Best of Adams 2023 by Adams Publishing Group

BEST OF

ADAMS 2023

A Collection Of Outstanding Work From Newsrooms Across The Nation

TABLE OF CONTENTS DATA & INVESTIGATIONS........................ 4 Work that is revelatory and requires numerous sources, including interviews, documents, data and, often, the culmination of coverage over time.

SPECIAL REPORTS..................................... 5 Content initiatives that are introduced outside of the daily journalism portfolio. This work generally is planned as a standalone and ad hoc initiative around a topic of high importance in the community.

LOCAL ENTERPRISE...................................6 Issue-based coverage that adds context, perspective, explanation and, sometimes, analysis around local news. This work should help readers understand what’s at stake and why they should care about the issue in focus.

LOCAL NEWS ..............................................8 Work that demonstrates a commitment to informing readers on happenings in the community, however big or small. The proverbial “bread and butter” of our journalism portfolio.

FEATURES.................................................. 10 Compelling storytelling that is celebratory or reflective, introducing new local places, people or ideas, giving the reader a sense of place and a chance to better realize what’s unique about their community.

EDITORIALS...............................................12 The news organization’s official voice on community issues and happenings. The best editorials are of local relevance, state the position clearly, concisely and assertively, and are related to issues the local team has covered so that readers go into the piece with context and facts.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS............................. 13 Beat coverage, features, profiles and enterprise on sports topics, from Little League to professional play.

ADAMSPG.COM

BEST OF ADAMS 2023

OUR ‘BEST’ PUTS A UNIQUE LENS ON THE STORY OF NATION’S COMMUNITIES

Identifying our “best” is a subjective and fascinating assignment. Who’s doing the picking? What are their standards and their styles? What are the circumstances, the challenges, the resources, the opportunities involved? Across our industry there are awards programs that recognize the best, with prizes for those who meet specific standards. There are various qualitative critiques and a growing number of quantitative tools that can identify our “best” journalism. Indeed, APG has its own contests and cash award recipients will be recognized later this month. What I love about the Best of Adams showcase, however, is that editors across the company are tasked with entering two pieces of journalism that represent their newsroom’s best work. It’s always fun to discover what rises to the top in each editor’s assessment of a year’s portfolio. Some editors put forth work that demonstrates dogged pursuit of information and skillful navigation of public documentation and source development. Other editors send in beautifully told feature stories. In the end, we’re left with more than 150 pieces that are a unique lens on life in small- and medium-size communities across the U.S. Beach towns and mountain towns, shore towns, college towns, state capitals and a big chunk of the Midwest. It was a pleasure to read all the 2023 submissions, and these pages highlight several of them. I do have a few favorites, even among these bests.

• Work that is revelatory and evokes community action: Idaho State Journal’s package by Shelbie Harris, which uncovered failed inspections and alarm problems that were documented prior to a devastating fire at a local high school.

• Stories that deliver a strong sense of place: There are several examples of this throughout the showcase, but one that was particularly well done was from the Emmett Messenger Index in Idaho. Del Gray told the story of how a community came together to help an ailing farmer with the harvest, despite difficult workloads on their own farms.

• Urgency around a national story: Kudos to the southern Wisconsin journalists for impressive hustle and teamwork

following an 85-car pileup on a major interstate in the Janesville/Beloit area. Overcoming challenges with accessing the scene, the news team posted 66 updates in the nine hours after the event.

Please take some time to follow the links to some of these stories from your colleagues. This showcase presents journalism taken out of its original context, borrowed from the communities it serves and curated into a collection representing the APG network’s strength on the local news landscape.

Traci Bauer APG Vice President of Content

TO VIEW ALL STORIES, VISIT ADAMSPG.COM/Best/Of2023.

ADAMSPG.COM

DATA & INVESTIGATIONS

BEST OF ADAMS 2023

A gate with a camera and power box sits about 750 feet off of the road, barring the way to property purchased by Seth Jeffs, a significant figure in the FLDS. The purchase and what neighbors describe as significant construction have raised eyebrows in Dunn County. Staff Photo by Branden Nall EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN

Land Purchase Raises Concern In Dunn County A strange, seemingly unlikely tip that a high-ranking member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had bought land in neighboring Dunn County turned out to be true. The L-T was able to confirm the purchases and the person behind them, as well as illustrate why the actions raised concerns. Matt Milner’s article traced the member’s prior entanglements with the courts as well as prior efforts to expand into Minnesota before landing in Wisconsin. Interviews with neighbors fleshed out the issue, and comments from local authorities illustrated the level of official concern. More at Leader-Telegram

