By Carol Stiffler
At the Michigan Press Association conference in Frankenmuth last week, the Newberry News was named 2024 Newspaper of the Year for the Weekly Class D category. It’s the third year in a row that we claimed the victory, which is extra exciting.
Michigan’s newspapers were judged by members of the Wisconsin Press Association for the 2024 awards, and they reviewed our news, editorials, sports coverage, ads, design, and more. The Newberry News was in competition with other paper in the category, including the Oxford Leader, Charlevoix Courier, Clare County Cleaver, Oscoda Press, and more. The Newberry News received award recognition in many categories for work done by team members – like Sterling McGinn – and contributing writers – like Helga Flower.
It takes a team to make a healthy community newspaper, and the News is grateful to have such an excellent team.
Publisher Steve Stiffler accepted the award for the News.
“Winning Newspaper of the Year is an honor that gives us an extra boost of confidence, kind of like getting good grades in school,” Stiffler said. “We know we’re working hard, and that our work is important, so the acknowledgement from our peers is encouraging.”
Stiffler is also pleased that the award went to a U.P. newspaper.
In addition to the Newspaper of the Year award, the Newberry News staff and contributing writers won the following awards in the Class D category:
Spot News Story: Sterling McGinn, 1st place “Who runs the school? Discipline questioned at TAS”
Spot News Story: Carol Stiffler, 3rd place, “Can your DNA help solve this mystery?”
News Enterprise Reporting: Carol Stiffler, 1st place, “What is it like to call 988?”
News Enterprise Reporting: Sterling McGinn, 2nd place, “Can Columbus Township Survive?”
Business/Agriculture News: Carol Stiffler, 2nd place, “Can winter be saved?”
Feature Story: Carol Stiffler, 2nd place, “‘Wheel’ contestant: I just absolutely won”
Best Editorial: Carol Stiffler, 1st place, “Why we don’t give up”
Best Editorial: Bill Diem, 2nd place, “Why there are fewer fishermen now”
Best Editorial: Carol Stiffler, 3rd place, “Is this a Lions nation now?”
Best Columnist: Helga Flower, 1st place, “Helga says: Do you have a dream?”
Best Columnist: Susie Zag, 2nd place, “Walking in their (stolen?) shoes”
Best Newspaper Design: Lauren Burton and Carol Stiffler; 1st place, September 20, 2023 issue
Feature photo: Carol Stiffler, 2nd place, “Night lights”
Sports photo: Scott Duflo, 2nd place, “A very happy homecoming”
Best Sports Column: Dan Hardenbrook, 2nd place, “From the press box: Eagles bag four in a row”
Sports feature: Dan Hardenbrook, 2nd place: “Fundraising update: Clearing hurdles for a new track”
Best Video Presentation: Steve Stiffler, 1st place: “Curtis Library grand re-opening”
Best Digital Presentation: Steve Stiffler, 1st place: mynewberrynews.com
Best General Retail ad: Lauren Burton, 1st place: “Snyder Drug Stores: More than a pharmacy”
“Our work is only valuable if it’s accepted by our audience, and we understand that we couldn’t exist without readers, subscribers, and advertisers,” Stiffler said. “We are grateful for all of you – thank you for supporting the Newberry News.”
