Winners of the 2017 Associated Press Great Plains News and Photo Contest are being announced.
A list of winners can be found at http://discover.ap.org/contests/great-plains. This year’s awards will be shipped to members beginning May 28.
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,400 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States.
This year’s competition which covers Nebraska and the Dakotas, saw 11 newspapers submitting 355 entries to the contest that recognizes exemplary work during 2017.
Winners in the 2017 Associated Press Great Plains News and Photo Contest:
Winners list in Div. III:
Spot News: 1, Erin Duffy, Omaha World-Herald, “As Flooding Devastates Houston, Nebraska National Guard Helps Stranded Citizens Reach Safety”; 2, Alia Conley and Emily Nitcher, Omaha World-Herald, “Just a Shocking Scene: At Pottawattamie Jail, Sheriff Saw Two Deputies Bleeding on Floor”; 3, Riley Johnson and Tess Williams, Lincoln Journal Star, “Two Injured as Explosion Levels Home, Rocks Neighborhood in Southeast Lincoln.”
Feature: 1, Matthew Hansen, Omaha World-Herald, “Who was Two Gun Hart?”; 2, Dirk Chatelain, Omaha World-Herald, “Missing Ameliya: After a Brief Time as Parents, Burke High Seniors Learn Hard Lessons About Grief, Strength and Growing Up”; 3, Zach Pluhacek, Lincoln Journal Star, “The Death of Vinny Brewer: A Meth-Fueled Murder on Pine Ridge Reservation.”
Enterprise: 1, Henry J. Cordes, Omaha World-Herald, “The Mystery of Leslie Arnold”; 2, Seth Tupper, Rapid City Journal, “Secret Missile Accident”; 3, Seth Tupper, Rapid City Journal, “Laser Man.”
Spot Sports: 1, Sam McKewon, Omaha World-Herald, “How Bill Moos, Tom Osborne and Matt Davison Drew Scott Frost to Lincoln”; 2, Parker Gabriel and Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star, “Industry Veteran and ’Fierce Competitor’ Moos Tabbed to Run Husker Athletics”; 3, Chris Heady, Omaha World-Herald, “Scott Frost’s Final Day at UCF Filled with Conflicting Emotions, Difficult Goodbyes.”
Sports Feature: 1, Chris Heady, Omaha World-Herald, “Stanley Morgan’s Motivation Goes Beyond Record Game; NU Wide Receiver ’Owes Everything’ to Mother”; 2, Evan Bland, Omaha World-Herald, “From Cattle Ranches to Athletic Departments, New Nebraska A.D. Bill Moos is Always Building”; 3, Dirk Chatelain, Omaha World-Herald, “Restoring Faith: How an Omaha Softball Prodigy Lost Her Talent and Found Her Way.”
Sports Column: 1, Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald, “Nebraska’s Boss Spoke Loud and Clear Saturday Night After Spiritless Performance by Mike Riley’s Huskers”; 2, Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star.
Personal Column: 1, Dirk Chatelain, Omaha World-Herald, “Sandlot Sanctuary”; 2, Matthew Hansen, Omaha World-Herald, “As Confederate Flag Flies, There’s No End to Divisions”; 3, Cindy Lange-Kubick, Lincoln Journal Star.
General News: 1, Todd Cooper, Omaha World-Herald, “A Tortured Case”; 2, Martha Stoddard, Omaha World-Herald, “A Family Affliction”; 3, Paul Hammel, Omaha World-Herald, “Tragic Life, Violent End in Fateful Prison Cell.”
Editorial: 1, John Schreier, Lincoln Journal Star, “Nice to See ’Nebraska Nice’ Retired”; 2, Pat Butler, Rapid City Journal, “Rep. DiSanto”; 3, Pat Butler, Rapid City Journal, “No Need for Guns.”
Headlines: 1, Pam Thomas, Omaha World-Herald; 2, Jimmy Nesbitt, Rapid City Journal; 3, Rich Mills, Omaha World-Herald.
Spot News Photo: 1, Chris Machian, Omaha World-Herald, “Flood Rescue”; 2, Chris Machian, Omaha World-Herald, “Historical Loss”; 3, Amber Baesler, Lincoln Journal Star, “Deadly Haze.”
