TomMitsoff.com

Welcome to

Honors Continue Posthumously
for The Sunday Challenger

For more information, e-mail me at tmitsoff@hotmail.com.

Despite being closed by its owner in early 2006, The Sunday Challenger continued to be honored for excellence in journalism by the Kentucky Press Association.

In January of 2007, the KPA bestowed 16 awards on the publication which had ceased publishing 11 months prior. For the second time in three years, the Challenger gobbled up honors despite publishing for only six months of the one-year judging period from which the other newspapers had to choose and submit entries.

I no longer live or work in Northern Kentucky, but I do want to add this list to the permanent public record of achievements by the outstanding staff of The Sunday Challenger:

KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION’S 2006 EXCELLENCE IN KENTUCKY NEWSPAPERS CONTEST
Best Editorial
Third place: Michael Jennings
Entry: "Approve the Men's Recovery Center Site," published Oct. 2, 2005
Judges' Comments: "Well argued and written challenge for leaders to overcome biases and approve recovery center."

Best Editorial Page
Third place: Dan Ackley
Entry: Jan. 1, Jan. 22 and Feb. 12, 2006
Judges' Comments: "This page has it all but a local columnist. That would be a huge plus."

Best Graphic
Third place: Dan Ackley
Entry: Cartoon of horse hitting the jackpot (with section front piece on expanded gaming), Feb. 19, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Graphic added a lot to this story."

Best Headline
Second place: Tricia Suit
Entry: "Separation of Church and Sports?" published Jan. 29, 2006

Best Sports Story
Second place: Vicki Prichard and Trina Kinstler
Entry: "Leveling the Field? Or Lowering the Bar?" Story on KHSAA consideration of separating private from public high schools for postseason competition, published Oct. 23, 2005.
Judges' Comments: "Good hard news story on an ongoing controversy."

Enterprise/Analytical
First place: Vicki Prichard
Entry: "Hush No More," published Nov. 6, 2005.
Judges' Comments: "Great opening, draws reader right into the story, good detailed story, good use of sidebars."

Second place: Howard McEwen
Entry: "While Queen City Dawdled, NKY Took Action," story on how CVG airport wound up in Boone County, published Jan. 8, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Another great lead, pulls reader right in. Good detailed history of the airport."

Feature Story
First place: Sarah Eichenberger
Entry: "Doing It His Way," profile of restaurateur Jeff Ruby, published Jan. 8, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "You painted a picture of an unconventional, brass individual and made him appealing. The first few paragraphs drew me in and made me read more."

General News
First Place: Michael Jennings
Entry: "Judge Opens Sentencing of Juveniles," published Jan. 29, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Captivating story. Great descriptions. Good use of quotes. Additional sources given to the story."

Investigative
First place: Jeff Fichner
Entry: "Disputed Election Raises Questions about MainStrasse," published Dec. 4, 2005
Judges' Comments: "Good investigative coverage of a controversial issue. Disagreeing voices were clearly heard."

Third place: Michael Jennings, Vicki Prichard, Trina Kinstler, Jeff Fichner
Entry: package on Title IX in high schools, published Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, 2005
Judges' Comments: "Excellent research and detail. Amount of material was overwhelming and seemed repetitive in spots.”

Ongoing/Extended Coverage
First Place: Jason Feldmann, Vicki Prichard, Lew Moores, Michael Jennings
Entry: "NKY's Top Challenges," published Jan. 15, Jan. 2, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "The leads of these articles were generally short and simple, often using people to draw the reader into the rest of the story. Paragraphs are generally concise and simply written, with smooth transitions."

Second place: Michael Jennings, Vicki Prichard
Entry: stories on impact of school funding (and lack of it), published Oct. 9 and Dec. 18, 2005, and Jan. 29, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Leading paragraphs present conflicts in easy-to-follow manner. Articles clearly written for easy understanding."

Third place: Jason Feldmann, Vicki Prichard, Michael Jennings
Entry: ongoing coverage of efforts to authorize casinos at racetracks, published Nov. 6 and Dec. 18, 2005, and Feb. 19, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Articles on horse racetrack industry are informative. Good wrap-up paragraphs."

Sports Feature
Third place: Jeff Fichner
Entry: "Strong Faith Keeps Alexander Grounded," published Jan. 29, 2006
Judges' Comments: "I guess that unknown running back made a name for himself and the writer does a good job of telling how he did it."

Spot News Coverage
First Place: Jeanne Houck
Entry: "A Tragedy in Newport," stories on triple murder, published Jan. 1, 2006.
Judges' Comments: "Well-done account of triple murder. Could have been more informative about two high school students shot."

Congratulations to you all. I am so proud of all of you, and proud to have worked with such an outstanding and talented staff.

Updated February 24, 2007