R-C receives general excellence award

The Record-Courier has been named the best medium-sized weekly in Nevada for the second time in three years by the Nevada Press Association.

"Overall the best traditional newspaper," judges said. "Great cover design, more news than many others, strong photos and editorial, nice ad volume and design."

The Record-Courier competes with other weekly newspapers with circulation of 6,000-19,999.

The newspaper's annual, The Carson Valley Almanac won first place for best editorial special section and second place for advertising.

"The must-have guide for the area; a day in the life stories and photos really make this a speciall issue; very well-planned and produced," judges said.

One of its most popular features, The R-C's editorial page received the first place award from the press association.

"All the entries in this category had good, meaty pages," judges wrote. "Your clean design and crisp editorial writing put your paper in first place."

Recordcourier.com won first place for best newspaper Web site as well.

Record-Courier staffers brought home three first-place awards.

Record-Courier Sports Editor Joey Crandall won first place for best local sports feature. Crandall won third place for best local sports column and for best page designer.

Photographer Shannon Litz dominated the portrait category with a first place and third place. She also received an honorable mention for her photo package on the Xenophobes.

Editor Kurt Hildebrand won first and second place for best information graphics. Hildebrand also designs The R-C's front page which won first place.

News Editor Sheila Gardner won second place for best news feature story for her story headlined "The killer next door."

"Really two stories in one; lived in the Valley 24 years " and agrees to return to Colorado," judges wrote. "The first paints a picture of the 'guy next door' and the second of his earlier crimes. Both are excellently written and seem to jump right out of last night's television fantasy programming. Great details and lots of color."

Gardner also received honorable mention for "Dogs of Gabbs."

Hildebrand also received an honorable mention for best editorial writing.

The Record-Courier last received the top award in 2006. It came in third in 2007.