MARQUETTE — The Mining Journal has been recognized in the 2017 Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Members of the Missouri Press Association reviewed 2,967 entries submitted by 100 Michigan newspapers and individual members.

The Mining Journal competed in the Daily Class C category for newspapers with a circulation between 5,001 and 11,000.

“The Michigan Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest allows member journalists, photojournalists, columnists, designers — all of us — to show off our best work,” said contest Chairman David Green in a statement. “This year was no exception with nearly 3,000 entries submitted. That’s a lot of excellent work.”

Mining Journal Managing Editor Bud Sargent took first place in the Best Editorial category for his editorial, “Journal retire-rehire series underscores transparency need.”

The judges’ comments were: “Great editorial noting the importance of the Sunshine Law. There were calls to action and this newspaper should be proud of how they informed their readers about this issue. Great job!”

Sports writer Ryan Stieg won the Sports Columnist category for his column about depression, “Time to end the stigma.”

“Great column about a topic that needs to be addressed even if it is not a very popular one,” the judges wrote.

Former Mining Journal staff writer Kelsie Thompson placed second in the News Enterprise Reporting category among Daily C newspapers for her story, “Retire-rehire; Former Marquette County commissioners discuss concerns.”

“I bet this reporting got the attention of taxpayers! No doubt a tough road filled with governmental roadblocks to write/uncover the facts surrounding this investigation,” the judges write.

In the Special Section category, former Mining Journal graphic artist Selena Hautamaki took second and third places as well as an honorable mention. Her runner-up entry was “U.P. Brewmasters,” while her third-place work was Superiorland Magazine. She received the honorable mention for “Christmas Letters and Christmas Memories.”

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.