The Gilroy Dispatch was recognized in the 2022 California Journalism Awards, which were unveiled recently by the California News Publishers Association.
The newspaper earned first place for Editorial Comment for its June 23, 2022 column, “The March Toward Darkness.” The editorial outlined concerns over city officials’ proposal to eliminate bid noticing for public projects in the newspaper. However, the city later took a step back in its plans and kept the newspaper noticing requirement in the charter amendment, which passed by the voters in November.
“This is really well done, inspirational,” a judge wrote in the competition notes. “Public access is so critical and this piece explains why in strong, plain English. Kudos.”
The Dispatch’s series of articles on an independent investigation into City Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz’s involvement in a 2021 Halloween party that turned deadly, and the recall effort that followed, earned the newspaper third place for Coverage of Local Government in its division.
Sister newspapers of the Dispatch also received high marks.
The Pajaronian in Watsonville earned first place for General Excellence among small weekly newspapers, which is the top award in the competition, as well as first for breaking news and front page layout, and third for photojournalism. Good Times in Santa Cruz also received first in General Excellence in its division for the fourth year in a row.