POCATELLO, IDAHO

Failed Fire Inspection, Alarm Problems Among Issues Documented At Highland High School Prior To Devastating Blaze An investigation by Deputy Editor Shelbie Harris revealed failed fire inspections and a variety of other safety issues at Highland High School prior to a devastating blaze there. Shelbie’s coverage resulted in great public outcry including the defeat of a bond regarding Highland as well as the election of a reform-minded candidate to the school board. More at Idaho State Journal

LA PLATA, MARYLAND

Nearly 1,400 School, Sheriff’s Office And Government Workers Top $100,000 Salaries This comprehensive story along with multiple sidebars reveals the hundreds of county employees whose salaries top $100,000 per year in the tri-county region. Southern Maryland News submitted public information requests to nine county agencies for lists of everyone who makes $100,000 or more in Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. All told, there were 1,390 publicly paid employees who topped that salary amount. Along with full lists of the employees there are graphs and other information presented with the story on the website as well as in the March 17, 2023, print edition. A reporting team effort by Marty Madden, Darryl Kinsey Jr., and Jesse Yeatman More at Southern Maryland News

ADAMSPG.COM

SPECIAL REPORTS BEST OF ADAMS 2023

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 | 1

A SEASON TO REMEMBER A special section to commemorate Anacortes High School’s first state football championship

INSIDE • The quarterback, 2 • The dynamic duo, 3 • The coach, 4 • Road to the title game, 5 • The title game, 6-7 • Title game photos, 8-11 • Team roster and stats, 12 • Confidence: A team trait, 13 • Community support, 14 • Past state playoff teams, 15

A N A C O R T E S , S K A G I T, WA S H I N G T O N

Season To Remember: Anacortes High School’s First State Football Championship This special section was a celebration of the local high school team’s first state title. All through the season, the support for the team was huge, and the impact the win had on the small town was felt throughout the community. Our coverage started before the season began with interviews with the new head coach, and culminated with multiple reporters and our staff photographer attending the championship game and delivering multiple stories on that game as well as the key players who made it all possible. More at Anacortes American

A SPECIAL REPORT BY ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP

About this series

outlets across the country. We will dig into how our local communities and major constituencies are grappling with mental health stigmas and raising awareness. That includes deeper dives into how schools, first responders, marginalized and other communities are dealing with increased levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health challenges.

Communities across the U.S. are grappling with mental and behavioral health crises born and magnified out of the pandemic, social media and an increasingly digital world. The rest of this year, our journalists across Adams Publishing Group (APG) will look at mental health challenges and new ways to provide services and treatment. APG has more than 120 news

Communities across the country are navigating

News Leader for Idaho Readers How Idaho Press news coverage made a difference in our community

challenging and problematic mental and behavioral health terrains in a whole new postpandemic, digitally driven world.

‘CRISIS POINT’ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CREATIVE COMMONS / PIXABAY USER 422694

B O I S E/N A M PA, I D A H O

More than one in five Americans battle mental illness and 15% are challenged by substance abuse and addiction according to Mental Health America. Those are just two fronts

America’s and in A C R inO S Songoing, TH EsomeAinstances P Gworsening, N mental E T and Wbehavioral O Rhealth K crises.

News Leader for Idaho Readers

Mental Health in America

In 2023, the Idaho Press and Boise Weekly embarked on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 www.IdahoPress.com • SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD • ANACORTES AMERICAN a major initiative to re-introduce their news products and marketing solutions to their community. The project included three focus groups conducted by an outside firm, a branding campaign and the newsroom’s impact report, an eight-page special section that reminded subscribers, nonsubscribers and advertisers of the importance of the local journalism published in 2023.

critical point Across the network, APG sites published locally sourced where we are seeing enterprise from the Mental Health in America series in a increase 2023. Installments focused on issues such as the struggle45% for in the number of kids and teens, suicides in the law enforcement clients community we are serving.” and services for the homeless and unsheltered. National enterprise editor Mike Sunnucks examined laws and policy around involuntary commitment and red-flag gun laws in response to mass shooting. The work drilled into efforts in Wisconsin, Wyoming, Florida, Maryland and other states.

