The Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News remains one of the top three best small town newspapers in the country, according to News Media Canada.
The national organization announced its Canadian Community Newspaper Awards in September with the Westerly hauling in five trophies, including a third place finish in the General Excellence category marking its third consecutive appearance in the top three.
“Great photos by Andrew Bailey; congrats!” read the judges’ comment.
Westerly editor Andrew Bailey earned first place in the Best Feature Story category for his story Beloved Ucluelet vessel goes down in flames.
“This is a rare treat—a hard news story that becomes a true feature through the depth of research and telling both the story and the story behind it in the same piece. Great job!” read the judge’s comment.
Bailey also earned second place honours in Best Business Writing for his coverage of Ucluelet council adopting new bed and breakfast bylaws.
The Westerly received second place for Best Coverage of the Arts for Bailey’s wide ranging work covering the West Coast’s dynamic arts scene.
“Excellent focus on community,” the judges wrote.
The Westerly also earned third place for Best Editorial page.
Bailey, who arrived at the Westerly News as a reporter in January 2012 and became the newspaper’s editor in 2015, said the accolades belong to the people who fill the West Coast with vibrant and unique stories to share.
“I am so very privileged to live and work here and it is an honour beyond words to share this region’s stories. It is lovely to be recognized nationally for our work, but the Westerly’s 2023 CCNA awards are much more a reflection of the people being written about than the writer,” he said.
“From unflappable mariners, to inspiring local artists to steadfast politicians and those who vehemently disagree with them, these awards reflect the diverse strength of the people whose stories we share; those who carve our region into the paradise we all work and scrape so hard to live in.”
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