Hardin County Independent wins two awards in 2021 SIEA Better Newspaper Contest

 

 

2021 Christmas photo of sisters, Heather Rash and Jennifer Rash Lane, who run the Independent. Heather and Jennifer are daughters of former editor/publisher Julia Hurford Farley and granddaughters of former editor/publisher Noel E. Hurford and wife Betty. — Desi McBee photo.

By Jennifer Lane
Editor/Publisher

In March 2021, I entered the Hardin County Independent in the Southern Illinois Editorial Association (SIEA) Better Newspaper Contest for a second year in a row.
In mid-October I received a package from SIEA with two awards included. Heather and I were pretty excited and surprised to see that we placed again.

The Hardin County Independent was judged in the Pull Contest. In the Pull competition, newspapers are separated out into four circulation divisions. The Independent fell in the Small Weeklies division and our efforts were judged in six categories.

This year we received 1st Place in Best Use of Photography and Honorable Mention in Newspaper Design. The Independent was judged on the submission of the February 13, 2020 issue, and a week of our choice, July 16, 2020.

Last year, the Hardin County Independent placed in these four categories: BEST LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE – FIRST PLACE; ADVERTISING EXCELLENCE – 3RD PLACE; NEWSPAPER DESIGN – HONORABLE MENTION; and BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY – HONORABLE MENTION.
Thanks for supporting this local, long running newspaper in its 151st (almost 152nd) year of service.
For a full list of winners, see below.