BY MIKE SUNNUCKS • APG National Enterprise Editor

cross the country, there are increasing recognitions of the ongoing and worsening mental and behavioral health crises. That is prompting some change agents to encourage changes in attitudes across the country as those on the frontlines look at new and different ways of delivering mental health services and helping those in need.

“We are at a

Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons Inc.

America, a Virginia-based research and FOR ALL SEASONS advocacy group. That accounts for approximately 50 milPictured are Easton (Md.) Elementary School students throwing confetti during For All Seasons “Spread Joy Confetti Challenge” – a fun outdoor challenge to kick off mental lion people. Eighteen million Americans — 5.44% of the population — experience health awareness activities. On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Beth severe mental illness and 55% of adults Anne Dorman is seeing the situation hit For All Seasons serves 3,000 clients reported suffering from anxiety and depres- with a mental illness have not received any crisis proportions. on the Eastern Shore and across the state sion in 2020 compared to 11% in 2019. treatment, according to the same study. “We are at a critical point where we are Deaths associated with suicide, drug There are plenty of other sobering numseeing a 45% increase in the number of cli- through increased remote services. Dorman said the need is great and grow- overdoses and alcohol in increased 20% bers and concerns. ents we are serving,” said Dorman, CEO of ing. “We are seeing a rise in suicides in our during the height of COVID’s lockdowns Another 4.8% of Americans (12.1 milFor All Seasons Inc. region,” Dorman said. in 2020. lion people) report being suicidal and 15% The nonprofit group provides mental, “We are doing a lot of work with our are battling substance abuse (49.7 million behavioral health services as well as counTOUGH REALITIES first responders. We are taking care of the people), according to MHA. seling for those who have suffered rapes The overall situation has not improved people who took care of everyone during Worries about suicides among young and sexual assaults. since the pandemic. COVID,” she said. people as well as police officers and other “We are seeing more children in need,” Twenty one percent of American adults frontline workers and frequent links The coronavirus pandemic and its pubsaid Dorman, noting the rises are accomare experiencing at least one mental illlic health, economic and social shutdowns between behavioral and mental health panied by staffing shortages across the troubles and mass shootings as well as gun industry and the recent closure of another spurred increases in anxiety and depression. ness, behavioral or emotional disorders, according to the 2023 State of Mental Surveys by the National Center for and domestic violence all confront mental regional mental health provider who served 500 clients. Health Report released by Mental Health health systems and providers. Health Statistics found 40% of Americans

More at Belgrade News

ADAMSPG.COM

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA’S STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA REPORT 2023 — KEY FINDINGS

LOCAL ENTERPRISE BEST OF ADAMS 2023

BOZEMAN, MONTANA

‘A Lot We Don’t Know’: Montana

Mycologists, Foragers Talk Morel Mushrooms Following Deaths This Spring

This story represents the best of APG because it takes perhaps the year’s highestprofile story — two people died after suffering from food poisoning following eating at a popular sushi restaurant in Bozeman — a step further to look at how the incident impacted business for local mushroom foragers. More at Bozeman Daily

Morels have a distinct pitted cap that makes them easy to identify in the field. Photo by Ben Pierce, Chronicle

M O U N T V E R N O N, WAS H I N G TO N

CHEYENNE, WYOMING

Finding A Successor: Skagit County Farmers Make Plans For The Future

The Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Do Wyoming LGBTQ+ Youth Have It?

A four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the importance of succession planning for local farms and their legacies. Many keep their farmland in the family, while other look to those outside their families. More at Skagit Valley Herald/

In the state where Matthew Shepard was murdered 25 years ago for being gay, some say LGBTQ+ youth are under attack more now than in 1998. From the Wyoming Legislature passing bills to ban transgender youth from participating in sports teams to simply living day to day in the small towns of a heavily conservative state, the youth, their parents and other advocates say it’s difficult to call Wyoming home. Reporter Jasmine Hall teamed up with summer intern Ivy Secrest to interview a wide variety of sources for this high-quality, in-depth enterprise piece. More at Wyoming Tribune Eagle

GoSkagit.com

Chronicle

ADAMSPG.COM

LOCAL ENTERPRISE BEST OF ADAMS 2023

BOISE/NAMPA, IDAHO

Boise Students Say Assault Claims Often Met With Silence After Timberline High School suddenly suspended a math teacher, a disturbing trend of student-reported physical and sexual assault cases came to light in the Boise School District, both on and off school grounds. The Idaho Press talked to several of the victims, who spoke of their abuse, attempts to report it, and how the district took no action. Our coverage led the way locally and had other outlets chasing the news. It also set the tone for a number of follow-up stories. More at Idaho

