Nevada Press Foundation honors the LVN

The Lahontan Valley News picked up a pair of first-place wins at the recently held Nevada Press Foundation’s awards banquet in Las Vegas.
The LVN competes in the rural division which consists of Nevada newspapers published no more than four times weekly.
Thomas Ranson won first place in Multiple Photo Essay or Gallery for his display of events held during the 2021 Greenwave homecoming.
Judge’s comment: Great variety of good quality images, including action and emotion. Gives the reader a good feel for the night.
On the editorial side, columnist Jeannette Strong won the top honor in Local Column. Her By the Way column, which over a local view on issues both local and national issues, has appeared in the LVN for more than 15 years.
Judge’s Comment: Well written column with salient and well-argued points.
The LVN also earned three second-place wins. Retied editor Steve Ranson’s article on remembering the late Valerie Serpa, “A Standing Ovation,” reflected on the legacy of the Churchill Arts Council ‘s executive dirtier who died Dec. 5, 2021, in a small airplane crash in Oregon.
Ranson’s column consisted of reflections of the late Anne Pershing who was editor of the LVN from 1987-2002 and the importance of the Churchill County High School’s all-community reunion.
Thomas Ranson had a second place in Feature Photo, “Classmates encouraged to take chances” and another second place for an emotional Sports Spot News Story, “Athletes, coaches remember Orong’s impact with Greenwave.”
Judge’s Comment: The decision to focus the story not just on Coach Orong but on former athletes as well was an interesting narrative choice that served to drive home the coach’s impact on the community. That choice only worked because the reporter put in the leg work necessary to interview a substantial number of sources who could speak to the coach’s legacy.
Steve Ranson was award third place in three categories: “Political-Government reporting, Residents upset with changes at senior center;” Breaking News, “NTSB investigates cause of plane crash;” and Business Spot News Story, “Frey Ranch earns double-double.”
In Sports Photo, Thomas Ranson was awarded third place for a photograph in “Armbruster’s 4TDs lead Fallon over Lowry” and David Henley completed a three-place sweep with his third-place My Turn column.
The LVN received third place in General Excellence: Steve Ranson, Thomas Ranson, Adam Trumble, Kyler Klix, Lauren Solinger and Rick Hoover.
“Judge’s Comment: I like the weather page info and layout. I like the history (100/75/50 years ago). A great and detailed story by Steve Ranson in the 2/2/22 edition “Navy & Baseball: An American Tradition.” A good and colorful Chamber of Commerce page as well. Love the glossy wrap on the Veterans Day edition, especially the back page! Good local sports sections and full color throughout, good to see! Good photo layout throughout as well i.e. Soroptimist Home & Garden Show.”
Another third place came in Overall Design, Kyler Klix and Lauren Solinger.
Five new members and one existing member of the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame were officially inducted into the group, which already includes two former Nevada governors, the first woman to report on the Nevada Legislature, Hank Greenspun and Mark Twain.
Former Las Vegas Review-Journal editor Thomas Mitchell, who has originally inducted in 2020, finally had an opportunity to accept the honor in person. The 2020 Nevada Press Association convention was canceled due to COVID.
Mitchell’s brief acceptance speech was followed by addresses from three Las Vegas-area journalists — sports reporter Steve Carp, retired Review-Journal reporter and columnist Jane Ann Morrison and the recently retired Associated Press editor Tom Tait.
Mark Brown and Stephanie Brown accepted the honor on behalf of their father Bob Brown, the late founder and publisher of the Las Vegas Valley Times. The event concluded with Review-Journal editor columnist Steve Sebelius’ moving acceptance on behalf of his recently slain colleague Jeff German.