Trending
CHARLESTON -- The news and advertising staffs of The Weirton Daily Times were recognized with 28 awards in its division during this year's West Virginia Press Association Convention, held over the weekend at the Four Points by Sheraton in Charleston.
Among the prizes announced at the convention was a second-place finish in General Excellence for the WVPA's editorial contest, and a third-place General Excellence award in advertising.
Twenty of the awards were presented to the publication's news staff, including 10 first place prizes.
"We thank the West Virginia Press Association and our peers in the business for continuing to recognize the efforts of The Weirton Daily Times," said Managing editor Craig Howell. "I'm proud of the work our staff has done, and continues to do, to provide coverage of the events in our communities."
Former Community editor Janice Kiaski was awarded with four individual prizes, including first place in Best Lifestyles Feature for "'I do' at 87 and 86," second place in Best News Feature for "Going back in 'time capsule,'" second place in Best Lifestyle Columnist, and third place in Best Lifestyles Feature for "Part of a Clemente Hall of Fame celebration."
Kiaski also received a first-place award, along with staff writer Warren Scott in the Best News Feature category for their article entitled "Behind those furry outfits ... are high school mascots on a 'cheerful' mission."
The article showcased the experiences of several students working behind the faces of local high school mascots.
Staff writer Linda Harris received three individual awards, including first place in Best Legal Affairs Reporting for "Teen to face sentencing in Weirton homicides," third place in Feature Photography for "Egg-citing fun," featuring a snapshot from the 2022 Weirton Easter egg hunt, and third place for Best Governmental Affairs Reporting for "EGCC puts program on hold."
Sports editor Andrew Grimm was recognized with five individual awards, bringing home first place in Best Sports Columnist, Sports Photography and Best Sports Event Reporting, as well as second place and third place in the category of for Best Sports News and Feature Reporting.
City editor Michael D. McElwain also was recognized for his skill behind the camera, with a third-place award in Sports Photography.
Howell received a first-place recognition in the category of Best News Columnist.
The remaining recognitions were presented as staff prizes.
Those include first place in Best Special Section for "Progress 2022: The Faces of Progress," first place in Best Newspaper Design, first place in Best Sports Special Section for "Prep Football 2022," third place for Best Single Issue, and third place in Best Sports Pages.
Six awards were received by the newspaper's advertising staff.
"We feel very honored and excited about the awards our advertising department was able to receive," said Pam Bennett, advertising director for the newspaper. "The sales reps take a lot of pride in the work they do and care about the advertisers they work for."
Those awards include staff awards of first place in Best Special Section Sports for "Prep Football 2022," and Best Single Black and White Ad - Quarter Page or Less for "Register to Vote," as well as second place in Best Theme Pages for "Expert Q&A," third place for Best Special Section for "Fairs & Festivals" and third place for Best Color Ad - Quarter Page or Less for "The Wyngate Veteran's Day."
A third-place award also was received in the Best Agency Advertisement category for the West Virginia Northern Community College Design Team.
The Weirton Daily Times competes as part of Division II with the WVPA's Better Newspaper Contest, which is comprised of daily publications with circulations of under 9,000. This year's contest was judged by representatives of the Nebraska Press Association.