Press

EASTON MARYLAND

60 Years After Martin Luther King Jr.’S Speech, Local Leaders Reflect On What Has Been Accomplished On the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, Star Democrat reporters interviewed eight people in the community about how the speech has affected their lives, what has been accomplished since 1963 and what remains to be done. The stories were accompanied by an opinion column and excerpts from the speech. The package was published in a sevenpage spread in the Sunday Star Democrat. More at Star Democrat

LAUREL, MONTANA

‘There is a Romanticism to Montana’ This piece delves into what is causing the housing crisis in Montana, what is driving prices up, and why people choose to move to Montana. A Bozeman realtor really puts the issue into perspective, noting that Bozeman got the name Boze-angeles several years ago, implying that the housing boom has been building there for many years. Another source commented on the romanticism of Montana, and that is something that has also been building for many years. More at Laurel Outlook

ADAMSPG.COM

LOCAL NEWS BEST OF ADAMS 2023

Individuals carry their belongings away as emergency crews respond to multi-vehicle crash in both the north and south lanes of Interstate 90/39 just north of the East Creek Road overpass on January 27, 2003. Photo by: Anthony Wahl JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN

Interstate Pileup Involved 85 Vehicles, No Fatalities The local team in southern Wisconsin updated this breaking national story 66 times over nine hours after being the first news organization on the scene. Reporter Kylie Balk Yaatenen drove there and then walked up the embankment on foot and sent in photos to an editor who was working the desk. Staff photographer Anthony Wahl was caught in traffic headed to the scene. Kylie parked on a side road and walked up to the interstate and interviewed motorists caught in the shutdown. The pileups were first reported at 12:45 p.m. The team had a story up on Gazettextra.com and on their Facebook page at 1:46 p.m. More at The Gazette

ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA

Nightmare Becomes Reality: Man Attacks, Kidnaps Elderly Clients The Florida news team looked into thousands of stories from Hurricane Ian a year after it struck the area. This one from reporter Frank DiFiore is a story about a man who had been staying with an elderly couple, originally to assist them with their medical needs. He allegedly began “acting irrationally” as the Category 4 storm struck. He beat the couple’s dog to death, struck them and kidnapped them, according to the criminal complaint. They escaped from him after they had been driven about 30 miles away from their home, being separated but eventually finding one-another at a hospital. More at The Daily Sun

GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE

Mother Described Struggle To Help Meth-Addicted Son Like so many places across the nation, Greene County, Tennessee, has been wracked by the drug epidemic. The Greeneville Sun reports on the effects — including crime, overdose numbers, resources that must be devoted to the issue by various agencies. Nothing is more impactful, though, than giving that issue a personal context. Ken Little does that by helping Lisa Martin tell the tragic story of her son, Tony Nunley, whose life spiraled downward into addiction and, eventually, his own death. More at The Greeneville Sun

ADAMSPG.COM

LOCAL NEWS BEST OF ADAMS 2023

Passing cars on Park Street maneuver through a minefield of ice, snow, and cows on Sunday morning in Livingston. Photo by: Donald Zanoff LIVINGSTON, MONTANA

‘Udder Chaos’ in Livingston Social media was buzzing on a Sunday morning about a local rancher marching his 150 cows about 10 miles down local roads and highways, a route that took the cattle party down Park Street and right through the heart of Livingston. Knowing this was a unique local story, writer John Carroll tracked down the local rancher and asked him about his decision to walk his cows down local highways and streets rather than transport them by trailers. He also connected with a local photographer who was on the early morning scene and captured the money photo. The story blew up on the Enterprise Facebook page. More at Livingston Enterprise

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

400,000 Gallons of Water Contaminated with Radioactive Tritium Leaked From Monticello Nuclear Power Plant The Monticello Times had an important story to tell. One that affected the entire community. Water contaminated with a radioactive isotope had seeped from our local nuclear power plant, and officials waited 2 1/2 months to share the news.

