2019 BNC Winners Announced
The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers and showcase it to readers and advertisers. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for the 2019 BNC Awards and congratulations to the winners in each category.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of Ontario’s community newspapers!
General Excellence Awards
GE01 - Class 1: Circ. 1,999 & under
1st place: Burks Falls Almaguin News February September
2nd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette February September
3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen February September
GE02 - Class 2: Circ. 2,000 - 3,499
1st place: Winchester Press February September
2nd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker February September
3rd place: Vankleek Hill Review February September
GE03 - Class 3: Circ. 3,500 - 6,499
1st place: Eganville Leader February September
2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance February September
3rd place: Gravenhurst Banner February September
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
1st place: Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post February September
2nd place: Collingwood Connection February September
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander February September
GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer February September
2nd place: Northumberland News February September
3rd place: Stouffville Sun-Tribune February September
GE06 - Class 6: Circ. 22,500 - 44,999
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser February September
2nd place: Sudbury Northern Life February September
3rd place: Guelph Mercury Tribune February September
GE07 - Class 7: Circ. 45,000 & over
1st place: Niagara This Week, St. Catharines February September
2nd place: Oakville Beaver February September
3rd place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser February September
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
1st place: Durham College - The Chronicle November March
2nd place: Fanshawe College – Interrobang November March
3rd place: University of Waterloo – Imprint November March
Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Algonquin Times November March
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario General Contractors Association
1st place: Algonquin College - Jessica Alberga
2nd place: Centennial College - Amarra Shakira Mohamed
3rd place: Centennial College - Margaryta Ignatenko
Honourable Mention: Fanshawe College - Angela McInnes & Emma Fairgrieve
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Humber College - Patrick Simpson
2nd place: University of Waterloo - Harleen Kaur Dhillon
3rd place: University of Waterloo - Varun Venkataramanan
CU03 - Student Photography
1st place: Loyalist College - Gagandeep Sarangal
2nd place: Loyalist College - Andrej Ivanov
3rd place: Centennial College - Ryan MacEachern
Honourable Mention: Humber College - Paige McGowan
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
1st place: Algonquin College - algonquintimes.ca
2nd place: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca
3rd place: University of Waterloo - uwimprint.ca
Honourable Mention: Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
Honourable Mention: Humber College - humberetc.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Listowel Banner
1st place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk and Catherine Whitnall
2nd place: Voice of Pelham - Sam Piccolo
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson
Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt
Honourable Mention: Sudbury Northern Life - Heather Green-Oliver
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
1st place: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Derek Dunn
2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls - Paul Forsyth
3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Steve Leblanc
PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Brampton Guardian - Roger Belgrave
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Chris Daponte
Honourable Mention: Orangeville Citizen - Mike Baker
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Eganville Leader - Bruce McIntyre
2nd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
PC05 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Oshawa This Week - Jillian Follert
2nd place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Steve Leblanc
Honourable Mention: Northumberland News - Sarah Hyatt
PC06 - Environment Ontario
1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour
2nd place: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Tara Gesner
3rd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
PC07 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Bradford West Gwillimbury Topic - Kim Zarzour
2nd place: Northumberland News - Sarah Hyatt
3rd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour
PC08 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
2nd place: Minden Times - Sue Tiffin
3rd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
PC09 - Health & Wellness
1st place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk & Catherine Whitnall
2nd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir
3rd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Maryam Mirza
PC10 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
1st place: Oshawa Express - Dave Flaherty
2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance - Beth Audet
3rd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski
Honourable Mention: Orillia Today - Frank Matys
Honourable Mention: Parry Sound North Star - Stephannie Johnson
Honourable Mention: Peterborough This Week - Taylor Clysdale
PC11 - Best Investigative News Story
1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket
2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Chris Halliday
3rd place: Oakville Beaver - David Lea
Honourable Mention: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder
PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
2nd place: Muskokaregion.com - Alison Brownlee
3rd place: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams
PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
3rd place: Walkerton Herald Times
Honourable Mention: Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ.over 10,000
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Orangeville Banner - Alexandra Heck
2nd place: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams
3rd place: Port Perry/Uxbridge, The Standard - Eve-Lynn Swan
Honourable Mention: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Faisal Ali
PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder
2nd place: Eganville Leader - Debbi Christinck
3rd place: Voice of Pelham - Sam Piccolo| Dave Burket
Honourable Mention: Wingham Advance Times - Jordan Snobelen
PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Vaughan Citizen - Jeremy Grimaldi Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Barrie Advance - Janis Ramsay
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Troy Shantz
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
2nd place: Voice of Pelham - John Chick| Dave Burket| Gloria Katch
3rd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story
1st place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson
2nd place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic
3rd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski
Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News - Shawna O'Neill
Honourable Mention: Minden Times - Sue Tiffin
PC19 - Best Headline Writing
1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket
2nd place: Ayr News - Helen Hall
3rd place: Cornwall Seaway New Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC20 - Humour Columnist of the Year
1st place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea
3rd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
PC21 - Columnist of the Year
1st place: Mississauga News - John Stewart Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic
Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers
PC22 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Joseph Quigley
3rd place: Vaughan Citizen - Jeremy Grmaldi Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Ottawa Community Voice, West Carleton - Erin McCracken
PC23 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Peterborough This Week - Lance Anderson
2nd place: Scarborough Mirror - Dan Pearce
3rd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Justin Greaves
Honourable Mention: Toronto York-City Centre Neighbourhood Voice - Justin Greaves (top photo)
PC24 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Sherry Haaima
2nd place: Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
PC25 - Best Photo Layout
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Kelly Waterhouse| Phil Gravelle| Chris Daponte
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
3rd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
Honourable Mention: Etobicoke Guardian - Justin Greaves
Honourable Mention: Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene
PC26 - Best Sports Photo
1st place: Brampton Guardian - Riziero Vertolli (Last photo in slideshow: Sienna for Seniors)
2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Mike Carroccetto
3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin
Honourable Mention: Port Perry Star - Ryan Pfeiffer
PC27 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Listowel Banner
1st place: Alliston Herald - Brad Pritchard (First photo)
2nd place: Renfrew Mercury - Derek Dunn (Third Photo)
3rd place: Haliburton Highlander - Joseph Quigley
PC28 - Best News Photo
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Darlene Wroe
2nd place: Brampton Guardian - (Second photo in slideshow)
3rd place: Mississauga News - Riziero Vertolli (Third photo in story: Riley's aunt sat near the candles...)
Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum
PC29 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
1st place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
3rd place: Oakville Beaver - Nikki Wesley
Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Bruce McIntyre
Honourable Mention: North Grenville Times - Marguerite Boyer
PC30 - Photographer of the Year
1st place: Oshawa This Week - Sabrina Byrnes
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum
3rd place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser - Ryan Pfeiffer
PC31 - Cartoonist of the Year
1st place: Oshawa Express - George Longley
2nd place: Orleans Star - Sarah Chaplin
3rd place: Stoney Creek News - Mike Vukovich
PC32 - Community Service
1st place: The Haldimand Press - All Candidates Debate
2nd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Federal Election 2019
3rd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Fundraiser on the Fairways
PC33 - Best Vertical Product
1st place: Burlington Post - West of the City - 100th edition
2nd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Muskoka Life
3rd place: Caledon Enterprise - Sideroads of Caledon, Dufferin & King
PC34 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Laurentian Publishing
1st place: Sudbury Northern Life
3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion
PC35 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Laurentian Publishing
3rd place: The Haldimand Press
Honourable Mention: Vankleek Hill Review
PC36 - Best Sports Section
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer
2nd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
PC37 - Special Section, circ . over 10,000
1st place: Caledon Enterprise - 130th Anniversary
2nd place: Sarnia Journal - Sarnia Remembers
3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Welcome to Milton
PC38 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Eganville Leader - Irish Edition
2nd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2018
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Farms Harvest 2019
PC39 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
1st place: Fort Frances Times - EMO Walleye Classic
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Saluting our Heroes… lest we forget
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Broadline Rentals
PC40 - Best Creative Ad
1st place: Scarborough Mirror - Katherin Porcheron
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards (Explore Manitoulin)
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues (Emmerson Rent-All)
Honourable Mention: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
PC41 - In House Promotion
1st place: The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell - Julli Archibald
2nd place: Sarnia Journal - George Mathewson
3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News
PC42 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Helen Michel
2nd place: Drayton Community News - Alicia Rosa (Freshmart)
3rd place: Fort Frances Times - Susan Taylor (Luv you Dad)
PC43 - Original Ad Idea
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Janine Taylor
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Jillian Zynomirski (Wash & Window Guy)
PC44 - Best Use of Colour
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jaqueline Furfaro
2nd place: Kincardine Independent - Jessica Beaty
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
Honourable Mention: Manotick Messenger - Ryan Birtch
PC45 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - ObserverXtra.com
2nd place: Sudbury Northern Life - sudbury.com
3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com
Honourable Mention: Hamilton Mountain News - hamiltonnews.com
PC46 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under,9 999
1st place: Vankleek Hill Review - thereview.ca
2nd place: Parry Sound North Star - parrysound.com
3rd place: Burks Falls Almaguin News - northbaynipissing.com
Honourable Mention: North Grenville Times - ngtimes.ca
PC47 - ONLINE Special Initiative
1st place: Barrie Advance Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
2nd place: Cambridge Times Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
3rd place: Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner
PC48 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage
1st place: Sudbury Northern Life Article #1 Article #2
2nd place: Burlington Post Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC49 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story
1st place: Sudbury Northern Life
3rd place: Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press
PC50 - Breaking News Video
1st place: Caledon Enterprise - Robyn Wilkinson
2nd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
3rd place: Peterborough This Week - Taylor Clysdale
Visit www.ocna.org/BNCBooklet2019 to see the BNC Results book or view the entire virtual presentation by clicking the image below.