10-03-2025
Manitowoc HTR wins Best in Division, 13 individual honors in statewide journalism contest
MANITOWOC – For the second time in three years, Manitowoc's daily newspaper, the Herald Times Reporter, was named Best in Division in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation's Better Newspaper Contest.
The award recognizes the newspaper as one of two daily newspapers in the state as Best in Division for 2024, with the HTR winning in Division B for newspapers of daily circulation of less than 9,999 and the Wisconsin State Journal winning in Division A for newspapers of daily circulation of at least 10,000.
Along with the Best in Division award, the newspaper's staff collected 13 individual honors.
The awards were given March 7 during the WNA's awards ceremony in Madison. The HTR competes in Division B, which includes newspapers with daily print circulation of 9,999 or less. The WNA Foundation is a not-for-profit created in 1980 that works to improve Wisconsin's newspaper enterprises.
The 2024 contest received 2,134 entries from 105 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024, and were judged by members of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.
Last year's awards: Manitowoc's newspaper the Herald Times Reporter wins 11 statewide journalism awards, including the top award for community engagement
Here's a look at the honors earned by HTR staff.
First-place awards included the following:
Photographer Gary C. Klein won two firsts — for Best News Photo and Best Feature Photo. For the Best News Photo, the judge wrote: 'The photographer did a good job of bringing us close to the subjects and that helps the viewer feel the emotions the subjects are feeling.' And for the Best Feature Photo winner, the judges said, 'We loved the different kids' facial expressions.'
Page designer John Evans won a first place for Best Front Page.
Reporter Patti Zarling placed first in the Environmental Reporting category for her article about Two Creeks Buried Forest. The judge wrote: 'The reporter took news of fragments from a buried forest and turned it into a history lesson for readers. Great context of what happened in Wisconsin and this region in particular.'
Reporter Alisa Schafer and Editor Brandon Reid won first place for Breaking News Reporting for their ongoing coverage of the search for missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue. The judge wrote: 'This series of pieces followed a story of a missing 3-year-old boy, through to the latest coverage during the Better Newspapers Contest period. First, we should salute the reporter's ongoing coverage of what must have been a challenging and taxing reality as a human tasked with reporting on the events that took place. The reporter presented information clearly to readers while showing context and nuance. This coverage gave basic details at first on the search with info on how people can help look for the missing child. Later, readers get follow-up coverage that includes the picture of residents coming together to search and hold vigils. All of the coverage is presented in an easy to read/organized way, including the 'what we learned' from court documents section. It is also transparent with readers, guiding them and defining why the articles do/don't have certain information like when court documents are sealed, but criminal complaints were available and obtained. Readers are also privy to basic explanations that easily translate what could have been complex court jargon/legalese that most people aren't familiar with.'
Sports Reporter Tom Dombeck took first for Local Sports Column for his column 'Appreciate Howards Grove volleyball's run no matter what happens at state tourney.' 'Personal and emotional — exactly what I want to read in great columns,' the judge wrote.
Columnist Bob Fay won first place in the Local Column category for his contributions to the Preserving the Past history series. 'Highly readable and interesting,' the judge wrote.
Klein took second for Sports Feature Photo for a Nov. 3, 2023, photo of Two Rivers' Derek Klinkner consoling teammate Zach Cortte following their 24-21 loss to Luxemburg-Casco. 'Another great moment, we liked the clean composition and felt like the negative space complimented the quiet moment between the two players well,' the judges wrote.
Third-place honors went to the following:
Klein for Best Feature Photo (he also placed first in the category);
Schafer for Reporting on Local Government;
Zarling for Localized National Story; and
Schafer and Zarling for Local Column for the ongoing Savor Manitowoc series on local restaurants. 'Felt like I was in the restaurant with you,' the judge wrote.
Zarling earned an honorable mention for Environmental Reporting after also placing first in the same category.
2022 awards: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter one of two daily papers in state named Best in Division as it collects 14 individual Wisconsin journalism awards
Dating to its first issue published Oct. 19, 1898, the HTR is one of Manitowoc County's oldest businesses. Today, the newspaper is part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, which also includes daily newsrooms in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is also part of the news group.
Contact Brandon Reid at breid@
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc newspaper Best in Division in Wisconsin journalism awards
