The Okotoks Western Wheel was recognized as the top community newspapers in its circulation.
The Western Wheel was awarded first place overall in Class F (circulation over 12,500) in the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association’s 2018 Better Newspaper Competition during a ceremony Friday in Red Deer.
It’s a credit to the editorial staff and the other departments at the Wheel, said editor Bruce Campbell.
“They make my job easier and I need that,” Campbell said. “Their work is done on time and, while there are always mistakes throughout a year, it is done with accuracy. Most importantly the staff is at schools, games, events and keeping in touch with the community.”
The judge’s statement said the Wheel has “compelling and comprehensive editorial coverage, great photography, excellent op-ed pages (including the only local editorial in the class), excellent feature content, very strong sports pages… The Western Wheel is a paper well-connected to its community and it shows in all the right ways.” Editor's note: The man behind the cartoon pen, is Cayley School principal Phil Irwin.
Assistant editor Remy Greer’s keen-eye for sports had the Wheel winning the Best Sports Page/Section for the seventh-time in eight years. As well the Wheel was second in the Best Editorial Page.
“Where sports can be treated as an afterthought by some publications I always strive to put as much care and attention to the content, photos and page design as any big hard news articles,” Greer said.
There were also individual provincial awards.
Krista Conrad finished second in Best Local News Story for her piece Maurice has all charges dropped.
(Web editions may have different headlines)
https://www.westernwheel.com/article/charges-dropped-against-rural-property-owner-20180622
“The Edouard Maurice story was captivating from the start,” Conrad said. “At the onset of a movement to raise awareness of increased rural crime in Alberta, the case drew attention from across the province, and eventually the nation, as people waited with bated breath to see whether Maurice would be found guilty after using a firearm to defend his property.
“There were never fewer than 100 people outside the court house as we covered the case being held over until all charges were withdrawn on the sixth appearance, June 22, 2018.”
Campbell and Greer teamed up for the Wheel’s series on David Proctor’s attempt to run across Canada in a record 66 days to raise money for the Rare Disease Foundation. The run was a tribute to his son Sam, who has RECA, a disease that affects his balance.
“I had an advantage — I covered Dave when he was in high school,” Campbell said. “The family was very supportive and gave me good access during the event.”
In one of the final pieces Greer was able to capture the compassion and support for Proctor after he was forced to come home midway through the trek due to a back injury.
https://www.westernwheel.com/article/hometown-welcome-for-ultramarathoner-20180905
Tammy Rollie took home third for Best Habitat Conservation story for her piece Rancher makes commitment to nature. The article tells how Turner Valley rancher Stan Carscallen entered an agreement with the NCC to protect 2,000 of his 4,000 acres - a promise he made to the late Daryl “Doc” Seaman of the OH Ranch.
https://www.westernwheel.com/article/rancher-makes-commitment-to-nature-20181012
“I love telling stories about the great things Foothills residents do to better the environment, especially because we live in what I consider to be the most beautiful place in Canada,” said Rollie.
In addition to stories, photos also draw valued readers to the page.
Photojournalist Brent Calver added to his mantelpiece with two awards, his photo A Memorial Walk was second in Human Interest Photo. Calver also finished third in the Spot News category with his photo of EMT, firefighters and RCMP working together to save a life in the award-winning shot Highway Collision Rescue.
