The Parksville Qualicum Beach News has once again been nominated for an award as one of the best community newspapers in B.C.
The NEWS is up against fellow nominees the Yukon News and the New Westminster Record in the General Excellence category for the 2014 Ma Murray Awards, the Oscars if you will for B.C.-Yukon community newspapers. The winners will be announced at a gala in Richmond on April 25.
Reporter Candace Wu also earned a nomination for a writing award in the Environmental Initiative category for her story about derelict boats in Deep Bay.
The NEWS has been in the top three of its circulation category for General Excellence for the past four years, earning gold in 2010 and 2012 and silver in 2011 and 2013.
"While our readers remain our focus, it's encouraging to be acknowledged by our peers in the General Excellence category — the Best Picture award in Oscar parlance," said NEWS editor John Harding. "And the Deep Bay derelict boats story highlighted an important issue that Wu presented with balance and flair. She has become a young journalist to watch in B.C."