For a fourth year in a row, the California Newspaper Publishers’ Association awarded the Dispatch its coveted General Excellence Award.
Gilroy’s community newspaper competed against other daily publications across the state with a circulation of 10,000 or less. While this was the Dispatch’s last year competing as a daily print publication, receiving the esteemed General Excellence Award, again, is an affirmation for the newspaper and its staff while the transition from primarily a print publication to a hybrid media product that publishes daily on the Internet gains steam, according to veteran Editor Mark Derry.
“A hard-working staff that communicates and enjoys putting out a remarkable community newspaper is really what makes this happen. Their enthusiasm shows in print and now – more and more – on the Web every single day. It’s a privilege to serve Gilroy and a privilege to work with such capable and dedicated people who keep the bar high,” Derry said.
The judges were also most complimentary.
“This is an attractive news product with a strong editorial voice. Good local photographs and a stable of locally-oriented columnists. Any small community would be proud to have this newspaper as its own,” read a collective statement from this year’s nine Blue Ribbon judges, who included editors and writers from such newspapers as the New York Times and the Seattle Times.
Publisher Steve Staloch accepted the General Excellence Award on behalf of the Dispatch in Los Angeles last weekend. Afterward, he said the award proves that “excellence in journalism and quality presentation” are still alive amid difficult times for newspaper across the country.
In addition to the first place in General Excellence, the Dispatch placed first in six other categories and second in two others. Among the other first place awards, News Editor Chris Quirk won for his nine-story series on stalkers in Gilroy, and Sports Editor Josh Koehn placed first for overall sports coverage.
The Dispatch’s sister papers also took home various awards.
The Morgan Hill Times finished first in four categories and took home seven second place prizes for a weekly publication with a circulation of 4,300 or less. The Hollister Free Lane took home two second place prizes.
Of the Times, the judges wrote: “This newspaper’s local stories – including enterprise – are a strength. The teen column is a great idea. Good sports coverage. Editorial page focuses on issues – editorials take a strong position. Lots of letters show that readers care.”
Gilroy Dispatch 2008 Better Newspapers awards
1st Place
– General Excellence – Staff
– Local News Coverage – Chris Quirk
– Sports Coverage – Josh Koehn
– Investigative/Enterprise Reporting – Serdar Tumgoren and Michael Van Cassell
– Breaking News Photo – Lora Schraft
– General News Photo – Chris Riley
– Feature Photo – Lora Schraft
2nd Place
– Photo essay – Lora Schraft
– Environmental/Ag Resource Reporting – Serdar Tumgoren and Chris Bone
