We were pleased over the weekend to announce that The Mining Journal had captured six awards for journalistic excellence in the 2017 Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

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

“I am extraordinarily pleased with how well we did in the contest,” Journal Managing Editor Bud Sargent said. “These contests include some really great newspapers so our very positive showing is a plus.”

Individual awards included:

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

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

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

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.”

We work hard in our newsroom to bring our readers the best in local news, sports and features every day. We’re happy that effort was recognized by an outside entity.