2020 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 2020 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: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton November January
2nd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times November January
3rd place: Haliburton County Echo November January
Honourable Mention: Parry Sound North Star November January
GE02&03 - Class 2 & 3: Circ. 2,000 - 6,499
1st place: Eganville Leader November January
2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara on the Lake Advance November January
3rd place: Midland/Penetanguishene Mirror November January
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander November January
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local November January
3rd place: Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post November January
Honourable Mention: Ottawa Community Voice, West Carleton November January
GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer November January
2nd place: Ottawa Community Voice, Stittsville & Richmond November January
3rd place: Ancaster News November January
Honourable Mention: Waterdown Flamborough Review November January
GE06 - Class 6: Circ. 22,500 - 44,999
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser November January
2nd place: Whitby This Week November January
3rd place: Niagara this Week, Niagara Falls November January
Honourable Mention: Guelph Mercury Tribune November January
GE07 - Class 7: Circ. 45,000 & over
1st place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser November January
2nd place: Oakville Beaver November January
3rd place: Burlington Post November January
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
1st place: Durham College - The Chronicle Fall 2019 Winter 2020
2nd place: Fanshawe College - Interrobang Fall 2019 Winter 2020
3rd place: Algonquin College - Algonquin Times Fall 2019 Winter 2020
Honourable Mention: University of Waterloo - Imprint Fall 2019 Winter 2020
Honourable Mention: Humber College - Et Cetera Fall 2019 Winter 2020
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
1st place: Loyalist College - Alex Filipe
2nd place: University of Waterloo - Varun Venkataramanan
3rd place: Centennial College - Akrit Michael
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Loyalist College - Olivia Waldriff, Sarah Cooke, Max Reid & Liam Radford
2nd place: Centennial College - Victoria Redden
3rd place: Centennial College - Cheska Lim
Honourable Mention: University of Waterloo - Vaani Rajpal
CU03 - Student Photography
1st place: Loyalist College - Deepak Sharma
2nd place: Algonquin College - Emily Hsueh
3rd place: Humber College - Donna Akbari
Honourable Mention: Centennial College - Kaj Larsen
Honourable Mention: Loyalist College - Caleb Seguin
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
1st place: Loyalist College - qnetnews.ca
2nd place: Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
3rd place: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Listowel Banner
1st place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
2nd place: Listowel Banner - Colin Burrowes
3rd place: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum
Honourable Mention: Orangeville Banner - Chris Halliday
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
1st place: Fort Frances Times - Sam Odrowski
2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Alexandra Heck
3rd place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
PC03 - Best Editorial circ. over 10,000
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Steve Kannon
2nd place: Ancaster News - Kevin Werner
3rd place: Stoney Creek News - Kevin Werner
PC04 - Best Editorial circ. under 9,999
1st place: The Haldimand Press - Kaitlyn Clark
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local - Penny Coles
3rd place: Voice of Pelham - David Burket & Samuel Piccolo
PC05 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt
2nd place: Minden Times - Sue Tiffin
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Troy Shantz
Honourable Mention: Dundas Star News - Craig Campbell
PC06 - Environment Ontario
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
2nd place: Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Terry Myers
PC07 - Feature Writing circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Markham Economist & Sun - Kim Zarzour
2nd place: Vaughan Citizen - Kim Zarzour
3rd place: Oshawa This Week - Jeff Mitchell
PC08 - Feature Writing circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
3rd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance - Jordan Snobelen
PC09 - Health & Wellness
1st place: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Derek Dunn
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt
3rd place: Oakville Beaver - Kathy Yanchus
PC10 – Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt
2nd place: Kemptville, North Grenville Times - David Shanahan
3rd place: Etobicoke Guardian - Megan DeLaire
PC11 - Best Investigative News Story
1st place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
3rd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Doug Crosse
PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Chatham Voice - Jenna Cocullo
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Nick Seebruch
3rd place: Port Perry Star - Chris Hall
Honourable Mention: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
Honourable Mention: Waterloo Chronicle - Bill Jackson
PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Aylmer Express - Veronica Reiner
2nd place: Bradford West Gwillimbury Topic - Lisa Queen
3rd place: Minden Times - Chad Ingram
PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Northumberland News - Sarah Hyatt
2nd place: Waterdown Flamborough Review - Mac Christie
3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Nick Seebruch
PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Mark Jones
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - Ken Kellar
3rd place: Niagara this Week, The Leader - James Culic
Honourable Mention: Walkerton Herald Times - Pauline Kerr
PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Oshawa This Week - Reka Szekely Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
2nd place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson
3rd place: Innisfil Journal - Janis Ramsay & Rick Vanderlinde Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser - Jennifer O'Meara Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket, John Chick & Samuel Piccolo
2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local - Penny Coles
PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story
1st place: Wingham Advance Times - Dan McNee
2nd place: Eganville Leader - Danny Gallagher
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Tara Jeffrey
PC19 - Best Headline Writing
1st place: Chatham Voice - Jenna Cocullo Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Listowel Banner
3rd place: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt
Honourable Mention: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC20 - Best Covid-19 Coverage
1st place: Scarborough Mirror - Mike Adler Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & John Swart
3rd place: Vaughan Citizen - Dina Al-Shibeeb & Kim Zarzour
Honourable Mention: Caledon Enterprise - Karen Martin-Robbins Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC21 - Diversity Coverage
1st place: Etobicoke Guardian - Aaron D'Andrea & Joanna Lavoie Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Mississauga News - Sabrina Gamrot
3rd place: Parry Sound North Star - Stephannie Johnson & Strength Of Two Buffalo Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: The Haldimand Press - Kaitlyn Clark
PC22 - Humour Columnist of the Year
1st place: Niagara this Week, The Leader - James Culic
2nd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Steve Galea
3rd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Kelly Waterhouse
PC23 - Columnist of the Year
1st place: Minden Times - Jim Poling Sr.
