Journal-Eureka claims seven awards in 2025 Iowa Newspaper Association contest
The Journal-Eureka staff attend the Iowa Newspaper Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest in Des Moines Feb. 6. From left, Advertisement Manager Kara Honn, Graphic Designer Danielle Potkonak and Editor Laura Drummy.
The Journal-Eureka (JE) earned seven awards in the annual Iowa Newspaper Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were handed out at the annual banquet in Des Moines, Feb. 6.
The JE came home with two first-place awards, one second-place award and four third-place awards.
Community Leadership
First Place: Laura Drummy, Daryl Schepanski and Chris Nelson
Judge’s Comment: “Local newspapers are important and the community realized the importance! Great story!”
Best Web Advertisement
First Place: Kara Honn and Danielle Potkonak
Best Feature Story
Second Place: Laura Drummy
Judge’s Comment: “Readers gravitate toward good news articles. What an amazing story about a tremendous amount of money raised and given away by youth.”
Coverage of Government and Politics
Third Place: Laura Drummy
Judge’s Comment: “Good use of front page with the selection of stories. The opinion pages are easy to read and good use of graphics.”
Coverage of Education
Third Place: Laura Drummy
Judge’s Comment: “Great back to school newspaper-also excellent coverage of a variety of subjects”
Best News Feature Photo
Third Place: Laura Drummy
Judge’s Comment: “A lot to take in with this photo. As a veteran, it really struck home.”
Best Photographer
Third Place: Laura Drummy
Judge’s Comment: “A bit heavy in Fair photos but all are technically beautiful. Little boy looking up especially nice. Plane over field and old barn good also. Lots of color and excitement.”
The Journal-Eureka competes in Weekies Class II, which includes publications that are published once weekly and have a circulation of 756 to 1,260. This class is the second-largest for publications. This year's contest entries were judged by the Kansas Press Association.
Best News Feature Photo: The United States Army presents Jean Rekemeyer of Anamosa, her uncle Raymond Schlamp’s flag.
Best Photographer Photo: On March 10, Daylight Saving Time started, where clocks were set ahead one hour to extend the amount of daylight in the evening. This yearly event promotes energy savings and outdoor activities during warmer months.
Best Photographer Photo: The Wyoming Fair brought a new event this year: mutton busting. Many kids from young pages tried their best to hang on as long as they could with some guidance from officials.
Best Photographer Photo: Springville American Legion Post Commander Joe Heyer drops the retired American flags into a burn barrel during the Flag Disposal Presentation.
Best Photographer Photo: With a bashful grin, Ryder Fellinger, 4, of Hopkinton, tells the judge about his goat during the Kiddie Goat and Sheep show July 17.
Best Photographer Photo: While waiting to show their bucket bottle calves, Oaklyn Schwartz, 3, of Lowden, hangs out with her cousin Breanna Rushford,5, of Center Junction.
Best Photographer Photo: Steven Miner, of Monticello, takes in the view from his John Deere along County Road X-31.
Best Photographer Photo: The rural roads of Jones County are adorned with vibrant wildflowers this time of year. The delicate Pale Purple Coneflower, an iconic prairie plant species in Iowa, is in full bloom, painting the ditches with its mesmerizing hues, including Milkweed, Chicory, Gray-Headed Coneflower, and an array of other wildflowers.
Best Photographer Photo: Standing above the crowd, a farmer and his flower walk the midway at the Jones County Fair.
Best Photographer Photo: Wylan Cuesta, a 4-year-old from Center Junction, excitedly released his vibrant red Hot Wheels car down the winding BluTrack, engaging in a thrilling matchbox-style race with Anamosa Police Officer Derek Kunkel. Their friendly competition took place during the National Night Out event on Aug. 6th, an evening of fun-filled activities, interactions with local police officers of the community and a local resource fair.
Best Photographer Photo: Crop dusters start their yearly spraying of fungicide and insecticide from above to assist local farmers in safeguarding their crops. The fast-moving aircraft were observed in mid-July and will continue to fly at low altitudes until early August.
