The Clark’s Crossing Gazette earned a total of seven Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association (SWNA) awards in this year’s SWNA Better Newspapers Competition.
The awards were announced on Monday, May 17 in an online ceremony.
The Clark’s Crossing Gazette won third place in the Best Overall Newspaper category for regional weekly newspapers over 6,500 circulation in Saskatchewan.
Gazette photographer Wayne Shiels won first place in the ‘Best People Photo” for his front page photograph (June 18, 2020) of a youngster getting airborne on his scooter at the Warman Skate Park.
Gazette reporter Mackenzie Hientz took second place in the same category for a his front page photo (October 29, 2020) of a child peering out of a Halloween display in Langham.
Shiels earned a third place finish in the ‘Best Sports Photo’ category with his photo (January 11, 2020) of several players grappling for a basketball during a game at Warman High School.
Shiels, a retired teacher, has won a total of 36 SWNA newspaper awards, including 18 first place plaques, with the Gazette over the past 12 years.
“It’s great to be able to take photographs and share them with the community,” said Shiels. “It’s also very rewarding to be recognized by your peers in the newspaper industry.”
Gazette reporter Terry Pugh earned a first place award in the ‘‘Best Arts or Cultural Story’ category (November 26, 2020) for his account of the 100-year anniversary of the historic Parker School, located between Hepburn and Waldheim.
Pugh also won a second-place award for his story (April 23, 2020) on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on dairy farm operations; and a second-place award for his front-page photo (July 9, 2020) of a house fire in Martensville. Pugh has won a total of 45 SWNA awards with the Gazette over the past 11 years, including 13 first place, 19 second place, and 13 third place awards.