OPA Awards Program 2020-21

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

AWARD WINNERS PRESENTED AT THE OPA CONVENTION • JUNE 12, 2021

Honoring ‘Our Greatest Journalists’ since 1971

Thanks for what you do!

The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame greatly appreciates your outstanding journalism and leadership. Please continue to fight for transparency, open records, open meetings and the First Amendment.

The deadline for nominations for the 2022 class will be Oct. 31. To submit a nomination, go to our redesigned website at okjournalismhalloffame.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS MILT PHILLIPS AWARD, Presented to Jeff Funk...................................................................... Page 2 ONF BEACHY MUSSELMAN AWARD, Presented to Mark Codner.......................................... Page 2 HALF CENTURY CLUB Inductees............................................................................................. Page 4 QUARTER CENTURY CLUB Inductees................................................................................. Page 4-5 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST WINNERS

Sequoyah Award Winners................................................................................ Page 7

Division 1, Dailies, Circulation more than 4,700.............................................. Page 8

Division 2, Dailies, Circulation 3,000 – 4,700................................................ Page 10

Division 3, Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000.............................................. Page 12

Semi- and Tri-Weeklies.................................................................................. Page 16

Division 4, Weeklies, Circulation more than 1,700........................................ Page 18

Division 5, Weeklies, Circulation 1,176 – 1,700............................................ Page 22

Division 6, Weeklies, Circulation 900 – 1,175............................................... Page 24

Division 7, Weeklies, Circulation less than 900............................................. Page 26

College Newspapers...................................................................................... Page 28

ADDITIONAL AWARDS..................................................................................................... Pages 30-31 PERFECTA AWARD WINNERS............................................................................................... Page 32

2020-21 OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT MIKE STRAIN, TULSA WORLD

MARK MILLSAP, THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT ZONELLE RAINBOLT, WESNER PUBLICATIONS

VICE PRESIDENT JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY, THE PURCELL REGISTER

SHAUNA BELYEU, THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

TREASURER JEFF MAYO, SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES

SHEILA GAY, WOODWARD NEWS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT MARK THOMAS, OPA

DON MECOY, THE OKLAHOMAN SUZIE CAMPBELL, COUNTYWIDE & SUN

PAST PRESIDENT RAY DYER, EL RENO TRIBUNE

2020 OPA AWARD WINNERS

1

OPA MILT PHILLIPS AWARD WINNER

JEFF FUNK Former Publisher, Enid News & Eagle

Jeff Funk, former publisher of the Enid News & Eagle, was named the Oklahoma Press Association’s Milt Phillips Award winner for 2021.

Funk joined the News &

Eagle in 2001 as executive editor. He was then promoted to general manager and publisher.

Prior to coming to Enid, he served in news management positions at five other daily newspapers: the Hutchinson News and Parsons Sun in Kansas, and in Nebraska at the Grand Island Independent, North Platte Telegraph and Beatrice Daily Sun. During his tenure as publisher at the Enid News & Eagle, the newspaper added several publications and events including Etown,

Enid’s lifestyle magazine; Candy Cane Cash, a popular shop-in-Enid promotion; breaking news text alerts; Ekids; Enid Newcomers Guide; Northwest Oklahoma Medical Directory and other specialty magazines.

The newspaper also raised more than $10,000 each year for local charities and promoted the annual Pillar of the Plains recognition of local and regional volunteer leaders.

As a senior publisher for Community Newspaper Holdings, Funk had administrative responsibility for up to

11 other Oklahoma publications.

In addition to his publisher role, Funk has been active in community activities, serving as a board member or officer of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee Strip Community Foundation, Enid United Way, David Allen Memorial Ballpark, Enid Rotary Club, Willow View United Methodist Church and Enid Public School Foundation.

Funk served as president of the Oklahoma Press Association in 2014.

ONF BEACHY MUSSELMAN AWARD WINNER

MARK CODNER Publisher, The Newcastle Pacer

Mark Codner is the 2021 recipient of the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation’s Beachy Musselman Award.

An award-winning journal-

2

ist, known for professionalism, ethics and community building, Codner was recently named publisher of The Newcastle Pacer.

His journalism career spans more than 30 years.

He and his wife, Sherry, were publishers/owners of The Madill Record and The Texoman from 1994 to 2015.

Before that, he worked in various editor positions at the Tulsa World, Yukon Review/ Mustang News, Collinsville News, Skiatook Journal, Coweta American and Purcell Register.

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

He is a 1988 graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in newspaper journalism.

In 2016, Codner was named news editor of The Edmond Sun where he served until the newspaper closed in 2020. At the Edmond Sun, he implemented several new projects such as highlighting the Teachers of the Year, and a series of articles reporting the efforts behind raising awareness and money for Alzheimer’s research.

Codner is the recipient of numerous awards and has been a member of multiple community organizations including the Marshall County Economic Development Committee, Madill Lions Club and a board member of the non-profit Four Square Hospice.

His passion for the newspaper industry is shown through his commitment to the many journalists he’s trained, and the communities he has been involved in.

Amendment I

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

U.S. Bill of Rights, Ratified Dec. 15th, 1791

The Lawton Constitution is proud to link its name to one of our nation’s most revered documents, the one that safeguards “Freedom of the Press.”

Congratulations to all the OPA Better Newspaper Contest award winners and those who, with every edition, strive to make themselves worthy of our constitutional protection.

2020 OPA AWARD WINNERS

3

OPA HALF CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEE JOHN M. WYLIE II

John M. Wylie II has picked up hundreds of awards in his 51-year career, including a share of a Pulitzer Prize.

His investigative work and commentary have helped ban a pesticide, block development of a phony Biblical theme park, derail a gubernatorial campaign and expose a national political payoff scandal.

In 1984, he and his wife, Faith, purchased the Oologah Lake Leader, a weekly newspaper in Oklahoma. Under their leadership, it was named the state’s best newspaper in its circulation division 17 times.

After selling the Lake Leader, Wylie founded and became president of Wylie Communications, Inc., which provides crisis communications, public relations and political consulting on media and advertising issues.

Wylie started his career as a correspondent in 1972 for the Des Moines Register and United Press International.

He joined the Kansas City Star in 1974 as an intern and was named its first fulltime energy and environment writer in 1975. Wylie’s first Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1976 covered a series on pesticide misuse that led to a federal ban on one chemical and new restrictions on aerial pesticide applications in Kansas and Oklahoma. He was part of the Star team whose coverage of the Hyatt Regency skywalk disaster won a Pulitzer Prize in 1982.

He was a charter member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, was president of three local chapters and deputy regional director of the Society of Professional Journalists, and is a member the Oklahoma Press Association, National Newspaper Association, Investigative Reporters and Editors and FOI Oklahoma.

OPA QUARTER CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEES RONNIE CLAY

Ronnie Clay began his career with The Journal Record in February 1995 as a legislative service proofreader before accepting a public notices position with the newspaper in June of the same year.

He soon made his way to the newsroom, where he has worked for more than 20 years as a copy editor/web editor.

His responsibilities include copy editing stories for The Journal Record and its special publications, updating the website and coordinating print layout with page designers.

4

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

OPA QUARTER CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEES ROB COLLINS

Rob Collins began his newspaper career at The Norman Transcript before serving as managing editor at The Edmond Sun and as editor-in-chief of the weekly Oklahoma Gazette.

In 2012, he returned to his hometown of Enid to serve as executive editor of the Enid News & Eagle and was appointed editor of The Norman Transcript in 2020. He also served as a regional editor for CNHI. In January 2021, Collins joined the Local Media Association (LMA) as the project lead for the Oklahoma Media Center, a journalism collaborative of 20 state newsrooms.

PATRICK FORD

Patrick Ford, an Okmulgee native, began working for the Okmulgee Daily Times after graduating from Okmulgee High School in 1986.

During his career with the newspaper, he has served as composing room supervisor, graphic designer, head photographer, sports editor, news reporter and assistant editor.

For the past three years, Ford has served as a news editor of the Okmulgee Times.

KRISTI DAWN HAYES

Kristi Dawn Hayes worked freelance for the Panhandle Times while attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell.

She moved to Ponca City in 1996 and was hired as the Education Editor at The Ponca City News. In 2008, she was promoted to managing editor and held that position until 2020.

She is a graduate of Leadership Ponca City and recently completed a workshop offered through the Poynter Institute.

JESSICA DANKER MITCHELL

Jessica Danker Mitchell has spent her entire career with The Journal Record.

She was hired as a staff reporter in 1994. In addition to reporting on the energy and banking industries, Mitchell served five years as wire editor, editing copy and designing pages for the daily newspaper.

From 2002 to 2020 she served as special publications editor, overseeing production of more than 20 special publications a year. She also oversees research for The Journal Record’s Book of Lists publication, which is a compilation of businesses in various industries.

SCOTT RAINS

Scott Rains joined the staff of The Lawton Constitution as a staff writer and photographer in April 2005, where he remains today.

Prior to that, he was publisher and editor of The Cyril News. Rains also worked as a pressman at the Edmond Evening Sun for three years.

At the Lawton Constitution, Rains covers all of the southwest portion of Oklahoma but his primary duties are in the “cop shop” and courts. In recent months, he and another Constitution staff member have joined forces to produce the Redder Dirt: An OK Crime Cast true crime podcast.