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

Nightmare on Highway 169 Getting rear-ended by a truck while traveling in the slow lane of Highway 169 in Elk River became the least of Billi Jo Kruse’s concerns when her 911 call was canceled. A recount of her horrifying experience in a crash turned carjacking. More at Elk River Star

More at Monticello Times

ADAMSPG.COM

FEATURES BEST OF ADAMS 2023

Two times the swath capacity as two machines work across the ends of a corn field. E M M E T T, I D A H O

Community Harvest: Ailing Farmer Gets Boost From Rural Tradition in Gem County This story by Del Gray reflects a community value that many people think is gone. Not in this community. The acts of kindness and community are daily. Many still had some of their own harvests and fall field preps to complete but when a need arose, they made it happen. More at Emmett Messenger Index

ASHLAND, WISCONSIN

Peregrines Return to Ashland This was the first in a series of stories tracking the return of the birds and explaining their ecological significance. The Daily Press also accompanied researchers when they banded the birds and tested them for avian flu and other maladies. Finally, they took on a project in which the newspaper connected the local school district with the researchers and had students nominate 10 names to assign to chicks that hatched. Readers voted on the names, with the top four given to chicks. More at Ashland Daily Press

ADAMSPG.COM

E L L E N S B U R G, WAS H I N G TO N

Turning 100: Ellensburg Woman Reflects on a Century of Adventure A story of heartbreak and humor. What could have been a run-of-the-mill story about a 100th birthday became a delightful romp through the life of Lola “Penny” Shriner thanks to the interviewing - and listening - skills of reporter Anna Rose. More at Daily Record

FEATURES BEST OF ADAMS 2023

BOZEMAN, MONTANA

When the Water Recedes This piece was the first installment in a series the Chronicle published looking back on the Yellowstone River’s historic flooding in 2022. As for why it’s the best, Nora’s writing and sourcing is exceptional, and the way she rebuilt that fateful day is compelling and important for the historical record. More at Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Sections of Northeast Entrance Road are washed out due to flooding on Soda Butte Creek in Yellowstone National Park on June 19, 2022. Photo by: Samuel Wilson/Chronicle/Report for America

STANFORD, MONTANA

Historic Gravesite of Millie Ringold Located Born into slavery, Millie Ringold built an incredible life in the old mining community of Yogo Town. It was Ringold’s intent to be buried in the town she loved, but that did not happen. Instead she was laid to rest in a piano box 23 miles away from Yogo Town in the settlement of Utica. When the cemetery plot for Utica vanished, so, it seemed, did Millie Ringold. But now Millie’s story is coming to life again, with the help of a local history enthusiast and some state of the art technology. Millie’s grave has been located and area residents have placed a gravestone in her honor. More at Judith Basin Press

ELKTON, MARYLAND

Sniffin’ Sleuths: Fire Investigator Partners With New Arson Detection Dog The story does a great job of encompassing heartwarming moments, the dedication of the fire investigator and his dogs, and the hard work that they all are required to put in. More at Cecil Whig

ADAMSPG.COM

EDITORIAL

BEST OF ADAMS 2023

GLENDIVE, MONTANA

You ever wonder why they call it ‘breaking’ news? With tempers running hot as a result of a very turbulent period in Glendive city government, it was inevitable that the newspaper would receive some backlash about news coverage. After a particularly nasty week in local politics, a keyboard warrior questioned why the newspaper made the mayor’s firing of the police chief a breaking news item on our website. Hunter answered that perfectly, without pinpointing the question at hand, with this column. More at Ranger Review

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

What Independence Day Means To Active Duty Military And Veterans For many people, the Fourth of July means a day off from work, family barbecues, and fireworks. For active service military, and for veterans, Independence Day serves as a reminder of sacrifice. This column is a stark reminder of how much veterans have truly given in service to their country. More at County News Review

AV E RY C O U N T Y, N O R T H C A R O L I N A

Call To The Pen: Remembering The One And Only Steve Behr Editorial retrospective honoring longtime sports editor of The Watauga Democrat newspaper, colleague and friend Steve Behr by AJT Editor Jamie Shell. More at Avery Journal Times

12 12 || AADDAAM MSSPPG G..CCO OM M

SPORTS & OUTDOORS BEST OF ADAMS 2023

ASHLAND, WISCONSIN

Born To Run: Brule Musher Conquers Iditarod a Year After Crash This is the remarkable story of a local musher who, a year after a snowmobiler ran down his dogsled team, won the storied Iditarod sled dog race with his badly injured dog in harness. The work included links to the blog of the veterinarian who performed emergency surgery on the dog, to the musher’s page and a brief history of the race itself. We also linked back to the original story on the crash. More at Ashland Redington, in his signature lime green coat, on the first day of the race. He would cross the finish line in first place eight days, 21 hours, 12 minutes and 58 seconds later. Photo by Julia Redington

