Times wins 12 state awards

The Sundance Times was honored with 12 awards from the Wyoming Press Association at this year’s convention. The annual contest pits the skills of newspapers across the state in categories pertaining to writing, photography, design and advertising.

The Times was presented with the Freedom of Information Award for 2020, which is given to the newspaper “that goes out of its way to impress upon its readers the importance of government transparency and press freedoms or seeks to educate them about those freedoms.”

The award recognized the articles and editorials published in the Sundance Times about the situation between Crook County Medical Services District and Health Management Services, during which time we became concerned that much of the discussion was being held behind closed doors.

Judges commended the Sundance Times for raising the question, explaining why it was of concern and supporting and commending CCMSD in making the right decision.

“Good job leading your community to understand how/when to speak up, how to point out a concern without being ugly and how/when to let healing begin,” said a comment from the judges.

The Times received a first place award for best use of photographs.

Sarah Pridgeon received a first place award in the general news category for her article explaining the Sundance City Council’s decision to enter into a contract for law enforcement with the Crook County Sheriff’s Office. She also placed first for outdoors and environmental reporting for a package of stories about the state’s acquisition of land in the Moskee area, chronic wasting disease and forest health.

Pridgeon placed second in the government issue reporting category for an article balancing the pros and cons of voting for a mill levy for Crook County Senior Services. She also placed second in the sports feature category for her story about stock car racer Dillon Johnson and in the arts, entertainment and culture reporting category for a package of articles about Old Stoney, Rally Wednesday and Freeze Your Fanny.

The Times was awarded second place for headline writing, with judges commending our “good photo captions” and calling our headlines “eye catching and original.”

Pridgeon received honorable mentions in the news feature category for an article about the first jury trial to be held in the county since the pandemic hit; and in column writing for her weekly “This Side of the Pond” column.

Stan Horning received an honorable mention for small advertisement design for an ad introducing the fresh produce program launched by Cowgirl Pizza during the pandemic. The Times also received an honorable mention for front page design.