2020 OPA AWARD WINNERS

5

CHEERS to all the 2020 AWARD WINNERS.

We’re excited to be together this year to toast your achievements.

The Oklahoma Press Association is proud to honor these award winners for their excellence and commitment to their communities.

6

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNERS DIVISION 1

DIVISION 2

Dailies, Circulation more than 4,700

DIVISION 3

Dailies, Circulation 3,000 - 4,700

SEMI- & TRIWEEKLIES

Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000

DIVISION 4

Weeklies, Circulation more than 1,700

A 1Main

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Young discusses Cowgirl tennis season, NCAA cancellations B1

Book

now:

Stillwater

By Janelle Stecklein

CLOSINGS How to Help: Our Daily Bread is asking for cereal items and any non-perishable breakfast items to pack into boxes.

Can be dropped off Saturday, as well as 8 a.m. to noon, Monday-Thursday.

Schools All Oklahoma public schools will be closed until April 6.

OSU is going online for rest of semester MTC closed until April 6 NOC closed until March 30 Events: • All classes, meetings and events at the Stillwater Public Library are canceled • All meetings and events at the Stillwater Community Center are canceled • April 4: Blazathon, canceled • YMCA is closed in Stillwater • Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games, canceled • All OSU related events have been canceled or postponed.

• All meetings at the Stillwater Community Center have been canceled or postponed

In a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt created a “Safer at Home” order for “vulnerable populations” until April 30, and ordered the closure of “non-essential businesses” in the 19 counties with confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 for 21 days.

The order to stay home is for all Oklahomans who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19

such as older people, people with underlying conditions or those immunocompromised.

They would still be allowed to go to places like grocery stores and pharmacies.

The business closures would include Payne County and surrounding Logan, Noble and Pawnee counties. Stitt said the difference between essential and non-essential businesses is based on federal guidelines, but highlighted closure

See Expanded, Page A2

ate Stillw

By Michelle Charles The economic impact of business shutdowns due to COVID-19 is going to take a toll on the City of Stillwater’s finances, City Manager Norman McNickle told the City Council on Monday night.

When the meeting was originally scheduled, it was a study session where he and Finance

See Flux, Page A5

John.D..Montgomery.•.The.Purcell.Register

Heavy smoke damage

Purcell Firefighters found.heavy.smoke.billowing.out.of.the.attic.of. this.two.story.house.on.the.west.edge.of.Purcell.Tuesday.morning.

out. A window was broken and he was taken into custody and then to the hospital after sufAfter an hours-long standoff, fering an injury that occurred police apprehended a Stillwater during his apprehension. There man who was accused of mak- were two firearms recovered by ing threats and brandishing a police. rifle Tuesday night.

Police received a call earlier Joseph James Pradia, 32, in the day about an intoxicated was taken into custody near man making threats in a parkthe 200 block of north Duck ing lot. SPD and OSU police Street after negotiations with both told residents to avoid the police over the phone made no area when the situation began. progress. Police also fired tear In addition to SPD, OSU police, gas into the apartment, but Emergency Management, the ASHLYND HUFFMAN/STILLWATER NEWS PRESS Pradia did not comply with negotiations team and tactical Police wait with their weapons drawn Tuesday during a situation involving porequests to by officers to come unit responded. tentially dangerous threats made by a man who allegedly brandished a rifle.

By Ashlynd Huffman

Jack Angel, notable 1945 graduate of Purcell High School, died Saturday in Thailand.

There were no details about services but information obtained by The Purcell

Editor’s note: This is part one of a multi-part series detailing the stories of how each of the state’s 39 tribes wound up in Oklahoma.

Please see Angel, back page

By Addison Kliewer, Miranda Mahmud, Sarah Beth Guevara Gaylord News

Elijah Kaiser, 1, from Tulsa, and his grandpa, Barry Baker, 62 from Stillwater, are smiling because they were enjoying the sunshine and looking at the calves.

Fall back

Time change at 2 a.m. Sunday

MORE ONLINE

Hi: 81 Low: 59 Sun mixing with high clouds.

– More on B6

THE FRONTIER – Despite efforts to boost testing, Oklahoma still dependent on scarce supplies from outside sources NORMAN – OU suspending ‘non-essential’ research activity as COVID-19 precaution EDMOND – Eviction notices, layoffs increasing

DIVISION 5

Volu me 100 | N u mb er 48 1 S EC T I ON , 20 PAG ES

75¢

ponents, including some law enforcement groups, anti-domestic violence advocates, and the state district attorneys association, say the measure is a misguided attempt to give repeat offenders multiple chances. In reality, they say, the measure is a get-out-of-jail card for career criminals who could return to their communities and commit more crimes.

They say non-violent offenses could include domestic vioInside lence in the presence of a child, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson, DUI or soliciting sex from a minor using technology.

Inside

State Questions

would be used to get federal matching funds. Gov. Kevin Stitt, who opposed the Medicaid expansion, supports State Question 814 as a way to pay the state’s portion of Medicaid costs. A Constitutional amendment is required to change the settlement proceeds formula as voters earmarked the funds in 2000 by approving SQ 692 by nearly 69 percent. Some health groups, such as the American Cancer Society’s CanFind cer Action Network, oppose SQ 814 on the grounds that it diverts funding from programs that improve the health of all Oklahomans.

State Bound

Please see Walters, back page it...

Opinion.................4A

For more information about State Questions, see the Cross country’s Oklahoma State Election Board website at Society..................6A State Meet is www.ok.gov/elections/Election_Info/State_Question_info.html

An analysis of SQ 805 and SQ 814.

NOVEMBER 3, 2020

thisorweekend. the Oklahoma Secretary of State website at www.sos.ok.gov/gov/state_questions.aspx

Sports...................1B Obituaries...........10A

Pg..8A

Pg..1B

Classifieds............9B

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT PAID ADVERTISING.

Weeklies, Circulation 900 - 1,175

DIVISION 7

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

Weeklies, Circulation less than 900 75¢

Wednesday

CLEVEL

STATE QUESTION NO. 814 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 375

This measure seeks to amend Article 10, Section 40 of the Oklahoma Constitution (Section 40), which directs proceeds from the State’s settlements with or judgments against tobacco companies. Currently, Section 40 directs 75% of proceeds to the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund (TSET Fund), where earnings may only be used for tobacco prevention programs, cancer research, and other such programs to maintain or improve the health of Oklahomans. Meanwhile, the remaining 25% of proceeds are directed to a separate fund for the Legislature (Legislative Fund). The Legislature can also direct some of that 25% to the Attorney General.

ATTENTION EDITORS: Use this analysis to provide your readers with a summary of the state questions appearing on the November 3 ballot.

Use it as often as you wish.

DIVISION 6

Weeklies, Circulation 1,176 - 1,700

STATE QUESTION NO. 805 INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 421

This measure seeks to add a new Article II-A to the Oklahoma Constitution. This new Article excepts and does not apply to persons who have ever been convicted of a violent felony. It would prohibit the use of a former felony conviction to increase the statutorily allowable base range of punishment for a person subsequently convicted of a felony. Individuals who are currently incarcerated for felony sentences that were enhanced based on one or more former felony convictions, and whose sentences are greater than the maximum sentence that may currently be imposed for such felonies, may seek sentence modification in court. The new Article sets forth a detailed process for such sentence modification, including but not limited to requirements for a hearing, appointment of counsel for indigent petitioners, and

Interest running high in 2020 races

This measure amends Section 40 to reduce the percentage of proceeds that go notification of victims, and requires that the court impose a modified sentence nothe on election day Tuesday. secretary, compared cycle, hasthemailed into the TSET Fund fromthe 75% tooffice 25%. As a result, remaining 75% will go to greater than the current maximum sentence which may be imposed on a person the Legislative Fund and the Legislature may continue to direct a portion to the convicted of the same felonyinterest with no former felonyspike convictions, and results But so far more than 1,200 inwhichvoting out The 2,761 ballots –theausewhopAttorney General. measure would also restrict of the Legislative Fund.

Ray Walters in no greater time served in prison than under the original sentence. It establish40 currently states only that the Legislative Fund is subject to legislative es an appeal procedure, provides effective date, and contains a severability McClain County voters have by anmail this year to theSection ping 119 percent more thanFund must be appropriation.

If this measure passes, money from the Legislative clause. federal matching funds for Oklahoma’s Medicaid Program.

JeanneGrimes returned marked mail-in numbers recorded in theused to getfour years ago.

SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? FOR THE PROPOSAL - YES FOR THE the PROPOSAL - YES ballots sent The Purcell Register absentee ballots to the elec2016 -Presidential election.

Of 1,261 AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO tion board.

Haley’s office out four years ago, voters SUMMARY: State Question 805 will be on the mailed Nov. 3 SUMMARY: State Question 814, referred to voters by When Ray Walters turned ballot after nearly 250,000 Oklahoma votersto signed an ini- in Karen Haley, McClain 1,261 ballots voters returned 1,048 the statemarked legislature, and changes the amount of money directed tiative petition. It was billed as a “smart on crime” measure to the state’s Tobacco Settlementof Endowment County Election Board This or 83.1 percent them. Trust (TSET 50, he made himself a promthat could result in up to $186 2016. million prison cost election savings.