Daily Press

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

POCATELLO, IDAHO

Grief Despite Victory: Melander, Nelson Remembered After New Year’s Day Snowmobile Accident

FEARLESS: Riddle ‘Stared Adversity In The Face’ and Now Has Highland in Contention For Another State Title

Sports can bring a community together, even a community that has suffered a loss. When the Cambridge-Isanti boys basketball team hosted rival Princeton High School only a few days after a snowmobile accident claimed the lives of two 20-year-olds from the community, the contest gave family, friends and former classmates a chance to share their grief, celebrate two young lives, and begin the process of healing. This contest was much more than just a Friday night game involving two local teams. More at

This story by Sports Editor Brandon Walton chronicles Jackson Riddle’s amazing comeback. The injury-plagued high school football player overcame broken bones as well as his parents’ divorce en route to leading Highland to an eventual state title. Riddle also ended up winning Idaho player of the year honors. More at Idaho State Journal

County News Review

ADAMSPG.COM

BEST OF ADAMS 2023

MORE NOTEWORTHY STORIES For links to all of these stories, please visit: adamspg.com/best/of2023

DATA, INVESTIGATIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY Faribault Daily News, Minnesota School board member is activist for anti-LGBTQ group Herald Journal, Logan, Utah Reports of wrongful termination at county clerk/ auditor’s office Bay Times and Record Observer, Eastern Shore, Maryland Parents, local Board of Ed officials fight to retain autonomy Circleville Herald, Ohio Video shows Circleville Police dog attacking a suspect Anoka, East Central Minnesota Dominium renters: ‘We’re living in fear’ Star Democrat, Easton, Maryland Dorchester County faces a reckoning after years of missed audits Vinton Jackson Courier, McArthur, Ohio ‘I want justice for my son’ Herald Journal, Logan, Utah Authorities: dangerous fentanyl use increasing in previously untouched communities Dorchester Star, Easton, Maryland Management tries to solve problems at Altair Apartments, but is it enough? Star News, Elk River, East Central Minnesota Some rural residents questioning Highway 169 connection

EDITORIAL Message Media, Aitkin County, Minnesota ‘My heart was broken seeing him in pain …’

LOCAL ENTERPRISE APG NETWORK Food & Farm series More at Belgrade News

Dorchester Star, Maryland ‘It could have been my life’ Message Media, Aitkin, Minnesota

Big Tom’s Diner opens in Aitkin Livingston Enterprise, Montana

Dealing with loneliness, isolation Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota Hopkins to host city’s first-ever Pride June 17 Sun Current, East Central Minnesota Bloomington church helps stretch the grocery dollar St. Peter Herald and Le Sueur County News

Le Sueur PD issues decals raising awareness of autistic occupants

LOCAL NEWS Star Democrat, Easton, Maryland Historic Federalsburg election brings hope for future

ADAMSPG.COM

News-Argus, Lewiston, Montana Moccasin WWI veteran accounted for after eight decades Daily Times, Maryville, Tennessee County, Blount Memorial Hospital at odds over present, future News Watchman, Pike County, Ohio Absence makes the heart grow fonder: Tiger the cat is back on the job Rogersville Review, Tennessee Demolition reveals lost original 1790s era log kitchen at Rogers Tavern Owatonna People’s Press, Minnesota Allina announces closure of Homestead Hospice House Ranger Review, Glendive, Montana Done-Inn: Massive fire guts century-old Jordan Inn building Anacortes American, Washington Anacortes mayor critical of proposed ordinance Press and News, East Central Minnesota STMA grad, veteran, Fargo police officer killed in shooting Sun Current, East Central Minnesota Carr receives Richfield’s human rights award Venice Gondolier, Florida Jury rules in favor of family in ‘Maya’ case Stanwood-Camano News, Washington Rainbows and celebration: Stanwood-Camano holds second annual Pride event Skagit Valley Herald, Mt. Vernon, Washington Efforts throughout area working toward restoration of Stillaguamish Chinook habitat Sun Post, East Central Minnesota 2-year anniversary of Daunte Wright’s death marked with balloon release Sun Patriot, East Central Minnesota Waconia teachers put attention on contract negotiations Perry Tribune, Ohio County, college argue property lawsuit in appeals court Logan Daily News, Ohio Local churches join those that have split from United Methodists The Chronotype, Rice Lake, Wisconsin Communities mourning deaths of two police officers killed in performance of their duties Kent County News, Maryland Lifeguards at Betterton save 5-year-old Yadkin Ripple, North Carolina Jace Allen sentenced to 20-33 months in shooting death of Norah Smitherman Reflector, Greenville, North Carolina City councilman involved in sale of house at center of Greek request Dundalk Eagle, Maryland Two 18-year-olds arrested after carjacking spree in Dundalk The Carroll News, Hillsville, Virginia Toddler found after three-hour search Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota First-ever Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair to be held in Plymouth Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota Gone fishin’: Wayzata Bait & Tackle to close after 48 years Judith Basin Press, Montana

