The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers.
Finalists in each category are listed in alphabetical order below.
First, second and third place winners will be announced during the BNC & Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
taking place Friday, April 24 at the Georgian Bay Hotel in Collingwood.
Registration Information will be available soon.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of
Ontario’s community newspapers!
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries and congratulations to the finalists!
General Excellence Awards
GE01 - Class 1: circ. 1,500 & under
Haliburton County Echo
Listowel Banner
The Herald serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell
Honourable Mention: Minden Times
GE02 - Class 2: circ. 1,500 - 8,000
Eganville Leader
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton
GE03 - Class 3: circ. 8,001 & over
Elmira-Woolwich Observer
Fergus Wellington Advertiser
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Honourable Mention: Picton Gazette
GE04 - Class 8: College &University
Fanshawe College - Interrobang
Humber College - Et Cetera
University of Waterloo - Imprint
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
Centennial College - Abby Russchen
Humber College - Anayas Fernanda Medeiros
University of Waterloo - Sarah An
Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Claire Donnan
Honourable Mention: Centennial College - Logan Brown, Ethan Gabor, Bennett Griffith, Faraz Hashmi, Tomas Morgan, Michael Coyle, Anthony Lancione & Anthony Santia
Honourable Mention: Durham College - Izza Adil
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Durham College - Megan Foster
Durham College - Sunmeet Kour
Humber College - Harnoor Kaur
Honourable Mention: Centennial College - Andrew Rock
CU03 - Student Editorial Writing
Algonquin College - Lara Simard
Fanshawe College - Caleigh Reid & Jack Sutton
Humber College - Asher Klaver
CU04 - Student Photography
Algonquin College – Autumn Beeston
Humber College - Anayas Fernanda Medeiros
Humber College – Luis Miguel S. De Castro
CU05 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
Algonquin College - algonquintimes.com
Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
Humber College - humberetc.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Beeton, New Tecumseth Times - Brian Lockhart
Paris Independent - Edward Lander
Wingham Advance Times - Rachel Hammermueller
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
Listowel Banner - Denny Scott, Kelsey Bent & Rachel Hammermueller
Simcoe Advocate - Jeff Tribe
Tillsonburg Post - Jeff Helsdon
PC03 - Best Editorial, 8,000 & over
Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
Listowel Independent Plus - Patrick Raftis
Picton Gazette - Karen Valihora
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 8,000
Ayr News - Irene Schmidt-Adeney
Stratford Times - Connor Luczka
Wingham Advance Times - Denny Scott
PC05 - Best Editorial Cartoon
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
Ottawa Hill Times - Michael de Adder
Paris Independent - Chris Whelan
PC06 - Best Editorial Page/Section
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - David Adsett & Kelly Waterhouse
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Wingham Advance Times - Kelsey Bent, Denny Scott, Pauline Kerr & Nicole Beswitherick
PC07 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Robin George
Haliburton, The Highlander - Mike Baker
Manitoulin Expositor - Jacqueline St. Pierre
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Paige Seburn
PC08 - Environment Ontario
Haliburton, The Highlander - Mike Baker
Kitchissippi Times - Amanda McLeod
Manitoulin Expositor - Jacqueline St. Pierre
PC09 - Feature Writing, circ. 8,000 & over
Sponsored by: ORP Law
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Julian Gavaghan
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Ottawa Hill Times - Tessie Sanci
PC10 - Feature Writing, circ. under 8,000
Sponsored by: ORP Law
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Hazel Atkins
Manitoulin Expositor - Jacqueline St. Pierre
Orono Weekly Times - Julie Cashin-Oster
PC11 - Health & Wellness
Manitoulin Expositor - Jacqueline St. Pierre
Walkerton Herald Times - Pauline Kerr
Wilmot - Tavistock Gazette - Galen Simmons
Honourable Mention: Haliburton, The Highlander - Mike Baker
PC12 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Julian Gavaghan
Haliburton County Echo - Thomas Smith
Kitchissippi Times - Charlie Senack
Honourable Mention: Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
PC13 - Best Investigative News Story
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Paige Seburn
Ottawa Hill Times - Stuart Benson
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
Honourable Mention: Picton Gazette - Karen Valihora
PC14 - Best News Story, circ. 8,000 & over
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Julia Sacco
Ottawa Hill Times - Abbas Rana
Your Community Voice, Stittsville - Nevil Hunt
PC15 - Best News Story, circ. under 8,000
Haliburton County Echo - Emily Stonehouse
Listowel Banner - Rachel Hammermueller
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC16 - Best Rural Story
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Julian Gavaghan
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Robin George
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Jill Troyer
Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Emily Stonehouse
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. 8,000 & over
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Paige Seburn
Picton Gazette - Karen Valihora
The Auroran - Brock Weir
Honourable Mention: Uxbridge Cosmos - Roger Varley
PC18 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 8,000
Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Robert Fisher
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Hazel Atkins
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella & Nick Fearns
