Appeal named best intermediate newspaper

The Nevada Appeal was named the best intermediate publication by the Nevada Press Association at its annual convention in Las Vegas on Saturday.“Great local coverage and local art, wonderful organization,” judges wrote. “This is a well-planned product that serves readers and it clearly shows. Great job.”The Appeal competes against other small dailies and large weeklies.The Appeal was also recognized for best overall design and page one design.Appeal photographers Shannon Litz and Jim Grant’s coverage of Nevada Day won for best multiple photo essay.Former Editor Dennis Noone’s editorial was named the best in the state.Nevada Appeal columnist Guy Farmer won for best non-staff column. Nevada Appeal special section designer Rob Fair won first place for his work on the Northern Nevada Health Director.Several newspapers in Sierra Nevada Media Group compete in the same category.Lahontan Valley News Editor Steve Ranson was named the state’s outstanding weekly journalist.The Fallon newspaper brought in several prestigious awards, including community service, best spot news story for coverage of the Amtrak crash. The LVN swept the category. Ranson also won first place awards for best business news story, best business feature, best explanatory journalism and best local column.Ranson and designer Michael Higdon won for best page designers. Thomas Ranson won the award for best sports column.Sierra Sun reporter Amy Edgett brought home a first place award for best feature story, while Sun reporter Jason Shueh won for best news feature story.Lake Tahoe Action editor Tim Parsons won first place for best entertainment writing. Higdon also won a first place for best illustration.Record-Courier Editor Kurt Hildebrand won first place for best multi-media story and best information graphic. The R-C also brought home first place for best editorial page.