There is always stiff competition at the annual OCNA awards, which cover 48 categories of reporting at weekly newspapers across the province, from news and sports through layout and design.

Chris Fanning’s editorial, “Without a Plan,” concerning the Ontario Government’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation, was nominated for a prize in the Environment category.

Karen Valihora’s “Arts of Adaptation” was nominated for a prize for Arts & Entertainment writing. The feature story on the inaugural County Adaptation Film Festival explains what adaption is and how it works by exploring some of the films on offer at the festival.

Her editorial, “No License Required,” which explores Picton Terminals’ alleged operation of an unofficial and unlicensed rock quarry under cover of developing a shipping port, earned an honourable mention for Best Investigative News Story. This is a story the Gazette has continued to follow, and which has garnered wider media attention.

Jason Parks’s Catastrophic Fire on the Adolphus Reach won two nominations, for Best Spot News Photo and for Best Online Journalism, a new category. Jason’s vivid photograph of a rapidly spreading house fire on remote Treasure Cove Lane reflected quick thinking, dedication and delicacy. Keenly aware of the necessity of letting the firefighers do their work, he was also able to seize and define the moment.

The second nomination recognizes the unique nature of online journalism: much of this story broke minute by minute and image by image on the Picton Gazette Facebook page. Jason’s report on the devastating fire began on Facebook on Friday 5 January 2024, as the fire was underway. This post received over 161 shares, and clarifications from Jason in the comments. An update was issued on the Picton Gazette website on 8 January.

Because of Facebook’s ban on Canadian news, the Gazette could no longer access the link to the original Facebook reporting. We were lucky, however, to have an American correspondent who was still able to access Jason’s posts; she provided screenshots of the original Facebook post to the awards committee.

The Gazette team is pleased to be recognized for its coverage of different kinds of issues and different forms of reporting. We are proud to represent the County in this province-wide competition.

First, second and third place winners will be announced during the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Awards Dinner on April 11 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.