Index-Tribune scores in California newspaper awards

Awards for photography, investigative reporting, education coverage, among others|

The Sonoma Index-Tribune received multiple honors from the California Newspaper Publishers Association this week as part of its annual Betters Newspaper Contest – including first-place awards for photography and writing.

More than 140 newspapers from across California took part in this year's contest, which recognizes journalism excellence in 34 separate categories, judged in daily and weekly divisions across four circulation levels.

At the April 30 awards ceremony at the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, the Index-Tribune earned first-place in the weekly, 4,301 to 11,000 circulation level for best “sports action photo” by Robbi Pengelly and best writing by Jason Walsh (“The Conqueror Worm”).

The I-T took second place awards in best investigative reporting for Christian Kallen's coverage of Sonoma resident Irma Castillo's battle against eviction; best education coverage for Lorna Sheridan's two-part series on a day-in-the-life of a student at Hanna Boys Center; as well as best editorial comment (“You Do Know Jack”) and best columns by Jason Walsh.

Additionally, the I-T was recognized as a top-four finisher in the following categories: arts and entertainment coverage (staff), non-profile feature story (Christian Kallen's “Ringo Starr and the Kids in the Car”) and education coverage (Lorna Sheridan's “Gender Neutrality”).

For a full list of winners, visit betternewspapercontest.com.

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