Feature Photo: 1, James Wooldridge, Lincoln Journal Star, “Winning Duck”; 2, Ryan Soderlin, Omaha World-Herald, “Star Party”; 3, Matt Dixon, Omaha World-Herald, “Mud Slide.”
Sports Action Photo: 1, Francis Gardler, Lincoln Journal Star, “YES!!!”; 2, Francis Gardler, Lincoln Journal Star, “Perfect Landing”; 3, Ryan Soderlin, Omaha World-Herald, “Score.”
General News Photo: 1, Ted Kirk, Lincoln Journal Star, “Look! Up in the Sky”; 2, Sarah Hoffman, Omaha World-Herald, “Coming Home.”
Website: 1, Omaha World-Herald; 2, Omaha World-Herald.
General Excellence Award: Omaha World-Herald.
Winners list in Div. II:
Spot News: 1, Tammy Bain, The North Platte Telegraph, “Eight Homes Lost in Blaze”; 2, Evan Hendershot, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Mitchell City Council Coverage”; 3, Caitlynn Peetz, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Trapped in a Trench, Man Rescued in Emery.”
Feature: 1, Sara Bertsch, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Running for Their Lives”; 2, Caitlynn Peetz, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Assault Victim Adjusting to Life Following April Attack”; 3, Steve Frederick, Scottsbluff Star-Herald, “Flight of Freedom.”
Enterprise: 1, Caitlynn Peetz, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “One of the Guys”; 2, Brad Staman, Scottsbluff Star-Herald, “Living Donors”; 3, Tammy Bain, The North Platte Telegraph, “Two Armies of Angels Battle Over Name.”
Spot Sports: 1, Derek Noehren, The North Platte Telegraph, “Comeback Kids”; 2, Eric Mayer, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Sioux Falls Tabbed to Host NAIA Men’s Basketball Tournament”; 3, Andrew Bottrell, The North Platte Telegraph, “Finally.”
Sports Feature: 1, Ryan Deal, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Diamond in the Rough”; 2, Randy Dockendorf, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Grindle Living Big League Dream”; 3, Jeremy Hoeck, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Raab Back on Field After Hunting Accident.”
Sports Column: 1, Rob Nielsen, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Taking a Knee and Taking a Stand”; 2, Luke Hagen, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Wagner’s Wrestling Success Outshines Town’s Crime”; 3, The North Platte Telegraph, “Hershey’s Seniors Take Lumps, Come Out on Top.”
Personal Column: 1, Kamie Stephen, The North Platte Telegraph, “When the Cold Hits Your Soul”; 2, Luke Hagen, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Parenting Perspectives: Talking About Miscarriages”; 3, Tammy Bain, The North Platte Telegraph, “Sharing Dark Truths, Together.”
General News: 1, Kamie Stephen, The North Platte Telegraph, “Family of Wreck Victims Suing for Wrongful Deaths”; 2, Rob Nielsen, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Short on Gas”; 3, Luke Hagen, The Daily Republic, “Terminated for Whistleblowing?.”
Editorial: 1, Greg Awtry, Scottsbluff Star-Herald, “33 Nebraska Senators Get an F”; 2, Todd von Kampen, The North Platte Telegraph, “A Decision We Can’t Afford to Get Wrong”; 3, Kelly Hertz, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Yankton Has a ’Fireball’ Flameout.”
Headlines: 1, Kelly Hertz, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan; 2, Mikayla Wiseman, The North Platte Telegraph; 3, Angie Putnam, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic.
Spot News Photo: 1, Jeremy Hoeck, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Cause of Monday Fire Under Investigation”; 2, Kelly Hertz, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Utica Home Gutted by Morning Fire”; 3, Kelly Hertz, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Volin Fire Displaces Three.”
Feature Photo: 1, Job Vigil, The North Platte Telegraph, “A Helping Hand”; 2, Matt Gade, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Perfection”; 3, Matt Gade, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Swimming Feature.”
Sports Action Photo: 1, Derek Noehren, The North Platte Telegraph, “Win in Memoriam”; 2, Matt Gade, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “He’s Safe”; 3, Derek Noehren, The North Platte Telegraph, “Title Within Reach.”
