Community-centric works shine at newspaper banquet

DES MOINES — The Creston News Advertiser’s newsroom celebrated another successful year at the Iowa Newspaper Association convention Thursday night in Des Moines.

The CNA placed in the top-three in eight awards, with the Adair County Free Press placing in two and the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune in one. Of these 11, the team won four overall.

“I am very proud of our editorial team and what they have accomplished. Their hard work and dedication to all of the communities we serve was certainly honored this year at the Iowa Newspaper Convention,” General Manager Craig Mittag said. “In my nearly 25 years with Creston Publishing Company, this year was one of our most successful evenings at the annual awards banquet.”

Pieces must have been published between Sept. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025. This year’s material was judged by members of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. The CNA, ACFP and OST submitted stories and photos in the editorial, photography and writing categories. In general, editorial looks at overall coverage and content, while photography and writing focus on specific pieces of work.

First-place awards

CNA News Reporter Nick Pauly took the first win of the night in Best Breaking News Photo with his picture of a East Clark Street house fire on Jan. 23, 2025.

“These photographs truly capture the heartache of losing a home to a fire,” the judges wrote.

The fire started due to an unextinguished cigarette left on the front porch of the residence, igniting the south side of the house. No injuries were reported.

The second win was also by Pauly with Best News Feature Story for his article “Watching the ebb and flow,” an article focusing on the retirement of mail carrier Mark Evans. Evans retired on Feb. 27, 2025, after almost 33 years dedicated to the postal service.

“Outstanding writing and community focus that gives a glimpse into the life of a respected mailman,” judges wrote in the notes.

CNA Editor Cheyenne Roche also took a first-place award home, this one in the Best Sports Feature Story category. The article “‘CPR and the AED saved his life’” told the story of Creston student-athlete Nate Bentley, who had to be revived after collapsing at a track meet on April 8, 2025.

“Dramatic telling of a frightening health emergency and those who helped ensure a positive outcome,” judges wrote. “The story delivers on so many levels, not the least of which is the importance of AED availability. Great job of talking with a wide variety of sources to tell the complete story.”

The final win of the night was ACFP Editor Caleb Nelson’s Best Series. Nelson’s first-place works focused on March’s Music in Our School Month.

“This is a strong series focusing on the importance of music. I like how the writer recognizes how music plays an important role in our lives and likely has more influence on the greater population than sports ever will,” judges wrote. “Nice use of quotes throughout the story and finding interesting things to share about the subjects. Solid writing!”

Other awards

Nelson also took third in Best Series for his articles on Nodaway Valley’s new superintendent, Pam Stangeland.

“Nice effort in bringing to life the school’s new superintendent in two parts,” judges wrote. “The school is the lifeblood of most communities and needs to be treated as such.”

For the third year in a row, Roche and CNA News Clerk Mandy McDowell placed in the top three for the Harrison “Skip” Weber Coverage of Court and Crime award, this year taking third.

Stories by CNA News Reporters Erin Henze and Pauly brought the CNA a second-place award in the Coverage of Government and Politics.

“Overall, reporting is consistent and illustrates multiple sides to each issue without editorializing. Quotes are chosen well, and highlight various parties’ stances, and context is provided to readers,” judges said. They highlighted an article featuring numerous public forum quotes from the city council meeting in which funding for Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center was approved. “The public comments section in entry No. 4 is not one I see done often, but does balance the otherwise public official-heavy article.”

Other top-three awards included Roche placing second in Top Sports Columnist, Roche and Pauly placing second and third, respectively, in Master Columnist and OST Editor Candra Brooks placing third in Best Continuing Coverage regarding wind turbines in Clarke County. Columnists were applauded for their ability to cover a variety of topics, while Brooks was congratulated for her “solid reporting on an issue that remains top of mind for so many residents.”