A hunt to heal Union-Times, East Central Minnesota Princeton officer injured in five-officer shooting: Suspect in custody Idaho Press, Boise/Nampa, Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office told state health department to pull Boise Pride sponsorships Avery Journal, North Carolina Town celebrates longtime clerk Connie Guinn with retirement party MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE A Look Inside Alcoa’s Amazon Fulfillment Warehouse, Launched Thursday More at The Daily Times Skagit Valley Herald, Mt. Vernon Washington Sedro-Woolley shutters meth-contaminated motel, residents given little warning Emmett Messenger Index Emmett gets closer look at SH-16 planning process The Leader, Tremonton, Utah Hope on Wheels: Mobile opioid addiction treatment facility comes to Tremonton Forest Lake Times, East Central Minnesota Bus drivers demand higher pay in filing for strike Sun Current, East Central Minnesota Civil rights complaint filed against Edina Schools over student protesters’ suspensions Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota Couple married nearly 50 years met during Eden Prairie Schooner Days Avery Journal-Times, North Carolina LMC May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center releases redtailed hawk Watauga Democrat, North Carolina A Roar in the Sky: The jets that fly the High Country Newark Post, Elkton, Maryland Arrest of Newark High student outside graduation ceremony prompts anger, allegations of bias Livingston Enterprise, Montana PFL thriving as new CEO takes the reins Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota Critics of regional bike trail route through St. Louis Park gain high-profile ally Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Cheyenne, Wyoming The victim has vanished from the case Stanwood Camano News, Washington Camano Fire seeks increase in fire levy Stanwood Camano News, Washington Snohomish PUD continues work on high-voltage line to Camano Sun Post, East Central Minnesota Conference for rare Moebius Syndrome gathers in Brooklyn Park, builds community Patriot, East Central Minnesota St. Boni Legion post disbands after nearly 80 years Perry County Tribune, Ohio New Lex warned: Zoning out homeless shelter invites a lawsuit Logan Daily News, Ohio School district asked to balance Bible classes with atheist teaching

BEST OF ADAMS 2023

MORE NOTEWORTHY STORIES The Chronotype, Rice Lake, Wisconsin Parents panicked as Pediatric Therapy Clubhouse set to close Stokes News, North Carolina Belews Creek goes nuclear in new Duke Energy plan Laker Pioneer, East Central Minnesota Long Lake accuses Orono of violating court order Carbon County News, Montana Local Dog Hit and In Need of Christmas Miracle Kent County News, Maryland Protesters silence renowned speaker at Washington College Yadkin Ripple, North Carolina

A mother’s fight for justice

FEATURES News-Argus, Lewistown, Montana Faded Valentine: Not much left of prairie town Boise Weekly, Idaho Suicide Prevention and tattoos: Punctuate life with a semicolon Southern Maryland News Mechanicsville resident hikes Appalachian Trail Idaho State Journal, Pocatello, Idaho East Idaho motel named to National Register of Historic Places after nearly a century of serving travelers Morrison County Record, East Central Minnesota Pearl Harbor never forgotten, always remembered Terry Tribune, Montana Slithers & Squeaks: Terry resident raises and breeds pythons and rats as a side hustle during retirement Athens Messenger, Ohio Writing kept romance alive during Decaminadas’ long-distance courtship Press and News, East Central Minnesota Heading into retirement: ‘A sincere thank you to all my customers’ Laurel Outlook, Montana “It’s made me the person I am today” Skagit Valley Herald, Washington Stories of Honor: Evert Bergquist The Leader, Tremonton, Idaho Forever in a moment: Tremonton’s newest mural an homage to Shoshone past, present and future Forest Lake Times, East Central Minnesota Giving up the stigma

