The South Dakota Newspaper Association (SDNA) announced the results of its annual Better Newspapers Contest on Thursday, May 14. Two Garretson Gazette writers, Carrie Moritz and Dave Baumeister, received recognition for excellent coverage in the Weeklies Under 900 division.
Normally, the results of the contest are released during SDNA’s yearly convention, a time of continuing education and networking for the newspaper publishers, owners, and staff of South Dakota newspapers. This year the convention was canceled due to the pandemic. However, that did not stop the contest, which was judged by colleagues in North Dakota.
Moritz received a second-place win for Best Local Government story on her coverage of the city council’s decision to terminate the contract with Haarsma Construction. In the comments, the judges wrote, “Interesting subject, covered well.”
Baumeister received a second-place win for his coverage of Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson and the controversy surrounding failures to report accurate numbers and do proper accounting to the county commissioners. Nelson was brought before the commissioners several times in the past year, and Baumeister’s coverage of the controversy garnered him the 2nd place Best News Series commendation.
"Though we’re a small operation here at the Gazette, we’re proud of the work we do, and we’re happy and proud to be recognized for it by our peers," said Editor Garrick Moritz. "We’re also extremely proud, happy for, and maybe just a little jealous of our neighbors to the South in Brandon, as Jill Meier and the Brandon Valley Journal cleaned up like Tom Hanks at the Oscars this year, winning a total of 17 SDNA awards in this year’s contest! Congratulations!"
