "Hinsdale Central linebacker…"

Group III

HM: Craig Watson, The Beacon News, "Something worth shouting about"

3rd: Michael Schmidt, Lake County News-Sun, "Safe at first"

2nd: Marina Samorsky, Lake County News-Sun, "Cats rally"

1st: Craig Watson, The Beacon News, "Dangerous games"

PHOTO SERIES

Group I

3rd: Benjamin Draper, The Elburn Herald, "Steer-ed to rodeo"

2nd: Sarah Rivers, "The Elburn Herald, "A Knight out"

1st: Sarah Rivers and Benjamin Draper, The Elburn Herald, "What's popping at Corn Boil?"

Group II

3rd: Sandy Bressner, Lake County Journals, "Struck twice"

2nd: Annie Christie, Lake County Journals, "The homeless"

1st: Mark Van Osdol and Jay Dickerson, The Galena Gazette, "Living history"

Group III

3rd: Heather Eidson, The Beacon News, "A growing season"

2nd: Craig Watson, The Beacon News, "Undying faith"

1st: Donnell Collins, The Beacon News, "Nicor employees"

SPORTS STORY

Group I

HM: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald, "Knights' second season begins with a bang"

3rd: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent, "State may begin mandating high school steroid testing"

2nd: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald, "Miracle in Maple Park"

1st: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent, "What a long strange recruiting trip it's been"

Group II

HM: Bob White, The Observer, "For NIU's Garrett Wolfe, God is No. 1"

3rd: Polly Rix, The Hinsdalean, "In the game: Officials are fundamental"

2nd: Bill Stone, The Doings, "Then and now - LT graduates go back to school as girls"

1st: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "A star-spangled conundrum"

Group III

HM: Nick Gerts, Daily Chronicle, "McGrane leads NIU to second round"

HM: Bobby Narang, Daily Chronicle, "Bowled over - Established TCU too much for Huskies"

3rd: Kevin Chlum, Daily Chronicle, "Knights pull away from BHS"

2nd: Brad Engel, Naperville Sun, "Practice makes perfect"

1st: Todd M. Adams, The Beacon News, "1 world record/Hood's long crazy ride"

SPORTS COLUMN

Group I

3rd: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald, "Resolutions for 2007? Keep the gifts coming"

2nd: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald, "Da Knights, Da Bears, gridiron brothers"

1st: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent, "The dumb jocks strike back"

Group II

3rd: Pamela Lannom, The Hinsdalean, "Girls can too cover football1"

2nd: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Never too young to learn hard lessons"

1st: Ken Karrson, The Regional News, "Hit the holes, not the books"

Group III

3rd: Chris Sosa, The Naperville Sun, "Autistic athlete's dream keeps on giving"

2nd: Bill Kindt, The Beacon News, "Any way I say it, it's been a great 24 years"

1st: J.T. Pedelty, The Times, "Board sends wrong message"

SPORTS SECTION

Group I

2nd: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald

1st: Bobby La Gesse, The Woodstock Independent

Group II

3rd: Kristin Sharp, Ledger-Sentinel

2nd: Weekly Journals

1st: Lake County Journals

Group III

3rd: Marc Nesseler and Staff, The Rock Island Argus

2nd: The Naperville Sun

1st: Northwest Herald

SPOT NEWS

Group I

2nd: Matt Brennan, The Elburn Herald, "Forgotten phone leads to act of heroism"

1st: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "Gut feeling, cooperation lead to arrest"

Group II

3rd: John Etheredge, Ledger-Sentinel, "Community mourns teens"

2nd: Kathy Farren and Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Yorkville Dam claims three more lives"

1st: Roger Matile, Ledger-Sentinel, "Crisis intervention efforts underway"

Group III

HM: Mike Lyons, The Daily Journal, "Grisly account"

3rd: Brian Krans, The Rock Island Argus, "Kolb sentenced to 48 years"

2nd: Benji Feldheim, Daily Chronicle, "Full of life"

1st: Heather Gillers and Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "We are America"

IN-DEPTH NEWS STORY

Group I

1st: Eric W. Walter, The Elburn Herald, "Parental advisory"

Group II

HM: Amy Alderman, The Galena Gazette, "Assessment shock"

3rd: Jeff Danna, The Doings, "Resident battles `builders gone wild'"

2nd: Matt Schury, Kendall County Record, "Mortgaging their future: Foreclosures skyrocket"

1st: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Missing in action from Council meetings in '06"

Group III

HM: Kevin Craver, Northwest Herald, "Behind closed doors"

3rd: Justina Wang, The Beacon News, "When girls rule the school, do boys fall behind?"

2nd: Sue Ter Maat, Daily Herald, "Sacred ground"

1st: Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "Bad water"


NEWS STORY SERIES

Group I

None

Group II

HM: Ann Piasecki, Kathrynne Skonicki, Paul Storer, Jacqueline Pinn, Catholic Explorer, "The face of aging"

3rd: Matt Pera, Lake County Journals, "You've just got to survive"

2nd: Amanda Hudson, The Observer, "Catholic and Single"

1st: Pamela Lannom, The Hinsdalean, "Downtown parking"

Group III

HM: Kelly Mahoney, "Lake County News-Sun, "They let my mom die"

HM: Benji Feldheim and Chris Rickert, Daily Chronicle, "Wogen mailer story"

3rd: Dawn Neuses, The Rock Island Argus, "For want of a green card"

2nd: Matthew DeFour, The Beacon News, "Road to riches"

