The Abbotsford News has won five Suburban Newspaper of America (SNA) editorial awards, and is also nominated for a Canadian Community Newspaper honour.
The News took first place in the Best Feature Series category for its Homeless In The City entry. The series looked at the city’s homeless situation, causes and solutions.
Another first place award was handed out for Best Continuing Coverage for the Plan A/Abbotsford Heat controversy. Reporter Kevin Mills wrote a series of articles chronicling the arena’s rising deficit and the fee agreement with the new AHL hockey squad.
The News also took third place in the same category for Burning Questions, an in-depth look at how Metro Vancouver’s plan to use incinerators as a form of waste management would affect the Fraser Valley.
News editor Andrew Holota received two honours from the SNA. He took second place for Best Opinion Column and third place for Best Column Writing.
Reporter Ashley Wray has been nominated for Best Feature Story for her feature that chronicled the life of Chelsey Acorn, a 14-year-old from Abbotsford who was murdered in 2005.
Earlier this month, The News was nominated for seven British Columbia/Yukon Community Newspaper awards, bringing its 2010 total to 13.