The Yukon News picked up four first-place Ma Murray awards from the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspaper Association over the weekend, thanks in large part to our stable of excellent photographers.
Peter Mather won gold for his photo essay on the Peel watershed. “These photos left me speechless,” the judge wrote. “The shooter captured the beauty and wilderness that is the Yukon.”
Nicolas Dory’s photograph of an eagle in flight won gold for best black-and-white feature photo. “Stunning,” the judge declared. “I’ve seen lots of photos of eagles but never one like this. Timing and perspective combined to make an original and unique image. A clear winner at first glance.”
And Lance Goodwin won gold for spot news photography with his portrayal of last summer’s Alaska Highway wash-out. “Excellent mix of news, composition and art,” the judge wrote.
Mike Thomas’s photo of a fox catching a squirrel took silver for best black-and-white feature photo. “The best images tell as complete a story as possible - this one does that. Prey in the grasp of predator completes the circle and makes a standout image beyond most wildlife photographs.”
Thomas also received a bronze award for best website and online innovation.
The News also received one top prize and two runner-up nominations for best writing.
Vivian Belik won gold for her feature series on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. “The narrative flow of this ambitious and exhaustive series is very well constructed,” the judge wrote. “The facts of the matter are woven seamlessly with expert commentary and interviews with FASD sufferers and their families. This is community-service journalism at its best.”
Genesee Keevil took silver for business writing. Her article on Carcross’s economic development plans was called “an excellent example of taking a story to the next level.”
And John Thompson received a bronze award for investigative reporting. His writing on the government’s reluctance to regulate oil-burning furnaces was called “relentless and thorough reporting on an important health and safety issue.”
The Yukon News also garnered six first-place wins at this year’s Canadian Community Newspaper Awards - more than any other publication.