The Abbotsford News was honoured recently with 15 industry awards.
The Local Media Association Awards, a contest that receives thousands of entries from members across North America, named The News for seven top-three placings.
The News took home first place for Best Opinion Column (editor Andrew Holota); second-place honours for Best Continuing Coverage (reporter Vikki Hopes), Best Multimedia Coverage (Holota) and Best Special Section (Taking refuge – Holota; designer Sue McMurchy); third-place awards for Best Editorial Page, Best Investigative Reporting (Vikki Hopes) and Best Column Writing (Holota); and an honourable mention for Best Continuing Coverage (reporter Alex Butler).
The Canadian Community Newspaper Awards, which celebrate the best in community publishing from across the country, honoured the The News with two awards.
News editor Andrew Holota received the top national award for Outstanding Columnist.
Hopes also earned a third-place award for Best News Story.
Regionally, The News was honoured with five Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards, hosted by the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspapers Association. The awards acknowledge all aspects of the newspaper industry, including reporting, editing, advertising and more.
The News placed first for the Ad Design Award, Collaborative (Gerrad Zandetti and Anne Williams) and the Ad Design Award (Cristine MacDonald and Don Barbeau).
The News placed second for the Ad Campaign Award (Susan McMurchy and Yvonne Dods).
For the Newspaper Promotion Award, The News took home the third-place prize (Cristine MacDonald, Andrew Franklin and Harvey Toews).
For editorial work, Holota also took second place for the B.C. Columnist Award.