F A R I B A U L T, MINNESOTA Amplifier Business is First of Downtown Redevelopment More at Faribault Daily News

Sun Current, East Central Minnesota Shepherd of the Hills welcomes first Black, female, gay pastor Sun Sailor, East Central Minnesota Legally blind Minnetonka chiropractor chases professional, athletic dreams Avery Journal, North Carolina Adam Church featured Friday evening concert at Linville Falls Winery

Watauga Democrat, Boone, North Carolina Holocaust survivor recalls early childhood, establishing Jewish studies center at App State Newark Post, Elkton, Maryland Heartfelt gratitude: Newark teen forms a bond with the stranger who received her late father’s heart Carbon County News, Montana WW II Vet’s Family Reflects on Sacrifice and Service Livingston Enterprise, Montana ‘We were as big as Michael Jackson’ Spooner Advocate, Wisconsin Minong youth finds his ‘space’ Union Times, East Central Minnesota 4,000 hats made by one man warm heads around the world Monticello Times, East Central Minnesota

Fire captain retires after 28 years

Bay Times & Record Observer, Chester, Maryland Three gold medals: At 100, Wally Dashiell continues her winning ways

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN Way Off the Grid More at Leader-Telegram

KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Wade in the Water: Stories of the Klamath River More at Herald and News

SPECIAL REPORTS Livingston Enterprise, Montana Celebrating National Women Small Business Month Keys News, Florida Jimmy Buffett dies at 76

SPORTS Spooner Advocate, Wisconsin RECORD BREAKER: 69th Spooner Rodeo attendance best ever Cecil Whig, Maryland Fair Hill holds special significance for Maryland Five Star competitor Reflector, Greenville, North Carolina Little League World Series coverage Dundalk Eagle, Maryland ‘Proud in victory, humble in defeat’: Dundalk football falls to Perry Hall Gators 14-7 The Carroll News, Hillsville, Virginia Lady Cavs repeat as state champs

Circleville Herald, Ohio Local veteran takes Honor Flight ABC Newspapers, Anoka, Minnesota ‘This will be my legacy’ Boise Weekly, Idaho One crop at a time — local nonprofit helps address food insecurity East Idaho Business Journal, Pocatello, Idaho ‘PRETTY DARN BLESSED’: Former cop achieves lifelong dream of opening art studio Morrison County Record, East Central Minnesota Kurt Lucking, a living, walking, talking miracle Terry Tribune, Montana Liles family continues generations of tradition Athens Messenger, Ohio Famed folk artist appearing at Fur Peace Ranch Press & News, East Central Minnesota Champlin brothers music dreams come true Anacortes American, Washington “Life is precious” - Moulton finds greater empathy in cancer battle Rogersville Review, Tennessee Artwork you can drive: Pressman’s Home artists creates replica ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car Monticello Times, Minnesota The Perfect Catch: Steve and Janet Bromberg’s 59 years together began on a softball field Press and News, East Central Minnesota Rogers 11-year-old ‘still finds joy in things, good in people’ Anacortes American, Washington Anacortes nonprofit provides direct funding to Ukrainian groups Elkin Tribune, North Carolina Bridge of Unity hosts 2023 Juneteenth celebration

Keys News, Florida SCORE Magazine Mt. Airy News, North Carolina Bears advance to 4th round with shutout Athens Messenger, Ohio Tariq Cottrill looks to cap off historic career with one last ride at Federal Hocking Elkin Tribune, North Carolina Starmount’s Lane relishes special opportunity P I K E C O U N T Y, OHIO Ready To Go: Tackett Embarking On Inaugural Racing Season In 305 Sprint More at News Watchman The Stokes News, North Carolina Angel in the Outfield Greeneville Sun, Tennessee My Favorite Team Laker Pioneer, East Central Minnesota Westonka, Waconia bowlers go for pins, wins Mt. Airy News, North Carolina Clash of the Titans Athens Messenger, Ohio Albany to Athens: Grissett looks to leave legacy at Alexander before becoming a Bobcat Circleville Herald, Ohio Camden McDanel brings home gold in Pan-American Championships

ADAMSPG.COM

ADAMSPG.COM 16

A D A M S P G .Best COM of Adams designed by Katie Westbrooks, The High Road Agency