Fund) from 75 percent of the annual payments to 25 percent. ise – exercise more so when The measure prohibits Oklahoma judges from using previAs of 3 p.m.

Monday, the payment Currently TSET receives 75 percent of the annual ous nonviolent felony convictions as a reason to increase and the remaining 25 percent is directed to the legislature he reached 60, he would be prison sentences for defendants convicted of new nonviolent and the Attorney General. Oklahoma voters created TSET physically fit. crimes. Current inmates who received enhanced sentences to manage smoking cessation, cancer research, obesity and for nonviolent felony convictions could ask the court for Now 62, it appears he may other healthy living programs from the 1998 master settlesentence reductions. If approved, new guidelines require the Please Voting, ment agreement between tobaccosee companies and 46 states. have exceeded his expectacourt to impose a sentence no greater than the current maxOnly earnings on the state’s accumulated $1.3 billion fund back page imum sentence given for a person with no former nonviolent are used each year. That amounts to between $70 million tions although the most he felony convictions for the same crime. The Constitutional and $75 million payments to divide between TSET and the will modestly claim is he’s in Amendment establishes a hearing process, appointment of legislature. A yes vote on Nov. 3 would let lawmakers redicounsel for indigents, notification of victims and an appeals rect TSET funds to pay for the current Medicaid program “fair” shape. procedure. Proponents say Oklahoma inmates convicted of and the expanded program Oklahoma voters approved when An avid cyclist, he’s pedaled property and drug crimes currently spend more than 70 perthey narrowly passed State Question 802 in June. If passed cent more time behind bars than the national average. OpNov. 3, the money from the Legislative portion of TSET his way across Oklahoma seven

4 COL (10P), 6.92” X 10.7”

55pc Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Impact Bit Set Other Tool Lines 16190 Everything in our Tool and Equipment Titan, Milwaukee, Carlyle and More!!

Catalog is on Sale!! All Gold Filters!

Over 10,000 Items!

All AG Bearings Over 500 Manufacturers!

PTECENTRAL.COM & HD Products!

Tues. March 24th 1538 E. Main Cushing (918) 225-4525 Fri – Sat. March 27th & 28th 415 S. Perkins Rd. Stillwater (405) 372-4422

Vol. 113, No. 73

Ray Walters exceeds fitness expectations

Early Voting JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register In-person absentee voting in next week’s general election begins at 8 a.m. today (Thursday) at the McClain County Election Board office in the courthouse.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Precinct polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s that time of year. Again.

Our clocks, if not our bodies, will return to standard time officially at 2 a.m. Sunday.

In saying goodbye to daylight savings know that it is just a temporary parting and daylight savings will return at 2 a.m. March 14, 2021.

See Trails, Page A6

John.D..Montgomery.•.The.Purcell.Register

STATE QUESTION ANALYSIS

Jack Angel

the tribes with a removal the Native lands better than story. There are 39 tribes in the original inhabitants. This Oklahoma, five native to the “Indian problem” motivated state, that have stories to be settlers to strip Native people told – each with its own Trail of of their land and resources, conTears. stantly pushing tribal members Long before the removal pefarther west. riod, the federal government That pressure often resulted believed white people could use

WEATHER

Trees and other.foliage.in.Central.Oklahoma.sustained.extensive.damage.from. the.freezing.rain.that.fell.here.Tuesday.in.conjunction.with.the.second.wave.of.the. winter.storm.

Two state questions will appear on the November 3 general election ballot. State Question 805 was placed on the ballot by gathering signatures from citizens; State Question 814 was referred to a vote of the people by the Oklahoma Legislature. Each question is reprinted here as it will appear on the ballot followed by a brief summary.

MIRANDA MAHMUD/GAYLORD NEWS

Kevin Gover, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, stands in the museum and addresses the treatment of Native Americans throughout history on Sept. 25.

SMILE OF THE DAY

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Massive destruction

Please.see.Power,.back.page

Marathon effort

John D. Montgomery The Purcell Register

Trails to Indian country define Oklahoma

Removal of the Choctaw Nation commenced even earlier, in 1830. Like the Cherokees, they left behind their homes and a way of life developed over millennia to start over in an alien environment on the prairie.

But the Cherokee and Choctaw nations are only two of

Power.was.knocked.out.in. many.parts.of.Purcell.including.the.downtown.area.and. numerous.housing.additions.

Tuesday.about.9:40.a.m.

Power. was. out. at. Lexington. until. at. least. 7. p.m.. when. crews. were. going. to. start.turning.on.customers,. city. manager. Deana. Allen. reported.

Power. was. restored. at.

11:30.a.m..thanks.to.diligent. and.heroic.work.by.the.City. of.Purcell.electric.crews.

The.lights.went.out.again. about. 30. minutes. later. totaling. 1. 1/2. hours. for. the. morning.

The. outage,. coupled. with.the.inclement.weather,. brought.area.businesses.to. a.near.halt.in.many.areas.

There. were. also. reports. of. spotty. outages. in. both.

Wayne.and.Washington.

Power.was.knocked.out.in.

Jack Angel dies in Thailand

ahuffman@stwnewspress.com

WASHINGTON – The Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma, was one of the most inhumane policy implementations in American history – but it was not an isolated incident.

Nearly 16,000 members of the Cherokee Nation were forced under armed guard in 1831 to leave their native homeland in the southeastern United States to trek more than a thousand miles to what would eventually become the state of Oklahoma.

Almost 4,000 Cherokees died along the way, never making it to the land designated by the U.S. government as Indian Territory.

75¢

John D. Montgomery The Purcell Register

Prepared budget a ‘springboard’ subject to COVID-19 impacts mcharles@stwnewspress.com

SCREEN GRAB

2019

Vol. 133 No. 50 • 3 sections • 38 pages

Freezing rain weighs down trees that affect power lines

stwnewspress.com

Gov. Kevin Stitt gave an update to state orders regarding COVID-19 on Tuesday.

purcellregister.com

Power out inandLexington Purcell

t secu ing \ Shor OK.comrt lwater po FlyStil r Regional Air

Standoff ends in Stillwater man’s arrest

Let us know what you would like to know about and have us cover concerning the novel coronavirus.

Contact us on social media like Twitter and Facebook or email editor@stwnewspress.com

THE

Since 1887

e to home

\ clos

Emergency orders expanded In flux CNHI News Oklahoma

BY THE NUMBERS

Happy Halloween

News Source for The Heart of Oklahoma

aa.com

Free park

‘Safer at Home’ order created; business closures in affected counties

COVID-19 Test Results Positive (In-state) 106 Positive (out-of-state) 2 Negative 735 Hospitalizations 25 Deaths 3 Area County Cases Cleveland 22 Logan 1 Oklahoma 41 Pawnee 4 Payne 3 Tulsa 12 Cases by Age Group 0-4 2 18-35 26 36-49 23 50-64 26 65-plus 29 Cases by Gender Male 56 Female 50 As of 7 a.m. Tuesday.

SWO at

rity lines

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATES

rt code

use airpo

Thursday, October 29, 2020

News Press $1.00

flights

EASTERN TIMES-REGISTER

JUNE 3, 2020

ND MERICAN A NEW LOOK FOR SUMMER!

Serving Muldrow, Roland and all of Eastern Sequoyah County

PUB LI S H E D I N CLE VE LA N D, PAW NE E C OU NT Y, O KLA H O M A S I N CE S E P T E M BE R 1919

Vol. No. 15 - Issue No. 09

easterntimesregister.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Muldrow Man runs roadblock while trying to elude officers AMIE REMER Editor

A Muldrow man who reportedly ran numerous stop signs at speeds of up to 98 mph while allegedly trying to elude a Muldrow Police Officer has now been charged in Sequoyah County District Court.

John L. Hamilton, 23,

was formally charged on Sept. 1 with felony counts of endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude police officers, running a roadblock and two counts of possession of controlled dangerous substance, and a criminal misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He

received a $6,500 bond and is now scheduled for an Oct. 7 felony disposition docket.

Muldrow Police Officer Riley Brooks reported on Aug. 21 at around 11 p.m. that he was patrolling Main Street when he saw a Honda car traveling south with its bright see ELudE, page 3

Roland Police Seize nearly $150,000 in I-40 traffic stop AMIE REMER Editor

Photo courtEsy of Eric hELMs, district 27 dtf

Authorities with the District 27 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and Muldrow Police

Department seized a total of 76 marijuana plants in various stages of growth from a Muldrow residence following a 5-month long investigation.

Cravens Now Charged in Illegal Grow Operation

Two officers with the Roland Police Department reportedly seized nearly $150,000 in U.S. currency following a traffic stop on U.S. Interstate-40 earlier this month.

Two Little Rock, Ark. men, Anthony A. Bu-

rel, 43, and Tetus Jenkins, 42, are now facing felony charges of acquire proceeds from drug activity and possession of controlled dangerous substance, and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in Sequoyah County District Court.

Burel received an $11,000 bond and after failing to appear at his arraignment, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on Sept. 3. Jenkins received a $6,000 bond and is now scheduled for an Oct. 7 felony disposition docket.

Roland Police Officer see PoLicE, page 3

After Agents seize 76 marijuana plants

Stand!

