The Penticton Western News has been named one of the top newspapers in the country in its class.
The Western News placed second for best all-around newspaper (circulation 12,500 to 24,999) in the 2013 Canadian Community Newspapers Awards. The Western News finished behind the Observer of Elmira-Woolwich, Ont.
Penticton also placed third for best front page and best editorial page.
Emanuel Sequeira took second spot in the CCNA awards for multimedia feature for his coverage (both in print and online) of the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan with a photo page, stories and video.
Mark Brett’s photo of young violin player with his instructor wearing a pained expression in the background, captured second place in the top circulation category for best feature photo.
It is Brett’s seventh award since joining the Western News staff six years ago.
The Canadian Community Newspapers Association awards follow on the heels of the Ma Murray Awards from the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspapers Association, where the Western News also picked up a pair of awards
Publisher Mark Walker and co-author Cameron Bower’s entry was selected as one of the top three in the Website and Online Innovation category for their work on the interactiveguides.ca project. The website innovation entries were evaluated on visual storytelling, interactivity, immediacy, use of multimedia, structure and navigation.
Brett was also named as a finalist for his submission in the black-and-white feature photo category (over 25,000 circulation) for Here Comes The Bride from the 2012 bridal fair.
The B.C. winners will be announced at the awards celebration at the River Rock Casino in Richmond April 20.