Community Service and Public Service Awards
Community Service (for Community newspapers)
First Place: The Smoky Mountain News, Waynesville

Hospital in Crisis
This coverage exemplifies the best qualities of journalist community service: dogged commitment to facts and fairness, inclusive voices from all stake holders, persistence despite obstacles from those in power. Strong reporting and writing. Great work!

Second Place: Mooresville Tribune, Mooresville

Cops for Kids
Strong use of public records, solid ongoing coverage and partnership with local blogger make this work stand out. Writing is clear and well organized. Commendable effort.

Third Place: The Wake Weekly, Wake Forest

Wake Forest Centennial
Very good use of multiple elements - online timeline, photos and words. Strong storytelling throughout! Great example of staffwide enterprise.

Public Service (for Daily newspapers)
First Place: The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte
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The Cruelest Cuts
A comprehensive and elegantly structured report, carefully thought out, in a clean writing style with no wasted moves. The Spanish version was an especially nice effort to reach many of the victims of poultry company abuse - a way to let them know the Observer was their fierce advocate.

 

Second Place: The News & Observer, Raleigh

Mental Disorder
A stirring account of how reform poorly conceived and poorly executed harms the very people it intended to help. The News & Observer didn't stop when the series was finished, but kept reporting throughout the year to make sure needed change was not ignored.

Third Place: The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville

What Lies Beneath
An important series that shows the power the Observer wields on behalf of it's community. Clear dramatic design and impressive graphics amplify the astonishing revelations of the reporting staff. The citizens of Fayetteville should be very proud of their paper.