Force, Oklahoma Bureau was formally charged of Narcotics and Dan- on Aug. 28 with felony The name of a Muld- gerous Drugs, and the counts of cultivation of substance, row woman who was ar- Muldrow Police Depart- controlled rested for an illegal grow ment has been released maintaining place for conoperation following a in an affidavit after be- keeping/selling five-month investiga- ing charged in Sequoyah trolled substance and acquire proceeds from drug tion by District 27 Drug County District Court.

Morgan Cravens, 31, and Violent Crime Task

AMIE REMER Editor

lf cannot stand.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

COOLING OFF AT FEYODI

100 A

eats.com

see GroW, page 8

Using her Wonder Woman powers, this young swimmer enjoyed splashing in the lake waters Saturday at Feyodi Park, just south of Cleveland.

NATASJA KEMP PHOTO

CENTURY OF

Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen open to local students Jackie Plank, Sr. Vice This year’s theme is “Is President for VFW Auxil- This The Country The The Muldrow Vet- iary Post 8384 said Voice Founders Envisioned?” erans’ of Foreign Wars of Democracy is open Plank said there are and Auxiliary Post 8384 to students from grades cash prizes for first is offering two scholar- ninth through 12th and through third place winship contests and awards, is a speech recorded on ners locally, at district Voice of Democracy and a CD or audio flash drive and state level.

Patriot’s Pen. 3 to 5 minutes in length. see VoicE, page 8

AMIE REMER Editor

HEADLINES

Can Trust

Accident leads to discovery of Stolen Vehicle AMIE REMER Editor

A vehicle involved in a traffic accident earlier this month in Muldrow has led to the discovery of a stolen vehicle from Arkansas.

Brittany Guillory, 21, of Fort Smith was formally charged in Sequoyah

POINTS: Points in the first eight categories are awarded as follows. No points are awarded in categories 9 through 20.

EVENTS 1-3 1st Place 110 Points 2nd Place 80 Points 3rd Place 60 Points

County District Court on Sept. 1 with a felony count of possession of stolen vehicle and a misdemeanor count of driving under suspension.

As of press time, she was scheduled to appear for a Sept. 16 felony disposition docket.

Muldrow Police Officer Mark Harkins reported on Aug. 29 he was dispatched to the intersection of Shawntel Smith and Redland Road to a traffic accident. After arriving on the accident scene the officer reported seeing a black Chevy Ta-

EVENTS 4-8 1st Place 100 Points 2nd Place 70 Points 3rd Place 50 Points

see VEhicLE, page 8

Photo courtEsy of roLANd PoLicE dEPArtMENt

Roland Police Officer Duwaine Chase, left, is shown with the department’s K-9 Joy and Roland Police Officer Steven Edwards after they seized a

total of $149,416 during a traffic stop earlier this month.

Each division’s Sweepstakes winner, which is determined by the amount of points accumulated in the first eight categories, receives the Sequoyah Award – the highest honor in the contest.

2020 OPA AWARD WINNERS

7

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 1 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. MORE THAN 4,700 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING

FIRST PLACE

The Norman Transcript

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Lawton Constitution

The Lawton Constitution

The Lawton Constitution

Enid News & Eagle

SECOND PLACE

Community Coloring Challenge

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Enid News & Eagle

SECOND PLACE

Enid News & Eagle

SECOND PLACE

The Norman Transcript

Homelessness series THIRD PLACE

The Norman Transcript

Changes to city mask mandate after student house party coverage

PHOTOGRAPHY

LAYOUT & DESIGN

NEWS STORY

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Scott Rains The Lawton Constitution

The Lawton Constitution The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

Enid News & Eagle

FIRST PLACE

Sisters tell story

The Lawton Constitution

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Gary Reddin The Lawton Constitution

The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

No means no

Enid News & Eagle

THIRD PLACE

Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

Enid News & Eagle

Mask mandate passes

FEATURE STORY

SECOND PLACE

The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

ADVERTISING

The Lawton Constitution

FIRST PLACE

The Lawton Constitution SECOND PLACE

Enid News & Eagle THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Norman Transcript

SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE

The Norman Transcript The Pet Issue

SECOND PLACE

The Lawton Constitution Shop Local. Shop Strong.

THIRD PLACE

Enid News & Eagle Candy Cane Cash

8

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Scott Rains The Lawton Constitution

Firefighter takes upper hand in fight for his life due to COVID-19 SECOND PLACE

Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle

Homelessness series: ‘Ruined for the rest of us’ THIRD PLACE

Scott Rains The Lawton Constitution

Brazzel celebrated at the end of his 45-year shift

SPORTS STORY

LARGE SPACE AD

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Glen Brockenbush The Lawton Constitution

Belinda Darnel and Kayla Durham The Lawton Constitution

Does Redskins decision signal change in OK?

Discount Foods Thanksgiving

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Bruce Campbell Enid News & Eagle

Kathy Young Enid News & Eagle

Hot start ... sudden stop; NOC’s Ambren Voitik

81 Ranch

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Cindy Wright, Debbie Sinderson and Toni Wilson The Lawton Constitution

Glen Brockenbush The Lawton Constitution Not everyone gets Kobe treatment

Classic Lawton Chevrolet Cares

FIRST PLACE

Billy Hefton Enid News & Eagle

Garber players celebrate state win SECOND PLACE

IN-DEPTH REPORTING

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE

(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 2)

Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript

FIRST PLACE

Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater News Press

Protest for justice

Lack of prosecution for sexual assaults and rapes in Payne County

KU quarterback tries to leap over OU defense THIRD PLACE

Michael Pope The Lawton Constitution

Sunset at MacArthur v. Noble game

SECOND PLACE

Billy Hefton Enid News & Eagle Woman rescued by Enid Fire Department after tree crashes through trailer

SECOND PLACE

Kim McConnell The Lawton Constitution

Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

Capital Improvements Program THIRD PLACE

Michael Pope The Lawton Constitution Fire destroys Cache houses

Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle

Enid mask mandate and related recall petition

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE

Jeff Mullin Enid News & Eagle SECOND PLACE

Dave Ruthenberg Enid News & Eagle THIRD PLACE

Gary Reddin The Lawton Constitution

SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Luke Garis Enid News & Eagle Land Run Steakhouse SECOND PLACE

Belinda Darnell and Kayla Durham The Lawton Constitution Brady’s Design Center THIRD PLACE

Kathy Young Enid News & Eagle

FIRST PLACE

Michael Pope The Lawton Constitution

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

July 17

Little girl kisses her mini Hereford heifer

Michael Pope The Lawton Constitution

Full moon behind church before Easter THIRD PLACE

Billy Hefton Enid News & Eagle

Icicles hang from a Halloween skeleton

Sonya Bilovecky, Dee Ann Patterson and Cindy Wright The Lawton Constitution SECOND PLACE

Joe Malan Enid News & Eagle June 23

THIRD PLACE

David Christy Enid News & Eagle May 10

Rowdy Stickhorse

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

9

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 2 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF 3,000 - 4,700 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING

SALES PROMOTION

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Muskogee Phoenix

The Shawnee News-Star

SECOND PLACE

2020 Wish You Were Here - Discover Shawnee

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Stillwater News Press

Stillwater News Press

Readers Choice Best of Stillwater

FIRST PLACE

Muskogee Phoenix SECOND PLACE

The Ardmoreite THIRD PLACE

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Stillwater News Press

FIRST PLACE

Stillwater News Press

PHOTOGRAPHY

Help for Stillwater Medical Center

LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Bartlesville ExaminerEnterprise

The Shawnee News-Star

Best of Preps 2020 awards

SECOND PLACE

Muskogee Phoenix THIRD PLACE

NEWS STORY

The Shawnee News-Star FIRST PLACE

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise SECOND PLACE

Stillwater News Press THIRD PLACE

The Shawnee News-Star

SPORTS COVERAGE

ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise SECOND PLACE

Stillwater News Press THIRD PLACE

The Shawnee News-Star

FIRST PLACE

Stillwater News Press SECOND PLACE

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise THIRD PLACE

The Shawnee News-Star

FIRST PLACE

Michelle Charles Stillwater News Press

Tumbleweed owner addresses Weedstock worries SECOND PLACE

Michelle Charles Stillwater News Press Waiting game

THIRD PLACE

Kim Archer Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Bartlesville hospital’s front-line health care professionals get vaccine

10

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE STORY

COLUMN WRITING

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater News Press

Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

Coping with crisis; Coronavirus compared to Great Depression SECOND PLACE

Celebrating veteran on 100th birthday SECOND PLACE

Michelle Charles Stillwater News Press

FIRST PLACE

D.E. Smoot Muskogee Phoenix

High school color guard practices spins THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

Ronn Rowland Muskogee Phoenix

Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press

Blair remembered in words, in song

Man enjoys freedom with new prosthetic hand

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Edwyna Synar Muskogee Phoenix

Vicky O. Misa The Shawnee News-Star

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

Kayak Club: Activity picking up at Twin Lakes

LARGE SPACE AD

SPORTS STORY

FIRST PLACE

Laura Watts The Journal Record

FIRST PLACE

Mike Tupa Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Scissortail Waste Solutions