1st: Tom Musick, Brandon Coutre, and Kevin Craver, Northwest Herald "Pit Bull attacks: A year later"

RELIGION REPORTING

Group I

HM: Matt Brennan, The Elburn Herald, "Bridging the gap to God"

3rd: Don Peasley, The Woodstock Independent, "First Presbyterian Church prepares for East in new building"

2nd: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "Prestbury home is blessed"

1st: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "More than just clowning around"

Group II

HM: Pamela Lannom, The Hinsdalean, "True meaning of Christmas"

3rd: Sharon Boehlefeld, Amanda Hudson, and Penny Wiegert, The Observer, "Our daily bread"

2nd: Kathy Gresey, Lake County Journals, "A new life"

1st: Amanda Hudson, The Observer, "Of this cup"
Group III

HM: Steve Lord, Rick Nagel, Jeffrey Ward, The Beacon News, "Looking for faith healing"

3rd: Jaclyn Youhana, The Daily Journal, "God knows no boundaries"

2nd: Leon Lagerstam, Rock Island Argus, "Help wanted: Church organists"

1st: Sue Ter Maat, Daily Herald, "Help themselves"

BUSINESS/FINANCIAL/CONSUMER STORY

Group I

3rd: Matt Brennan, The Elburn Herald, "An entrepreneur at 18"

2nd: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "The calm before the sale"

1st: Susan W. Murray and Kat Katkus, The Woodstock Independent, "Woodstock grocers offer different advantages"

Group II

HM: Helen Mansfield, Lake County Journals, "Geese be gone"

3rd: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Attention Kohl's shoppers: Yorkville a no-go?"

2nd: Michael Gilbert, The Regional News, "Developer provides Heights Northpoint tour"

1st: Lisa Welz, Kendall County Record, "Repairing sad soles and heels"

Group III

HM: Heather Gillers, The Beacon News, "American nightmare"

3rd: Dave Garbe, The Beacon News, "Testing their mettle"

2nd: David Garbe and Andre Salles, The Beacon News "Duel over downtown"

1st: Mike Comerford, Daily Herald, "McDonald's in China"

TECHNOLOGY/MEDICAL STORY

Group I

3rd: Susan O'Neill, The Elburn Herald, "Providing comfort to the end"

2nd: Susan W. Murray, The Woodstock Independent, "Woodstock's Kearley stars in Super Bowl Piccolo piece"

1st: Eric W. Walter, The Elburn Herald, "West Nile Virus: 5 years in Illinois and still biting"

Group II

3rd: Maura Vizza, The Reporter, "Lookin' a little green"

2nd: Dennis Hines, "The MidWeek, "Off in the distance"

1st: John Etheredge, Ledger-Sentinel, "Flood called a `galvanizing event'"

Group III

3rd: Tim Wagner, The Beacon News, "Do your heart some good"

2nd: Jim Newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Animal ER"

1st: Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "Bad water"

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC

Group I

2nd: Mike Slodki, The Elburn Herald, "Play of the Knight"

1st: Kat Katkus, The Woodstock Independent, "Grocers"

Group II

3rd: Becky Campbell, The Hinsdalean, "Who are the Ivies?"

2nd: Jim Slonoff, The Hinsdalean, "Tax levies"

1st: Jim Slonoff, The Hinsdalean, "Hinsdale parks"

Group III

3rd: Nancy Bergan and Steve York, The Daily Journal, "Gearing up"

2nd: Jonathan, Strube, The Beacon News, "Road to riches"

1st: Scott Nychay, Northwest Herald, "Front row: A viewer's guide"

EDITORIAL PAGES

Group I

1st: The Woodstock Independent

Group II

3rd: Lake County Journals

2nd: The Hinsdalean

1st: The Doings

Group III

3rd: Lake County News-Sun

2nd: The Times

1st: The Beacon News

WEB SITE

Group I

1st: The Elburn Herald

Group II

3rd: The Reporter

2nd: Mike Rickman, Catholic Explorer

1st: The Galena Gazette

Group III

3rd: The Daily Journal

2nd: The Rock Island Argus

1st: Mary Anne Lopez, The Beacon News

BEST EFFORT TO ATTRACT YOUNG READERS

Group I

None

Group II

2nd: Tracy Pollack, Kathrynne Skonicki and Mary Breslin, Catholic Explorer, "Youth page"

1st: Sharon Boehlefeld, The Observer, "Young Observer (Y.0.)"

Group III

2nd: The Rock Island Argus, "The faces of Prom 2006"

1st: The Beacon News, "Teen columnists"

INNOVATIVE COVERAGE OF A ROUTINE EVENT

Group I

None

Group II

3rd: Pamela Lannom, The Hinsdalean, "Election 2007"

2nd: Pamela Lannom, The Hinsdalean, "The Hinsdale Club"

1st: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Missing in action from Council meetings in '06"

Group III

2nd: Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "He put the stolen shrimp where?"

1st: Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "In the line of duty"


2007 SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS
(for overall excellence in circulation groups I, II, III)

Group I (Don R. Grubb Trophy)

The Elburn Herald (tie)
and
The Woodstock Independent (tie)

Group II (C.V. Amenoff Trophy)

Lake County Journals

Group III (James Copley Trophy)

The Beacon News

2007 W.E. WILLIAMS AWARD
(for best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group II)

Tony Scott, Kendall County Record, "Missing in action from council meetings in '06"

2007 TOM REAY AWARD
(for best single in-depth news story in Circulation Group III)

Matt Hanley, The Beacon News, "Bad water"

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