Advertiser Democrat wins awards

NORWAY — The Advertiser Democrat has won two awards from the Maine Press Association for outstanding journalism.

The Advertiser's seven-part series analyzing the potential impact of the Oxford casino on the community won a First Place for best Series. The series, which provided an objective analysis of the pros and cons of the casino, was co-written by Editor A.M. Sheehan, and Assistant Editor Matt Hongoltz-Hetling.

Hongoltz-Hetling also won a First Place award for Best Investigative Story for his article "Tangled web between casino, ag. association," about the sale of a racetrack from the Oxford County Agricultural Society (OCAS) to Black Bear Entertainment (BBE), with both groups sharing executive members.

At the time of their publication, both pieces received statewide attention and recognition as outstanding examples of the type of journalism that is usually accomplished only by larger news organizations with better resources.

The New Hampshire Press Association judged the entries and determined the winners.

The award-winners were honored at a dinner held by the Maine Press Association on October 16 in Northport.