A remarkable man: Al Bunge SECOND PLACE

Jimmy Gillispie Stillwater News Press NCAA drops hammer on Cowboy basketball

FIRST PLACE

Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press

Jesus House

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Laura Watts The Journal Record

Brian Johnson The Shawnee News-Star

Shawnee coach Arthur glad about long-awaited announcement of Sutton’s induction

SECOND PLACE

Laura Watts The Journal Record

Oklahoma History Center

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SECOND PLACE

Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press

Wrestler jumps into coach’s arms after winning championship THIRD PLACE

Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press

Stillwater loses football game to Choctaw

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 1)

FIRST PLACE

Tina Bridenstine The Shawnee News-Star

FIRST PLACE

Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater News Press

Lack of prosecution for sexual assaults and rapes in Payne County SECOND PLACE

Kim McConnell The Lawton Constitution

Capital Improvements Program THIRD PLACE

Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle

Spencer Sanders dives toward the end zone against Iowa State

December 12

SECOND PLACE FIRST PLACE

Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater News Press

Tanner Holubar Stillwater News Press April 1

Standoff ends in Stillwater man’s arrest

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Tina Bridenstine The Shawnee News-Star

Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press

Police officer talks with young man

February 28

THIRD PLACE

Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

Racially insensitive post leads to apology

Enid mask mandate and related recall petition

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

11

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 3 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 3,000 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE

SALES PROMOTION

FIRST PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

FIRST PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

SECOND PLACE

McAlester News-Capital

SECOND PLACE

McAlester News-Capital

Football Preview

McAlester News-Capital

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

The Ada News

Newcomers Guide THIRD PLACE

The Ada News

PHOTOGRAPHY

Readers Choice

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE

McAlester News-Capital

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Angel Tree

SECOND PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Ada News

The Ada News SECOND PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press THIRD PLACE

McAlester News-Capital

FIRST PLACE

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

SECOND PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

The Ada News

THIRD PLACE

McAlester News-Capital

Community Spirit, Everyday Heroes

THIRD PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

The Ada News SECOND PLACE

Tahlequah Daily Press

NEWS STORY FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE

Jeff Cali The Ada News

The Claremore Daily Progress

Local restaurant wading through tough times

McAlester News-Capital

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press

Tahlequah Daily Press

NHS loses residency program accreditation

THIRD PLACE

The Ada News THIRD PLACE

James Beaty McAlester News-Capital

Ekklesia of Oklahoma founder alleges Sen. Boggs threatened him

12

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE STORY

SMALL SPACE AD

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

Richard Barron The Ada News Fireworks of the Battle of the Kevins

Skinner speaks out about racial injustice

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

FIRST PLACE

James Beaty McAlester News-Capital

Jana Weddle McAlester News-Capital

Bebo: Schooling the blues

Alamo Liquor

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

Kujawa turns bodybuilding hobby into passion

Jill Hundley McAlester News-Capital Honey Beene

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

A loving gesture: Mike Darden gives daughter Kylee lasting sports memory

Preparing bags for Bookbag Giveaway THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Adrian O’Hanlon III McAlester News-Capital

Samantha Spears, LeaAnn Wells and Maurisa Nelson The Ada News

Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press

River otter moves in at Three Forks

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE

Jay Lederman The Claremore Daily Progress

Platinum Custom Detailing LLC

Claremore senior makes an acrobatic catch between Pryor defenders

LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Jana Weddle McAlester News-Capital

SECOND PLACE

Southeast Clinic

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

SECOND PLACE

Samantha Spears, LeaAnn Wells and Maurisa Nelson The Ada News

Like father, like son: Matt, Scott Walton celebrate 25th anniversary of father-son racing program THIRD PLACE

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

Waddell Vineyards THIRD PLACE

Claremore track runners reflect on Moore tragedy

Jana Weddle McAlester News-Capital

IN-DEPTH REPORTING

Kennedy EyeCare

FIRST PLACE

Kevin Green and Duane DaPron The Claremore Daily Progress

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Jeff Cali The Ada News SECOND PLACE

Cindy Byrd The Ada News

FIRST PLACE

April 1 FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

Samantha Spears The Ada News

Local football coaches’ thoughts on COVID-19 and its impact on football season

COLUMN WRITING

Vanoss coach celebrates overtime win against Latta

SECOND PLACE

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

‘More questions than answers’ after McGirt ruling

THIRD PLACE

Richard Barron The Ada News

December 12

SECOND PLACE

Derrick James McAlester News-Capital

Latta’s Collins breaks Bowen’s record for most wins

Dawnyal Hill McAlester News-Capital

Effect of COVID-19 on Rogers State University athletics

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Richard Barron The Ada News

Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press Trump at the BOK

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press February 28

Richard Barron The Ada News

2020: The Year in Pictures THIRD PLACE

Richard Barron The Ada News

Vanoss school students in masks

THIRD PLACE

Kevin Green The Claremore Daily Progress

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

13

Congratulations

Mark Codner!

2021 Winner of the Beachy Musselman Award The

Purcell

14

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Register

ai162101541327_AudiencePlus_7.5x10 copy.pdf 1 5/14/2021 1:03:34 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

15

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY RESULTS NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE

SALES PROMOTION

FIRST PLACE

Yukon Review

FIRST PLACE

El Reno Tribune

SECOND PLACE

Sequoyah County Times

SECOND PLACE

Okmulgee Times

Woodward News

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Sequoyah County Times

Retirement Fair

SECOND PLACE

Okmulgee Times

The Duncan Banner

Focus Magazine THIRD PLACE

Woodward News Behind the Scenes

PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE

El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE

Woodward News THIRD PLACE

Yukon Review

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

El Reno Tribune

El Reno Tribune

El Reno Live

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Henryetta Free-Lance

Sequoyah County Times

THIRD PLACE

Pet Calendar Contest

Woodward News

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE

Okmulgee Times

Distanced Dining Sponsorships

NEWS STORY

Okmulgee Times THIRD PLACE

ADVERTISING

The Duncan Banner FIRST PLACE

Okmulgee Times SECOND PLACE

Henryetta Free-Lance

FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Roy Faulkenberry Sequoyah County Times

Woodward News

DA outlines concerns over McGirt ruling SECOND PLACE

Glen Miller and Staff El Reno Tribune

Floyd anger spills to El Reno THIRD PLACE

Dawnita Fogleman Woodward News

Schools rise to challenge: Sharon-Mutual using innovative techniques in distance learning

16

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE STORY

SMALL SPACE AD

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

Shonda Little The Elk City News

FIRST PLACE

Elk City mother tells harrowing story of premature birth

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune

3 stages of pelicans in flight

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Shonda Little The Elk City News

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune

Beckham County cowboy celebrates 74th birthday and remembers famous horse

THIRD PLACE

Smiling boy at Therapeutic Riding Program THIRD PLACE

Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

Patrick Ford Okmulgee Times

Local boy’s wish draws military crowd

Commissioner has enjoyed ‘tour of duty’

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE

Glen Miller and Staff El Reno Tribune

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Ross Seed: spring garden

Hub into the HOF

Glen Miller and Staff El Reno Tribune

El Reno remembers the Hall of Fame career lived

by Hub Reed

Lyndsay Bayne and Erin Thompson El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE

Crystal Childers The Duncan Banner DYO Pizza

FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Chris Day Sequoyah County Times

Lyndsay Bayne and Staff El Reno Tribune

THIRD PLACE

Glen Miller and Staff El Reno Tribune

Central High running back stiff arms Heavener player

Ross Seed: No bugs allowed

Robocop: El Reno policeman wins Strongest Man title

IN-DEPTH REPORTING FIRST PLACE

Glen Miller and Staff El Reno Tribune Hub into the HOF

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Lyndsay Bayne and Erin Thompson El Reno Tribune City of El Reno COVID resources SECOND PLACE

Staff El Reno Tribune

Lyndsay Bayne and Staff El Reno Tribune

COVID 19 coverage

Ross Seed garden workshop

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner Medicinal Marijuana Ordinance

COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE

Crystal Childers The Duncan Banner Powerhouse Academy

SECOND PLACE

Floyd protest photo essay

David Seeley Poteau Daily News

THIRD PLACE

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune

Volleyball player dives for ball in regional match against Glenpool

FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE

Glen Miller, Lyndsay Bayne and Staff El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Block in basketball game of Sallisaw v. Roland

February 2

Roy Faulkenberry Sequoyah County Times Linda Provost The Duncan Banner

Chris Day Sequoyah County Times

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune

Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner June 20

THIRD PLACE

Patrick Ford Okmulgee Times January 31

Lineman works after ice damage THIRD PLACE

Johnny McMahan Woodward News Trailer house fire

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

17

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 4 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF MORE THAN 1,700 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

