Peace Arch News returned to the podium last weekend, being named the top newspaper in its circulation category at the BC & Yukon Community Newspapers Association's Ma Murray Awards.
PAN received the Newspaper Excellence Award at a gala held Saturday at Richmond's River Rock Casino, receiving top marks overall against 10 other newspapers, including second-place Abbotsford News and third-place Cowichan Valley Citizen, both also published by PAN's parent company, Black Press.
Judges had this to say about PAN:
"The Peace Arch News continues to show that serving a relatively small but rapidly growing community in an effective way is enormously challenging but still achievable even in difficult economic times.
"The News looks smart, is smart and certainly deserves high marks for energetic and thorough coverage of a very busy community. Well-ordered sections allow for great local features, arts and sports stories to flourish. Great use of colour, especially in display advertising, and some great photography to go with good writing and layout. Consistent in every category!"
Additionally, Surrey Leader photographer Boaz Joseph received the high-circulation Sports Photo Award and second place in the Feature Photo Award (Colour) for two photos that appeared last spring in PAN, covering the Cloverdale Rodeo and the Color Me Rad 5K run at Holland Park, respectively.