PC19 - Sport & Recreation Story
Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Scott Stephenson
Eganville Leader - Barry Conway
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
Honourable Mention: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Julian Gavaghan
Honourable Mention: Your Community Voice, Stittsville - Nevil Hunt
PC20 - Best Headline Writing
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
The Haldimand Press
Uxbridge Cosmos - Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
PC21 - Diversity Coverage
Ottawa Hill Times - Eleanor Wand
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Tara Jeffrey
Your Community Voice, Stittsville - Nevil Hunt
PC22 - Best Police/Court Story
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Robin George
Manitoulin Expositor - Jacqueline St. Pierre
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC23 - Best Police/Court Series
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Kevin MacLean
Ottawa Hill Times - Samantha Wright Allen
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
PC24 - Best Guest/Freelance Column
Ayr News - Jaellayna Palmer
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Wendy Cheropita
Simcoe Advocate - Jeff Tribe
Honourable Mention: Stratford Times - Loreena McKennitt
PC25 - Humour Columnist of the Year
Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Scott Stephenson
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Kelly Waterhouse
Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Ross Robinson
PC26 - Columnist of the Year
Ottawa Hill Times - Rose LeMay
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Garth Turner
PC27 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
Kitchissippi Times - Charlie Senack
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Paige Seburn
Tillsonburg Post - Jeff Helsdon
Honourable Mention: Barry’s Bay, The Valley Gazette - Robert Fisher
PC28 - Best Feature Photo
Haliburton, The Highlander - Justin Belanger
Manitoulin Expositor - Alicia McCutcheon
Picton Gazette - Jason Parks
Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News - Jason Setnyk
Honourable Mention: Your Community Voice, Kanata North - Nevil Hunt
PC29 - Best Photo Layout
Barry’s Bay, The Valley Gazette - Robert Fisher & Derek Layman
Eganville Leader - Alex Lambert
Orangeville Citizen - Peter Richardson, Joel Krahn & Janine Taylor
Honourable Mention: Haliburton, The Highlander - Justin Belanger
PC30 - Best Sports Photo
Barry’s Bay, The Valley Gazette - Robert Fisher
Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
Picton Gazette - Jason Parks
PC31 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Jamie Slingerland
The Herald serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell - Heather Wright
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
Honourable Mention: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin
Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Gerald Tracey
PC32 - Best News Photo
Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
Uxbridge Cosmos - John Cavers
Your Community Voice, Stittsville - Nevil Hunt
Honourable Mention: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin
PC33 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
Kitchissippi Times - Ellen Bond
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar
Stratford Times - Amanda Modaragamage
PC34 - Photographer of the Year
Barry’s Bay, The Valley Gazette - Robert Fisher
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar
Paris Independent - Michelle Malvaso
PC35 - Community Service
Aylmer Express - Old Town Hall public forum
Eganville Leader - Hike for Hospice
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - NOTL women vow 'elbows up'
PC36 - Best Vertical Product
Cornwall Seaway News - Cornwall Living 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - NOTL: A Guide for Distinguished Explorers: Summer 2025
Orangeville Citizen - Our Routes Magazine - Fall 2025
Honourable Mention: Listowel Banner - Country Life - Spring 2025
PC37 - Best Front Page
Elmira-Woolwich Observer
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Ottawa Hill Times
Honourable Mention: Kitchissippi Times
PC38 - Best Sports Section
Haliburton, The Highlander
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
Simcoe Advocate
PC39 – Special Section
Eganville Leader - Irish Edition
Shelburne Free Press - Celebrating 150 Years of the Shelburne Free Press
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo - Farm Edition 2025
PC40 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Estate and Funeral Planning
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - NOTL Remembers those who fought
North Wellington Community News - Fire Prevention Week
PC41 - Best Creative Ad
Kincardine Independent - Becky Grebenjak
Kitchissippi Times - Céline Haché-Paquette
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
Honourable Mention: Simcoe Advocate - Michelle Foster
Honourable Mention: St. Marys Independent - Erin Parsons
Honourable Mention: Stratford Times - Sarah Cairns
PC42 - In House Promotion
Aylmer Express - Larissa Lane
Kitchissippi Times - Tanya Connolly-Holmes
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC43 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Alicia Roza
Picton Gazette - Natalie Piper
Wilmot - Tavistock Gazette - Erin Parsons
PC44 - Original Ad Idea
Kitchissippi Times
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
PC45 - Best Use of Colour
Kitchissippi Times - Céline Haché-Paquette
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
North Wellington Community News - Emily Hughes
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Emily Hughes
Honourable Mention: Tillsonburg Post - Stacie Eden
PC46 - Best Community Newspaper Website
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - observerxtra.com
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - wellingtonadvertiser.com
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - niagaranow.com