NEWBERRY — Newberry Observer reporter Cindy Pitts won a third place award for news reporting in an annual editorial contest held by the Observer’s parent company.
The story was published March 16, 2011, and centered around Daniel Leon Hare, a Democratic petition candidate in the 2008 Newberry County Council election who was found guilty of election fraud.
The Best of Heartland editorial contest included all of the newspapers owned by Heartland Publications, now Civitas Media LLC. The contest included four categories for daily publications and weekly publications as well as categories for Best Overall and Best Use of Website.
The Newberry Observer was one of two newspapers recognized for its website.
John Clark, publisher of several Civitas Media newspapers and part of the editorial committee, wrote: “Newberry and Lumberton are the best at their use of the web. Both consistently update their sites with a good volume of content. Newberry really shined in the breaking news category. They have more stories labeled as breaking news and have sent out more breaking news emails than the next two or three papers combined. They have also done some local video over the past year.”
The following publications and editorial staff were recognized for the following stories or photography:
Best of Heartland Results
Weeklies
• News Reporting
First: Miracle on the Hudson, The Carroll News, written by Thomas Lester, editor
Second: Council: Spend more, see more results, Garner News, Kelly Griffith
Third: Man found guilty, The Newberry Observer, Cindy Pitts
• Feature Profile Writing
First: Sherry Matthews, The Samson Independent, “A rabbit’s tale”
Second: Sheldon Compton, Floyd County Times, “Putting Faith to Work”
Third: Curt Vincent, Bladen Journal, “Blind to the Cane”
• Sports Reporting
First: Shawn Daley, Apex Herald
Second: W. Curt Vincent, Bladen Journal
Third: Kelly Griffith, Garner News
• Photography
First: “Scotty Invasion” by Sean White and Kelly Griffith,The Garner News
Second: “I Had to do Something” by Jill Cincotta, The Herald Independent
Third: “Fire in the Sky” by W. Curt Vincent, Bladen Journal
Dailies
• News Reporting
First: Ali Rockett, The Robesonian, “Storms leave pieces that need picking up”
Second: Sherri Brown, LaGrange Daily News, “Couple survive wild ride”
Third: Ryan Scott Otney, Portsmouth Daily Times, “Bugs found in school lunches”
• Feature Profile Writing
First: LaGrange Daily News — Cancer patients find refuge in art
Second: The Robesonian — Stepping up
Third: Sampson Independent — Sowing seeds
• Sports Reporting
First: Logan Banner — Epperly takes Lady Billies to new level
Second: Robesonian — Chavis departs in style
Third: Richmond County Daily Journal — Softball players pretty in pink
• Photography
First: Robyn Miles, Lagrange Daily News
Second: Doug Clark, Sampson Independent
Third: Joe Pettit, Union Daily Times
Best Use of Website
Newberry and Lumberton are the best at their use of the web. Both consistently update their sites with a good volume of content. Newberry really shined in the breaking news category. They have more stories labeled as breaking news and have sent out more breaking news emails than the next two or three papers combined. They have also done some local video over the past year though not much lately. Both the Robesonian and Newberry have a weekly poll that they regularly update.
Best Overall
Best Daily: The Robesonian
Best Weekly: Floyd County Times
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