FIRST PLACE

Lincoln County News

The Purcell Register

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Mustang Times

Mustang Times

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

OKC Friday

The Stilwell Democrat Journal

PHOTOGRAPHY

FIRST PLACE FIRST PLACE

Choctaw Times SECOND PLACE

Mustang Times THIRD PLACE

The Purcell Register

LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE

The Stilwell Democrat Journal

The Purcell Register Operation Christmas SECOND PLACE

The Eufaula Indian Journal Children during a pandemic THIRD PLACE

Choctaw Times Food Drive

NEWS STORY SPORTS COVERAGE

FIRST PLACE

John Small Johnston County Sentinel

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

The Purcell Register

THIRD PLACE

OKC Friday

Mustang Times

SECOND PLACE

The Purcell Register

Tempers flare during discussion of proposed park

THIRD PLACE

Mustang Times SECOND PLACE

Ryan Horton Choctaw Times

Biosolid debate continues THIRD PLACE

SALES PROMOTION

ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE

OKC Friday

SECOND PLACE

The Purcell Register THIRD PLACE

Mustang Times

FIRST PLACE

Jessica Lane The Express-Star

Protest against racism, for love grows in Chickasha

OKC Friday

Celebrate Oklahoma SECOND PLACE

FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE

The Eufaula Indian Journal

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal

Gridiron Guide

THIRD PLACE

Sophia loves horses

Choctaw Times

Hometown Heroes: A salute to essential workers

SECOND PLACE

Rose Lane OKC Friday

THIRD PLACE

Rebecca Carroll Marietta Monitor

Beasley’s recreation of painting featured in ‘People’

Trip of a lifetime... Langleys’ summer journey

18

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

SPORTS STORY

LARGE SPACE AD

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE

Joshua Small Johnston County Sentinel

Simple Simon’s Pizza

FIRST PLACE

Shalene White The Madill Record

Half of a crown makes one feel whole

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Shalene White The Madill Record

Rodney Haltom The Eufaula Indian Journal

SECOND PLACE

Dallas Cowboys lay out COVID-19 prevention plan

Kindra Blansett Lincoln County News

Bronc rider goes airborne at Eufaula Round-Up Club Rodeo

THIRD PLACE

Anthony’s Foods

Shalene White The Madill Record

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Lindsay Tesio Choctaw Times

Kingston teen named All-American in trapshooting

Juanita Lewis The Stilwell Democrat Journal

Choctaw and Booker T. Washington players in midair clash

Stilwell Spirits Christmas

IN-DEPTH REPORTING FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Jason Turner Choctaw Times

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Fans prepare to catch Harrah Homecoming Queen on court

Ryan Horton Choctaw Times

Choctaw’s road plan

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

SECOND PLACE

John Small, Tom Lokey and Mary Lokey Johnston County Sentinel COVID-19 coverage

FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Brian Blansett Lincoln County News

John Small Johnston County Sentinel

Federal judge strikes down McCall railroad law

COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE

Traci Chapman Mustang Times SECOND PLACE

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal

THIRD PLACE

Graduation parade wave SECOND PLACE

Kindra Blansett Lincoln County News

Flag-waving girl at playoffs THIRD PLACE

Brian Blansett Lincoln County News Chandler Rodeo bull rider

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE

Ryan Horton Choctaw Times

John Small Johnston County Sentinel

SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

David Stull The Purcell Register Purcell Chiropractic SECOND PLACE

David Stull The Purcell Register THIRD PLACE

Clark’s Floors & More

Juanita Lewis The Stilwell Democrat Journal Front Porch Fabrics

SECOND PLACE

Joshua Small Johnston County Sentinel

Red, White and BOOM! fireworks THIRD PLACE

Traci Chapman Mustang Times

Splash pad at Wild Horse Park

Sun sets behind the Choctaw Creek Park pond

FIRST PLACE

Ryan Horton Choctaw Times January 1

SECOND PLACE

Jeff Harrison and Traci Chapman Mustang Times February 19

THIRD PLACE

Juanita Lewis The Stilwell Democrat Journal December 16

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

19

It takes a

d

d

d

R A T S K C RO team to put out an d

d

d

d

award-winning newspaper!

A D M I T

O N E

A D M I T

O N E

Owners John Settle and Rusty Mulinix, and Publisher Paula Settle are very proud of their “small but mighty” staff, who go above and beyond each week to publish two editions of The Yukon Review and one edition of The Mustang News. Thank you to our amazing staff!

20

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Your paper needs a little...

Introducing a fresh, new weekly kids’ activity page conceived last year, when elementary students began distance learning, as a way to keep them engaged in the learning process.

Attract young readers (and their parents) to your newpaper with this weekly feature!

Whales

Half of all the types of whales migrate. They move from place to place following food and to have a safe place to have their babies. The humpback whale can travel as far as 3,000 miles each year.

The largest animals to live on Earth live in the ocean. The blue whale which is the largest can weigh up to 150 tons. That is equal to 300,000 pounds. Whales are mammals. That means they feed their babies milk and breathe air. Some whales have teeth and others do not. Whales with teeth have one blowhole and toothless, or baleen whales, have two blowholes. A blowhole is like a nose and whales use it to breathe. The blowhole is on the top of the head.

Blue whales are believed to be larger than the largest dinosaur. They can grow up to 95 feet long. The blue whale is a baleen whale. This means they have no teeth. Instead they have structures in their mouth that is made of something like the same material that makes horns. Blue whales eat krill. Krill is a small crustacean that looks like a shrimp and is about 2 inches long. To fill its belly a blue whale must eat 4 to 8 tons of krill each day. People used to hunt blue whales and they killed so many the blue whale is endangered.

There are only about 25,000 in the world.

Australia Most whales sing or make whistling noises. Scientists believe this is actually whale language that helps them communicate with each other.

Another easy to identify whale is the killer whale. Just check out its black and white markings. The Orca is a toothed whale and likes to eat just any animal in the ocean like Australia isabout the only country in the fish, an seals even other whales. world that covers entireand continent.

Contact us for a

It is an island continent that is located south of the equator. When it is summer in the United States and other places north of the equator it is winter in Australia. When we think of Australia we think of Koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and the Great Barrier Reef but there is so much more to discover there.

!

free trial sample

antsnews.com pport@smartyp

su

No obligation, no commitment.

There are many amazing places to visit in Australia and a lot of things to do. The largest city in Australia is Sydney. It is home to the Sydney Opera house which is a national landmark and Bondi Beach which is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the whole world. A couple hours south of Sydney is Canberra the nation’s capitol. You can also visit the world’s largest monolith, or freestanding rock, named Uluru or Ayer’s Rock. One of the most popular places to visit is the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is located along the eastern coastline and is 1,615 miles long.

Crossword Australia Day is the official national holiday. It celebrates the founding of Australia as a British Colony in 1788. The national flag still has a small British flag on it in the upper left-hand corner.

Australia became independent of the British empire in 1986 but the people there still celebrate the holiday and they do still see the Queen of England as their Monarch. They do many of the same things we do on the 4th of July. There are barbecues, beach parties and cookouts. Remember even though it is winter here it is summer in the southern hemisphere.

(918) 285-5555

Weekly, full-color broadsheet for $50 month!

ANIMAL BALEEN BLOWHOLE BLUE COMMUNICATE DOLPHIN ENDANGERED

ACROSS 2. A small crustacean eaten by whales 3. A unit of weight that equals 2,000 pounds 6. A person having expert knowledge on a scientific topic 8. To share or exchange information 9. A nostril of a whale or dolphin on top of its head 12. To move from one region or habitat to another 13. A living organism that feeds on organic matter 14. An individual animal, plant or single celled life form

DOWN 1. Whalebone 4. A large toothed black and white whale 5. A species of animal or plant that is at risk of going extinct 7. A mark or pattern of marks on an animal 10. A bony permanent outgrowth on animals 11. A large marine mammal 12. A warm blooded animal that has a backbone

is a publication of Cimarron Valley Communications, LLC © 2020, all rights reserved. www.smartypantsnews.com

HORN HUMPBACK KRILL MAMMAL MARINE MARKINGS

How did the octopus make the whale laugh?

MIGRATE OCEAN ORCA ORGANISM SCIENTIST TON WHALES The Aboriginal Australians, or the native people, were on the continent for thousands of years before the British arrived. The indiginous hunters used boomerangs and spears. Scientists say a boomerang ten tickles. found in 1973With is more than 10,000 years old. Just like Native Americans they have their own traditions, language, arts and foods.

What’s a kangaroo’s favorite type of music?

A Whales Life

by Sara Antill

NSORS!!

SPACE FOR SPO

“Clever, beautiful, and educational. We started without a sponsor, simply because it’s that good. It quickly became attractive to advertisers, meaning that we are providing the very best for both our readers and our advertisers that want to reach families, and covering all our costs. Which means, Smartypants made even the Publisher of a small hometown newspaper a little smarter.”

- Jack Mitchell Publisher, Jackson (CA) Ledger Dispatch

Hip hop.

Crossword

Orcas: Animal Abilities

by Anna Claybourne Down 1. A person who rules over a

Baby Whale’s Journey kingdom

by Jonathan London4. Like a play but all the lines are

sung not spoken 5. Groups of people that have lived in one area for thousands of years 6. A group of people who build a settlement in another country 8. A group of mammals that are kown for having babies who live in a pouch 10. A place of historical or cultural importance that is easily identified 12. An underwater structure that is made of millions of tiny animals called polyps 14. An imaginary line around the middle of the planet that separates the northern and southern hemisphere

That’s four (sometimes five) pages a month for only $50 guaranteeing a great ROI!

L K

Help the whale migrate!

Word Search

Australia is home to some of the world’s most amazing and deadly animals. The Great Barrier Reef is home to colorful fish, deadly sharks, sea turtles and whales. On land you will find kangaroos, wombats, camels, and wallabies. The kangaroo is recognized as the national animal. This country is also home to 21 of the top 25 deadliest snakes. Don’t forget to look up in the eucalyptus trees where you will most likely find a Koala munching away at the leaves.

