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The Free Press brings home gold to Fernie and The Elk Valley

The Free Press has again been recognized as the top newspaper in its circulation category.
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The Free Press team with their Ma Murray Newspaper Excellence award. (Left to right) Black Rock News reporter

The Free Press has again been recognized as the top newspaper in its circulation category by the British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspapers Association (BCYCNA).

At the 2012 BCYCNA Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards gala held at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond on Saturday (April 12), The Free Press walked away with first place in "Newspaper Excellence" for newspapers with our circulation.

The North Island Gazette and the Hope Standard placed second and third, respectively.

"Packed with community news, the Free Press offers a broad balance of stories, from ski weekends to strikes to an unexplained death," stated the BCYCNA. "The manner in which they covered the Kienan kidnapping showed the paper’s understanding of the role of media in a small community. Without being intrusive or sensational, they reported the homecoming of the child."

Judging of the Newspaper Excellence category takes into account editorial content, photography and production, and advertising.

Editor Angela Treharne and Publisher Dave Hamilton were at the awards to pick up the trophy.

The Free Press won the same award in 2010.

This year's Ma Murray awards mark the 90th year the BCYCNA has recognized the efforts of its member newspapers throughout British Columbia and the Yukon.

The awards, named after British Columbia's first female newspaper publisher, cover all aspects of the newspaper industry including production, publishing, reporting, editing, advertising, photography, website design and community contribution.