The Chilliwack Progress brought home gold from the BC and Yukon newspaper awards on the weekend.
For the second year in a row, The Progress finished in the top of its class in overall excellence, edging the Langley Times and the Penticton Western News.
“Balance is its greatest strength,” said the judges. “In every category, The Progress is strong, credible and very hard to beat.”
Also winning gold this year was Eric Welsh. His story of a young man’s flight from a refugee camp in Uganda to soccer prominence in Canada topped the sports writing category.
“A fantastic story about discipline, dedication, perseverance and wonder,” said the judges.
In the photography category, Paul Henderson brought home silver for spot news for his vivid portrait an overdose caught on Chilliwack streets.
“The photographer places us right in the middle of an emergency in a picture that very ably demonstrates the real core of an epidemic social issue,” the judges said.
It was also a silver evening for Progress editor Greg Knill, who, along with 12 other recipients, was presented the Silver Quill award, recognizing more than 25 years in the newspaper industry.
The Progress was one of several Black Press media organizations honoured at the gala awards night. In all, Black Press earned 66 awards, including 12 awards in the new digital category.