The Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) held its 2024 Better Newspaper Competition awards banquet in Niagara Falls April 11, with The Highlander recognized in seven categories – including two first place finishes.
The only locally owned newspaper in Haliburton County scored top honours for Best News Story and Best Headline Writing, placed second in Feature Writing and Environment Ontario, and third for General Excellence and Best Feature/News Series.
The paper also received an honourable mention for Best Front Page.
There were significant changes to the awards structure this year, with publications split into three categories rather than four. This year, awards were separated for those with circulations 1,500 and under, between 1,501 and 8,000, and 8,001 and up. Previously, classes were set at 1,999 and under, 2,000 to 6,499, 6,500 to 12,499, and 12,500 and up.
This change saw The Highlander competing on the upper end of the scale for the first time, alongside major outlets from across the province. Publisher Heather Kennedy said it was nice to see the local newspaper stand up against other, more circulated publications.
Editor Lisa Gervais was credited for her “great work” covering the story of Haliburton Highlands OPP detonating explosives found at a cottage in Algonquin Highlands, earning first for Best News Story. The paper also won the Best Headline Writing award for ‘Getting the scoop on Kawartha Dairy.’
Assistant editor Mike Baker took second in Environment Ontario for a feature story breaking down the first year of shoreline preservation and site alteration bylaws in Haliburton County.
Gervais’ first-person account of the final bus service TOK Coachlines ran from Haliburton to Toronto scooped second in Feature Writing, with the judge saying it “made for an enjoyable read.”
She was also awarded third in Best Feature/News Series for a five-page spread featuring three news stories and an editorial on deer feeding in Dysart.
After three straight first-place finishes for general excellence from 2021 to 2023, The Highlander settled for third in this year’s awards.
“Well done Highlander team for a great newspaper” the judges wrote.
