Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Balaton - Press Tribune Entry Title: Finding a New Normal Entry Credit: Jenny Kirk Judge Comment: An interesting look at what happens to many small businesses. The story shows how a local business is affected when a key enterprise changes. The writer interviewed several people for the story, and it was presented in a fair and attention-getting way. Some good information, such as the milking machines and needing to enlarge.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Cloquet - Pine Knot News Entry Title: Apple tree guy Entry Credit: Timothy Soden-Groves Judge Comment: He may not have started out as a tree guy, but he became one and also advanced into a second business. He has an interesting way of doing some business and provides service, information, and a friendly way of meeting people. His continued customers loves his business. He sees things and turns them into business.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Henderson Independent Entry Title: CSA farms get a boost from COVID Entry Credit: Rachel Miller Judge Comment: A most interesting story on how local farmers are selling home-grown vegetables with people buying to obtain regular trips to the the farmers. And much of this is caused by a boost from COVID. The vegetables are organic and grown by the farmers. Story has clear readability, content, impact and local importance.
Competition Comment: Some well-written stories and many contained a wide variety of information. Several, including the winners, had key points in the stories. It was a pleasure reading them.