General News Photo: 1, Matt Gade, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Veterans Wall”; 2, Matt Gade, The (Mitchell) Daily Republic, “Return of the 153rd”; 3, Kelly Hertz, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, “Two States Battle a Common Foe.”
Website: 1, Gary Wood and Beth Rye, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan; 2, Maunette Loeks, Scottsbluff Star-Herald; 3, The North Platte Telegraph.
General Excellence Award: The (Mitchell) Daily Republic.
Winners list in Div. I:
Spot News: 1, Tammy McKeighan, Fremont Tribune, “Blaze Claims House at Lake Timberwood”; 2, Kaija Swisher, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Car Crashes into Century 21 Building Saturday in Spearfish”; 3, Steve Moseley, York News-Times, “One Killed in Friday Accident.”
Feature: 1, Kaija Swisher, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Artist with an American Heart”; 2, Lacey Peterson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Selected by The Smithsonian”; 3, Sam Pimper, Fremont Tribune, “Arlington Teen Adjusting Her Stroke.”
Enterprise: 1, Jaci Conrad Pearson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Opioid Crisis”; 2, Kaija Swisher, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Project Stand Up: One More Tool to Combat Illegal Drug Activity in SD.”
Spot Sports: 1, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “Lady Knights Punch Ticket to State”; 2, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “Former MU Coach, AD Dies.”
Sports Feature: 1, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “Fremont Native Conrad Embraces any Challenge”; 2, Mark Watson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “25 Routes for 25 Years”; 3, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “Gdowski Back for Mavs.”
Sports Column: 1, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “Family Approach Boosts Knights”; 2, Brent Wasenius, Fremont Tribune, “NU Fans Hoping for Best on Frost”; 3, Dennis Knuckles, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Thoughts from the Sports Desk.”
Personal Column: 1, Melanie Wilkinson, York News-Times, “My Life Through Their Eyes”; 2, Tammy McKeighan, Fremont Tribune, “Child’s Donation Produced Dividend”; 3, Kaija Swisher, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Importing Cats to Deadwood.”
General News: 1, Dave Askins, Pierre Capital Journal, “Buffy: A Buffalo Now Herd on High for Christmas at the Capitol”; 2, Sam Pimper, Fremont Tribune, “Recognizing a Modern-Day Atrocity”; 3, Mark Watson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “With Pipelines OKed, Ilgunas Recalls ’Trespassing Across America’.”
Editorial: 1, Nick Lowrey, Pierre Capital Journal, “Fort Pierre Taxpayers Wronged in Secret Settlement”; 2, Nick Lowrey, Pierre Capital Journal, “Slow Your Roll There Mr. Harding”; 3, Carrie Colburn, York News-Times, “Campaign Promise Already Disappearing.”
Headlines: 1, Melanie Wilkinson, York News-Times, “Fight Ensues.All-Out Brawl”; 2, Steve Moseley, York News-Times, “Devil Wind Rips Region”; 3, Melanie Wilkinson, York News-Times, “Not as Sneaky.”
Spot News Photo: 1, Tammy McKeighan, Fremont Tribune, “Blaze Claims House at Lake Timberwood”; 2, Mark Watson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Five Children Perish in House Fire”; 3, Colin Larson, Fremont Tribune, “Fremont Bank Robbed, Suspects in Custody.”
Feature Photo: 1, Dave Askins, Pierre Capital Journal, “Blunt Fest 2017 Brings Folks Together from Near and Far”; 2, Steve Moseley, York News-Times, “HUGE”; 3, Mark Watson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “25 Routes for 25 Years.”
Sports Action Photo: 1, Ken Kush, York News-Times, “A Bit of Home Cooking”; 2, Mark Watson, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “25 Routes for 25 Years.”
General News Photo: 1, Kaija Swisher, The (Spearfish) Black Hills Pioneer, “Witnessing the Power of the Herd”; 2, Steve Moseley, York News-Times, “Construction Careers”; 3, Steve Moseley, York News-Times, “Get a Boost.”
Website: No Winner.
General Excellence Award: Fremont Tribune.
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