Jefferson Herald lands state newspaper awards

Staff report
DES MOINES — The Jefferson Herald’s coverage of agriculture and education was named best in the state in its newspaper class Friday by the Iowa Newspaper Association, and veteran Bee and Herald ad manager Deb Geisler was honored with the INA’s Distinguished Service Award.

In receiving the Distinguished Service Award at the 2017 INA Convention in Des Moines — one of the most prestigious awards given to Iowa newspaper professionals — Geisler was called a “staunch advocate for local businesses through her role with the newspaper and involvement in community projects.”

“As a catalyst for projects and ideas,” Geisler’s nomination read, “her good-natured humor and positive outlook make the work enjoyable while her leadership makes it successful.”

A Greene County native and resident of Churdan, Geisler has been ad manager at the Bee and Herald since 1993.

Each year, the INA showcases the best work being done at Iowa’s newspapers at an awards banquet at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel.

Herald Editor Andrew McGinn and reporter Matt Rezab took first place for their coverage of education, with judges singling out McGinn’s coverage of September’s school bond defeat, noting a “wonderfully creative lede for what could have been another boring election story.”

In the newspaper’s first-place award for coverage of agriculture, judges wrote, “Andrew McGinn’s distinctive, colorful writing style brings a unique flair to his agricultural coverage.”

The Herald also brought home first and second place awards for best newspaper marketing.

McGinn received second place in the best personality feature story category.

The Herald’s use of social media and its coverage of court and crime also garnered second-place finishes.

The work was judged by members of the Colorado Press Association.

The Herald was judged against other weekly newspapers with circulations of 1,801 and above.