Across

2. A water sport done in the ocean or sea 3. A curved flat piece of wood that can be used for hunting 7. A word used to describe half of the Earth 9. A small furry marsupial that eats eucalyptus leaves and it looks like a bear 11. An island continent that is home to the kangaroo 13. Free from the control of 15. A massive area of land that is separated from others by water or other land formations is a publication of Cimarron Valley Communications, LLC © 2021, all rights reserved. www.smartypantsnews.com

“As independent owners of a community weekly, we felt like we needed to do something to help keep kids’ minds fresh.

We needed to create something — something for them to see and think, ‘this looks fun!’”

- J. D. Meisner Smartypants co-founder

snews.com

www.smartypant

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

21

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 5 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 1,176 - 1,700 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Countywide & Sun

Black Lives Matter Special Section

THIRD PLACE

McIntosh County Democrat

McIntosh County Democrat

Midwest City Beacon

Watonga Republican

Watonga Republican SECOND PLACE

The Cleveland American

THIRD PLACE

Midwest City Beacon

Domestic Violence Awakening THIRD PLACE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Countywide & Sun

FIRST PLACE

Pottawatomie Power

The Cleveland American SECOND PLACE

Countywide & Sun

LAYOUT & DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Midwest City Beacon

Vian Tenkiller News SECOND PLACE

The Cleveland American THIRD PLACE

NEWS STORY

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

Countywide & Sun

Countywide & Sun SECOND PLACE

Tuttle Times

THIRD PLACE

The Cleveland American

FIRST PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

Murder victim tied to Oklahoma cold case SECOND PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

Execution delayed after attorneys contract virus THIRD PLACE

Thomas Martinez The Cordell Beacon

ADVERTISING

First wave of vaccines set to hit

FIRST PLACE

Midwest City Beacon

FEATURE STORY

SECOND PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Watonga Republican THIRD PLACE

Tuttle Times

SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE

The Cleveland American

Hot Summer Fun SECOND PLACE

Vian Tenkiller News Coronavirus Heroes

THIRD PLACE

Watonga Republican

Chalk Your Walk Contest

22

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Shonda Little Beckham County Record The life and death of Staff Sargent Aaron Weaver SECOND PLACE

LaDonna Rhodes McIntosh County Democrat Vietnam veteran’s love letters THIRD PLACE

Thomas Martinez Watonga Republican Living with Tourette’s

SPORTS STORY

SMALL SPACE AD

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Bombers knock off unbeaten Panthers

SECOND PLACE

Jacob Factor Countywide & Sun

4-2 Spring sports seasons canceled THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Thomas Martinez The Cordell Beacon

FIRST PLACE

Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun

A Virtual Santa

Pottawatomie County Votes GOP

Flora Walters The Cordell Beacon

SECOND PLACE

Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun

Injury ends wrestler’s season

Thanks for your service at Woodland Veterans Park

Tecumseh First Assembly drive-thru egg hunt

IN-DEPTH REPORTING

THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

Murder victim tied to Oklahoma cold case

SECOND PLACE

Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun

Tatiana Ryland and Kimberly Jenkins Watonga Republican McCrary Veterinary Hospital

THIRD PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon

Graduation speech filming at Carl Albert

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun

SECOND PLACE

Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun

The Farmer’s Daughter SECOND PLACE

Kimberly Jenkins Watonga Republican

Who’s in charge of the Expo Center

A2Z Auto Parts

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Tatiana Ryland Watonga Republican

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

Cimarron Electric: Hello Spring

Drive-by shooting trial

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon

Midwest City player reaches for touchdown against Carl Albert SECOND PLACE

COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE

Patti Poteete Countywide & Sun

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Rusty Ferguson The Cleveland American THIRD PLACE

Connie Burcham Watonga Republican

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon

Carl Albert’s Kentrell Bizzell runs from Del City tackler THIRD PLACE

Natasha Dunagan Countywide & Sun

SECOND PLACE

Softball player dives for home against Bridge Creek

FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon

Nursing home visit through window SECOND PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon

Rose State student union ribbon cutting THIRD PLACE

Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun

Drive-through testing at three local sites

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Tatiana Ryland Watonga Republican July 29

SECOND PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon June 10

THIRD PLACE

Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun February 27

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

23

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 6 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 900 - 1,175 NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE

SALES PROMOTION

FIRST PLACE

Owasso Reporter

FIRST PLACE

Owasso Reporter

SECOND PLACE

Owasso Reporter

SECOND PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Readers Choice

Wagoner County American-Tribune

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

The Marlow Review

THIRD PLACE

The Fairfax Chief

The Fairfax Chief

Marlow’s historic football season keepsake edition THIRD PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune

PHOTOGRAPHY

Hometown Guide

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE

Owasso Reporter SECOND PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune THIRD PLACE

Mustang News

FIRST PLACE

Owasso Reporter SECOND PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Marlow Review

Staff produced custom masks for school faculty

The Fairfax Chief

SECOND PLACE

The Fairfax Chief

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

ADVERTISING

Owasso Reporter FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Mustang News

SECOND PLACE

Durant Democrat

Mustang News

Trunk Show

THIRD PLACE

Mustang News Grace Home

NEWS STORY FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Matt Swearengin Durant Democrat Sheriff’s deputy laid to rest

THIRD PLACE

The Fairfax Chief

SECOND PLACE

Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review Community events address race relations THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard, Judy Keller and Faith Leatherman The Marlow Review

Active shooter exercise helps agencies prepare

24

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE STORY

SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter

FIRST PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Bows for the Blue: Woman rallies Owasso to support police, fallen Tulsa officer

Town of Fairfax

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Nicole Roberts The Fairfax Chief

First Osage Baptist Church

Streaming stickball skills THIRD PLACE

Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief

Wendy Ponca – our own masked superhero

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 7)

THIRD PLACE

Angie Gentry Bristow News

Happy Birthday Basil Baker

LARGE SPACE AD

SPORTS STORY

FIRST PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

The Christmas Star at Osage Nation Heritage Trail SECOND PLACE

Owen Hutcheson The Fairfax Chief

Variations from Swan Lake THIRD PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Rising of the Milky Way

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

Shawn Hein Owasso Reporter

Senior tribute: Owasso mothers honor athletes after spring season cut short SECOND PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Shawn Hein Owasso Reporter

Isabella Strong: Collinsville child battles cancer, inspires soccer team to title THIRD PLACE

Misti Rinehart, Annette Riherd and Brandi Smith Owasso Reporter Dale & Lee’s Service

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Shawn Hein Owasso Reporter

Angie Gentry Bristow News

Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review

A surprise gift, an “unforgettable” game

IN-DEPTH REPORTING FIRST PLACE

Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief

Hospital bankruptcy and purchase

Western Heritage Days Rodeo THIRD PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Tyler: Happy Howlidays

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter

Joseph Fasano Owasso Reporter May 27

Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton The Fairfax Chief

FIRST PLACE

Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

The Fairfax Chief

Matt Swearengin Durant Democrat

Bruce Hadden The Fairfax Chief THIRD PLACE

Scott Wright Apache News

SECOND PLACE

Racial injustice protest photo essay

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Matt Swearengin Durant Democrat

FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Jim Redwine

Woodland’s spirited softball team leaves for final games

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

Owasso CVS Pharmacy fined $75,000, placed on probation

COLUMN WRITING

SECOND PLACE

Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief

Softball player lands on home base

SECOND PLACE

Wind farm litigation in Osage county

Owasso coach and swimmers cheer during Class 6A east regional

Melanie Allen Owasso Reporter January 8

THIRD PLACE

Joseph Fasano Owasso Reporter June 10

Daughter & children next to OHP Captain Jeff Sewell’s casket THIRD PLACE

Matt Swearengin Durant Democrat

Smoke and flames escape the windows during house fire

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

25

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 7 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 900 NEWS CONTENT

PHOTOGRAPHY

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Altus Times

Minco-Union City Times

SECOND PLACE

Helping Paw

Cushing Citizen

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Eastern Times-Register

The Hinton Record

Ahimsa Rescue Foundation THIRD PLACE

The Hinton Record

FIRST PLACE

Sports Scholarship Offered

Yale News

SECOND PLACE

Minco-Union City Times

NEWS STORY

THIRD PLACE

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Cushing Citizen

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Hinton Record SECOND PLACE

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

Drumright Gusher THIRD PLACE

Eastern Times-Register

Thomas Martinez The Hinton Record

Ice storm causes major damage

Eastern Times-Register

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Allie Prater Yale News

Cushing Citizen THIRD PLACE

Drumright Gusher

Car theft on the rise THIRD PLACE

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

High-efficiency train loading capacity plan show great promise

ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE

Minco-Union City Times

SALES PROMOTION

SECOND PLACE

Eastern Times-Register THIRD PLACE

Cushing Citizen

FIRST PLACE

The Geary Star

Geary Invitational Section SECOND PLACE

Cushing Citizen

Cimarron Christmas THIRD PLACE

Eastern Times-Register School Tabs

26

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE STORY

SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

FIRST PLACE

Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald

FIRST PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Annual fall festival hosted at Martha Valley Farms

Meeker Tiny Cheer blows a kiss

Town of Fairfax

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times Football player carves out her own path in Altus sports

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 6)

Allie Prater Drumright Gusher

First Osage Baptist Church

Homecoming king and queen

THIRD PLACE

Angie Gentry Bristow News

THIRD PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times

THIRD PLACE

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

Happy Birthday Basil Baker

Love for hunting turns into ingenuity

Cattle Stampede at Altus Air Force Base

LARGE SPACE AD

SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times

FIRST PLACE

Comanche finds lastminute replacement for homecoming; ‘Tweet’ success

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

Volleyball player dives to keep the ball in play

SECOND PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times Big house bound; Indians blank Lindsay in season opener, 5-0

SECOND PLACE

Rick Hester Tri-County Herald Bound for state basketball coach hugs player

FIRST PLACE

Tatiana Ryland and Kimberly Jenkins The Geary Star

THIRD PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times

2020 Spring Livestock Show

Kooper Doucet wins Jr. High State in final attempt

SECOND PLACE

Kimberly Jenkins The Geary Star

COLUMN WRITING

Cimarron Electric: So much to celebrate!

