The Independent has been named one of the top newspapers in the province in its class.
It’s one of eight awards the newspaper is nominated for in the Ontario Better Newspaper Competition fro the Ontario Community Newspaper Association.
The Independent will compete in the general excellence category against its sister paper, The Herald serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell and The Voice of Pelham.
“I’m particularly pleased to be nominated in the general excellence category,” says Publisher Heather Wright. “It takes a dedicated team to put a newspaper each week and our employees are top-notch. This nomination is proof of that.”
The paper has also been nominated for a number of photography awards. Wright has been nominated for Photographer of the Year. She competes against Sabrina Byrnes of The Ajax Pickering News Advertiser and Ryan Pfeiffer of Oshawa This Week.
Wright is also nominated in the Best Spot News Photo, a photograph of emergency responders banding together to help at an Inwood car accident. The Eganville Leader, and The Sachem of Haldimand County have also been nominated.
Freelance photographer Bruce Smith has been nominated the Best Sports Photo category for his photo of LCCVI student Riley Blancher competing in the hurdles. He competes against The Northumberland News and The Orleans Star.
The Independent is also nominated in several news categories, including Best Investigative News Story for its coverage of the former CAO’s conduct. The Voice of Pelham and the Scarborough Mirror are also nominated.
The story of Petrolia council candidate Marty Souch facing criminal charges has been nominated for Best News Story of the year. The Deep River North Renfrew Times and the Manitoulin Expositor are also in the running.
And the newspaper’s graphic’s department is being recognized for excellence in design for an In House Promotion celebrating The Independent’s fifth anniversary. The Fergus Wellington Advertiser and The Oshawa Express have also been nominated.
The winners will be announced during the OCNA convention April 5.