Awards

Miles Turnbull Master Editor/Publisher Award

The WNPA Board of Trustees created the Master Editor/Publisher Award in 1993 to honor an active editor or publisher who has worked hard and unselfishly and made a significant contribution to his or her newspaper, community and state, as well as to WNPA. Selection criteria also include service to a free press or freedom of information and to the cause of community newspapers.

In 1994 the Board of Trustees renamed the award in recognition of Miles Turnbull, who died during that year. Miles was a quintessential community newspaper publisher, a past president of WNPA and former WNPA executive director.

The award includes a plaque and a WNPA $500 donation to the charity of the recipient's choice. A companion plaque showing all recipients hangs in the WNPA office.

PAST HONOREES

  • 2007 John L. Fournier Jr., publisher, Prosser Record-Bulletin, Grandview Herald
  • 2006 Ted Grossman, editor, The Islands' Sounder, Eastsound
  • 2005 Scott Wilson, publisher, The Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader
  • 2004 No award
  • 2003 Deborah L. Berto, publisher, The Issaquah Press
  • 2002 No award
  • 2001 Jerry Robinson, Robinson Newspapers
  • 2000 Jane Meyer, general manager, Mercer Island Reporter
  • 1999 Thomas C. Taylor, publisher, The Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor
  • 1998 James Flint, publisher, The Toppenish Review, Wapato Independent
  • 1997 Jeffrey G. Fletcher, publisher, The Grant County Journal, Ephrata
  • 1996 Henry G. Gay, publisher, The Shelton-Mason County Journal
  • 1995 John E. Andrist, co-publisher, The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle
  • 1994 Frank W. Garred, co-publisher, The Port Townsend-Jeffersonn County Leader

Dixie Lee Bradley Award

Dixie Lee Bradley served members for 45 years as associate director of WNPA. This award, conceived in 1996, symbolizes her devotion to and passion for community newspapers. It recognizes newspaper staff members who work long and hard, often behind the scenes, to see that the best possible community newspaper is produced and distributed each week.

Among the selection criteria is a demonstrated record of consistent, quality work over a considerable time period in any facet of the community newspaper industry, from production and circulation through front office support. Staff members in positions such as photographer and advertising sales are not eligible because these people can be recognized in WNPA's Better Newspaper Contest.

Winners receive an engraved clock and a cash prize of $500. The nominating newspaper and WNPA each contribute $250 to the award.

PAST HONOREES

  • 2007 Rhonda Dicksion, Monroe Monitor/Valley News
  • 2005 Marilyn Bardin, Methow Valley News, Twisp
  • 2004 Betty Grewell, The Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader
  • 2001 Renné Duke, Monroe Monitor/Valley News
  • 2000 JoAnn Anderson, Cashmere Valley Record
  • 1998 Nellie Williams, Whidbey News-Times, Oak Harbor
  • 1997 Elizabeth Widel, The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle

Freedom's Light Award
The Freedom's Light was created by Washington Newspaper Publishers Association in 1995 to honor individuals who have protected or advanced the First Amendment in Washington state, a critical aspect of which is access to public information.

The award recognizes a person who has been unwavering in his or her support and practice of the First Amendment. It honors someone who not only believes in the freedom of the press, but who has worked hard and consistently to protect and advance it.

It has been presented to a journalist and an attorney, and many elected officials who have devoted their careers to protecting public access to government proceedings.

PAST HONOREES

  • 2007 Lynn Kessler, State Representative, Hoquiam
  • 2007 Rob McKenna, Washington Attorney General
  • 2006 Toby Nixon, State Representative, Kirkland
  • 2005 No award given
  • 2004 Judge C. Kenneth Grosse, Washington Court of Appeals
  • 2003 Ronal Serpas, Chief, Washington State Patrol
  • 2002 Adam Kline, State Senator, Seattle
  • 2001 Clyde Ballard, Speaker of the House
  • 2000 Brian Sonntag, State Auditor
  • 1999 Michael Killeen, Davis Wright Tremaine
  • 1998 Walt C. Woodward, former publisher and editor, Bainbridge Island Review
  • 1997 Former U.S. House Speaker Thomas Foley
  • 1996 Retired Chief Justice James A. Andersen
  • 1995 Cal Anderson, State Senator, Seattle