Local Newspapers Recognized at Statewide Convention

LEWISTOWN, MONT. - The Seeley Swan Pathfinder won four awards in the 2017 Better Newspaper Awards Division 1 at the 132nd Annual Convention of the Montana Newspaper Association. Lincoln's Blackfoot Valley Dispatch also came home with six awards.

Nathan Bourne was the award-winning photographer this year for the Pathfinder.

Bourne took first place for his news photo of the Mission Mountains Mercantile fire and his fireworks photo. The judges from the North Dakota Newspaper Association said the photo of the firefighter was a "Very dramatic and thoughtful news photo." They thought the color and framing was done well on the fireworks photo and commented, "Right place and right time."

Bourne also took second place for his sports photo of Autumn Morse pole vaulting. The judges commented, "Love this photo. Kudos to the entrant getting into a position to execute an extremely clean and well-composed entry."

The Seeley Swan Pathfinder's website earned a first place this year in Division 1 in the Best Overall Website category.

The BVD was recognized this year for their writing, layout and photography. Reporter Hope Quay secured third place for best feature story "Lola's Story" and took third place for the Mark Henckel Outdoor Writing Award for her story "Wolves."

BVD Editor Roger Dey earned a second and third place for his layout and design work. He also took third place for his sports photo and enterprise journalism article, "Hospital District appointment process for new board member raises questions regarding open meeting laws."

This year there were 11 newspapers that submitted 534 entries in 35 categories for Division 1, less than 1,250 circulation. For the fourth year in a row, The Big Timber Pioneer took the Division 1 Newspaper General Excellence award and received The Thomas Dimsdale Award for Best Weekly Newspaper.