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
3rd place: Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers
PC24 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
1st place: Markham Economist & Sun - Kim Zarzour Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Vaughan Citizen - Jeremy Grimaldi Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
3rd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Sheila Wang Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Caledon Enterprise - Karen Martin-Robbins Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Oshawa This Week - Tim Kelly Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC25 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
2nd place: Barrie Advance - Chris Simon
3rd place: Orillia Today - Frank Matys
PC26 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
2nd place: The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell - Heather Wright
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Vance Gutzman
PC27 - Best Photo Layout
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News - Nick Seebruch, Colleen Parette & Kim Poirier-Froats
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Jillian Zynomirski & Charlene Papasodaro
3rd place: Fort Frances Times
Honourable Mention: Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
PC28 - Best Sports Photo
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum
2nd place: Ottawa Community Voice, West Carleton - Erin McCracken
3rd place: Voice of Pelham - Bernie Puchalski
PC29 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Listowel Banner
1st place: Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
2nd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
3rd place: Eganville Leader - Mike Yeas
Honourable Mention: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Tara Gesner
Honourable Mention: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC30 - Best News Photo
1st place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
3rd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - John Cavers
Honourable Mention: Burlington Post - Graham Paine
Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Terry Fleurie
Honourable Mention: Bradford West Gwillimbury Topic - Steve Somerville
PC31 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
1st place: Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Melanie Steeves
3rd place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
PC32 - Photographer of the Year
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum
2nd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Steve Somerville Photo #1 Photo #2 Photo #3 Photo #4
3rd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC33 - Cartoonist of the Year
1st place: Oshawa Express - George Longley
2nd place: Dundalk Herald - Jeff Wilson
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Scott Arnold
Honourable Mention: Hamilton Mountain News - Mike Vukovich
PC34 - Community Service
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Harvest Glory Days Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
2nd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - York Region Santa Fund Article #1 Article #2
3rd place: Eganville Leader - Save Our Legion
PC35 - Best Vertical Product
1st place: Orangeville Banner - Sideroads of Caledon Dufferin & King
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Taste Magazine 2019
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Home in the Highlands
Honourable Mention: Bracebridge Examiner - Muskoka Life
PC36 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser
2nd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer
3rd place: Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press
PC37 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Parry Sound North Star
2nd place: Fort Frances Times
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times
PC38 - Best Sports Section
1st place: Listowel Banner
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo
3rd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton
PC39 - Special Section, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Listowel Independent Plus - Between The Lines
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Welcome to the new Groves
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Sarnia Remembers: A special tribute to our local heroes
PC40 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Eganville Leader - 9th Annual Irish Edition
2nd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Huron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby Association Reunion
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Farms Harvest 2020
Honourable Mention: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2019
PC41 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Victory in Europe Day
2nd place: Walkerton Herald Times - Walkerton Water Crisis - 20 years later
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Rotary Club of Listowel 1946 - 2019
PC42 - Best Creative Ad
1st place: Fort Frances Times - Susan Taylor
2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Skyler Fraser
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
PC43 - In House Promotion
1st place: Barrhaven Independent - Skyler Fraser
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Colleen Parette & Kim Poirier-Froats
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Patrick Merlihan
PC44 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
2nd place: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Patrick Merlihan
PC45 - Original Ad Idea
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards
2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
3rd place: Listowel Banner
PC46 - Best Use of Colour
1st place: Markham Economist & Sun
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Helen Michel
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
Honourable Mention: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
PC47 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - observerxtra.com
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - wellingtonadvertiser.com
3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com
PC48 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Burks Falls Almaguin News - northbaynipissing.com
2nd place: Parry Sound North Star - parrysound.com
3rd place: Kemptville, North Grenville Times - ngtimes.ca
PC49 - ONLINE Special Initiative
1st place: Muskokaregion.com
2nd place: Waterdown Flamborough Review - Catherine O'Hara, Mac Christie & Julia Lovett-Squires
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
PC50 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage
1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Samuel Piccolo
2nd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Louie Rosella, David Lea & Graham Paine
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
3rd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Desmond Devoy & Evelyn Harford
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
Honourable Mention: Caledon Enterprise - Karen Martin-Robbins
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
PC51 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story
1st place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk & Lance Anderson
2nd place: Markham Economist & Sun - Michael Akrit & Jeremy Grimaldi
3rd place: Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press - Louie Rosella, Kathy Yanchus & Graham Paine
PC52 - Breaking News Video
1st place: Kawartha Lakes This Week - Todd Vandonk
2nd place: Muskokaregion.com - Dave Opavsky, Doug Crosse & Sarah Law
3rd place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk
Visit www.ocna.org/BNCBooklet2020 to see the BNC Results book or view the entire virtual presentation by clicking the image below.
