Paper takes home 11 awards this year

The West Linn Tidings was again named one of Oregon’s best newspapers by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association (ONPA), earning a second-place general excellence award at the annual convention held last week in Welches.

In addition to earning the ONPA’s most coveted award, the Tidings took home another 11 awards for writing, design and photography.

The Tidings garnered five first-place, six second-place and one third-place awards.

“I’m very proud of our entire staff,” Publisher J. Brian Monihan said. “They all work very hard to produce a great newspaper for West Linn each and every week. It’s important for them to be recognized by their peers for all their hard work.”

Tidings photographer Vern Uyetake earned first place in the Best Photo Essay, Best Feature Photo and Best Graphics. He also earned second place for Best News Photo and Best Photo Essay and third place for Best Feature Photo.

Assistant Editor Kara Hansen-Murphey earned a first-place award for Best Spot News Coverage. Former Tidings Editor Nicole DeCosta earned a first- and second-place award for Best Lifestyle Coverage. Reporter Claire Oliver earned second place for Best Feature Story: General. Barb Randall and Alvaro Fontan were also honored with second place for Best Overall Website.

Monihan was also recognized for his year of service as president of ONPA. He now assumes the role of president of ONPA’s foundation for 2012-2013.

Nine newspapers from the Pamplin Media Group garnered a combined 90 awards in this year’s competition.