Normally, we rigorously abide by the journalistic standard of reporting the news, not making it, but, on occasion, well bend the rule to recognize the outstanding efforts of the staff members of The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe.
At the Washington Newspaper Publishers Associations annual conference in Kennewick, Oct. 6, The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe received a number of awards in the WNPAs annual Better Newspaper Contest, including being named the top two newspapers in their circulation division.
The Times and The Globe both have long histories of being recognized for their outstanding work and this year was no different as The Times brought home the first-place General Excellence Award (Group I) and The Globe earned the second-place General Excellence Award (Group I). In addition, The Globe was honored with 20 news and advertising awards while The Times garnered three news awards and an advertising award.
While the news and advertising awards are well deserved and give due credit to individual staff members for their hard work, we take the most pride in being named the best non-daily newspapers in the state in our circulation division. To earn these General Excellence Awards takes dedication and commitment to excellence by all staff members, in all departments.
Judges for the General Excellence Award critique the newspapers in five categories news coverage and community events, photos and graphics, design, advertising and opinions. To earn one of the coveted General Excellence awards, newspapers must excel in all areas, which The Times and The Globe have done consistently over the years. In this years General Excellence competition, judges could award up to 100 points in each of the five categories for a maximum total of 500 points. Out of the 500 total points, The Times and The Globe received 485 and 470 respectively. The Times received perfect scores of 100 in the news coverage and community events and design portions of the judging, and near-perfect scores of 95 in the photos and graphics, advertising and opinions portions. The Globe received a perfect 100 in opinions, scores of 95 in photos and graphics and advertising, and scores of 90 in news coverage and community events and design.
Judges comments about The Times news coverage and community events included Great coverage people, school, local government, business, community, sports, history, culture, etc., all there and so well organized. Explaining the perfect score of 100 for design, the judges stated Excellent layout. Someone has an excellent eye for design or a lot of thought and time maybe all three. This paper is an easy, interesting read. The judges comments about The Globe were similar in their praise.
While most of the attention goes to the news reporters, advertising sales staff and graphic designers, everyone on the staffs of The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe contributed to earning these awards. From the front office personnel of Jan Yarnall, Teri Lemke, Debbie Glidden and Diane Lundberg, to Dave Borg and the press crew, to Harold Erickson and the distribution crew, to Leslie Buell and her circulation staff, all played a role in making The Times and The Globe the best newspapers in the state in their circulation group.
In the individual awards competition, the judges also had high praise for the work done by The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe staff members.
In describing Matt Dorans first-place entry in the Best Education Story competition, the judges wrote, Two stories balance a contentious school budget vote with specific line items up for review and comment. This is explanatory, public-service journalism at its local best.
Regarding Kirk Boxleitners first-place Best Environmental Story, the judges said Very nice job of explaining the importance of salmon and the efforts to support their habitat by the Stillaguamish Tribes Natural Resource Department.
The judges also had high praise for Sarah Arneys first-place entry for Best Feature Page or Section stating, Bravo for an arts section that is lively in content and design. I admire the wide variety of story subjects and the good photos. Best of all? Its local. Great to see this level of attention to local arts and artists.
Someone on the copy desk is paying attention to headlines; thats good news. These are clever, but more importantly they convey the sense of the story. Clarity is not sacrificed for cuteness, was the judges comments about The Globes first-place entry in the Best News or Feature Headlines competition.
Local advertisers will be glad to know that the staffs efforts on their behalf brought home a number of advertising awards.
The highest praise for a page like this I wanted to attend this event! And I had several businesses in mind to visit. The page was nicely balanced, caught my attention and kept it. Great job, were the judges comments about the first-place entry in the Group of Ads category by Sue Stevenson, Beth Opel and Connie McKinsey.
Regarding the second-place entry of Manny Rabel and Melody Shockley in the Best Presentation of Classified Ads, the judges stated, Easy to find categories. Info at the top is attractive and informative. Like the classified displays that were boxed. Easily noticed ads sure to please all, but they dont use a tremendous space. Just a nice looking page!
These are just some of the comments by the judges in describing the award-winning efforts by the staff members of The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe. Wed like to congratulate everyone on the staffs of The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe for their outstanding showing in the WNPAs Better Newspaper Contest and thank them for their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence in proving the best newspapers possible to our communities.


To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Kris Passey, Scott Frank or Margi Hartnett e-mail forum@premier1.net.