FIRST PLACE

THIRD PLACE

J.D. Meisner Cushing Citizen

Tatiana Ryland The Geary Star

SECOND PLACE

Jyl Hobbs Mountain View News

Congratulations Landon Holt

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

THIRD PLACE

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

Navajo softball player at home base against Snyder

FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE

Tatiana Ryland The Hinton Record September 9

SECOND PLACE

Juanita Lewis The Westville Reporter

THIRD PLACE

Allie Prater Cushing Citizen

November 12

THIRD PLACE

Tatiana Ryland The Hinton Record FIRST PLACE

February 19

Allie Prater Drumright Gusher

School bus maintenance before school begins SECOND PLACE

Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald Y-M-C-A boy dancing THIRD PLACE

Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald

Hampshire hog shown in Meeker swine jackpot show

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

27

2020 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER RESULTS NEWS CONTENT

EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE

NEWS STORY

FIRST PLACE

Northwestern News

FIRST PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Zoe Petersen Pioneer Oklahoma City Community College Employees claim college doesn’t protect from bad bosses

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

The Vista

Langston University

University of Central Oklahoma

The Gazette

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian

SECOND PLACE

The Campus

Lea Houston The Gazette

Oklahoma City University

Cameron University

NASA visits Langston THIRD PLACE

Antonice Johnson The Gazette

LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian

Bills, bills, bills

PHOTOGRAPHY FIRST PLACE

FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian

SECOND PLACE

Northwestern News

Citlali Vazquez-Perez Pioneer

SECOND PLACE

Raquel: One woman, millions of stories (English & Spanish translations)

Northwestern News THIRD PLACE

The Gazette

SECOND PLACE

Zoe Petersen Pioneer

Breaking trends: ‘Bomaigii’ woman embraces independence THIRD PLACE

JaNae Williams The Vista

SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian SECOND PLACE

Northwestern News

28

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Remembering Marissa Murrow

SPORTS STORY

NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

FIRST PLACE

Anthony Mellendorf The Vista A three-decade old friendship spurs a new one SECOND PLACE

David Thornton Northwestern News

‘We have a chance:’ Coaches at Northwestern are keeping athletes motivated and conditioned

FIRST PLACE

Stacie Larsen The Cameron University Collegian Straw dam preparation at excavation site

THIRD PLACE

Cambron Alsbrook The Cameron University Collegian Beginning of the end: An interview with Preston ‘Ender_Blade’ Meek

IN-DEPTH REPORTING FIRST PLACE

Nick Dill and Kevin Ford Northwestern News University recycling programs

FIRST PLACE

Charity Whitson The Southeastern Southeastern Oklahoma State University Basketball player at free throw line

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Cici Simon The Vista

Cambron Alsbrook The Cameron University Collegian

Students sit six feet apart while studying in the Nigh

Cameron basketball players in Oklahoma Christian game

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

David Thornton Northwestern News

Na’Tianna Stocker The Gazette

Bob Ross painting event

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH

Langston basketball guard goes up against Texas Wesleyan

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

SECOND PLACE

Leah Darnell and Logan Meriwether Northwestern News COVID-19’s impact on education

FIRST PLACE

COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE

Jordan Green Northwestern News SECOND PLACE

Amanda King The Cameron University Collegian THIRD PLACE

McKayla Holson Northwestern News

Jordan Green Northwestern News October sledding fall SECOND PLACE

Bailey Bussell The Vista

Getting glossed for Glamazon 2020 THIRD PLACE

Lea Killian The Cameron University Collegian Madison Lyda

FIRST PLACE

Na’Tianna Stocker The Gazette October 20

SECOND PLACE

Lea Killian The Cameron University Collegian November 9

THIRD PLACE

Madison Lyda The Cameron University Collegian February 3

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

29

ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2020 ONG EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES WINNER

2020 ONG COLUMN SWEEPSTAKES WINNER

DAVID STRINGER

JENNIFER PITTS

Legislature must stop police bill February 2020

Just Breathe April 2020

2020 OGE DAILY PHOTO OF THE YEAR

2020 OGE WEEKLY PHOTO OF THE YEAR

The Lawton Constitution

SCOTT RAINS

The Lawton Constitution

Countywide & Sun

HALEY HUMPHREY Yukon Review

Lawton firefighters in the bucket of a ladder truck work to contain a fire.

July 2020 A sweet alpaca goes in for a holiday kiss.

December 2020

30

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2020 ONF JOSEPH H. EDWARDS OUTDOOR WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD

2020 ONF RAY LOKEY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING

KELLY BOSTIAN

ASHLYND HUFFMAN

Tulsa World

Stillwater News Press

2020 DIGITAL MEDIA AWARDS DAILY DIVISION

WEEKLY DIVISION

COLLEGE DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The Lawton Constitution

Johnston County Sentinel

SECOND PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

THIRD PLACE

The Shawnee News-Star The Ada News

The Campus

Oklahoma City University

The Purcell Register El Reno Tribune

2020 OPA MAGAZINE CONTEST FIRST PLACE

The Lawton Constitution SECOND PLACE

Muskogee Phoenix THIRD PLACE

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

OPA CONVENTION AWARDS

31

2020 OPA PERFECTA

AWARD WINNERS The Perfecta Award honors OPA member newspapers that achieve 100 percent accuracy on advertising orders from Oklahoma Press Service in the calendar year.

The American (Afton) The Allen Advocate Alva Review-Courier The Anadarko Daily News Apache News The Ardmoreite The Black Chronicle (Oklahoma City) The Boise City News Bristow News Broken Bow News Buffalo Weekly News The Canton Times The Carnegie Herald The Chronicle (Elgin) The Country Connection News (Eakly) The County Times (Lawton) The Chelsea Reporter Choctaw Times Clayton Today Clinton Daily News The Comanche Times The Cordell Beacon Cushing Citizen The Cyril News The Davis News The Delaware County Journal The Dewey County Record Drumright Gusher The Duncan Banner

Eastern Times-Register (Roland) Enid News & Eagle Garvin County News Star Geary Star The Grove Sun Guthrie News Leader Harper County Leader The Healdton Herald Heavener Ledger Henryetta Free-Lance The Hinton Record The Hominy News-Progress The Hooker Advance Hughes County Tribune Hugo News The Kingfisher Times & Free Press Kiowa County Democrat The Konawa Leader The Lindsay News The Lone Grove Ledger Marietta Monitor McIntosh County Democrat McCurtain Gazette The Miami News-Record Midwest City Beacon Minco-Union City Times The Mooreland Leader Mountain View News Muskogee Phoenix Mustang News

Northwest Oklahoman (Arnett) OKC Friday The Okeene Record Okemah News Leader Owasso Reporter Pauls Valley Democrat Pawhuska JournalCapital The Pawnee Chief The Perkins Journal Perry Journal The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette The Prague Times-Herald The Purcell Register The Ringling Eagle Sand Springs Leader Sapulpa Herald The Sentinel Leader The Shawnee News-Star Skiatook Journal Spiro Graphic The Stilwell Democrat Journal Stroud American Sulphur Times-Democrat Tahlequah Daily Press Talihina American The Thomas Tribune The Tonkawa News

Tri-County Herald (Meeker) Tulsa Beacon The Tuttle Times The Valliant Leader Vian Tenkiller News The Vici Vision Vinita Daily Journal The Walters Herald Weatherford Daily News The Wewoka Times The Wilson Post-Democrat The Wynnewood Gazette Yukon Progress Yukon Review

Congratulations to the 2020 Perfecta Award Winners 32

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Every brand is a promise.

BRANDING IMPRESSIONSPRINTING.COM

Creating a logo is just one small step towards developing a strong brand identity. Your brand tells your story. It’s about the services you provide and the message you deliver to your clients. It’s a reflection of your company’s character- a promise.

Let Impressions Printing assist in integrating your company’s brand and cultivating greater recogintion.

OUR BRAND OUR PROMISE

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION 3601 N LINCOLN BLVD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 (405) 499-0020 – 1-888-815-2672 (TOLL FREE IN OK) • WWW.OKPRESS.COM