News File Photo Alpena News Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley is pictured in this 2019 News file photo.

ALPENA — The Alpena News received top honors in the 2020 Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Newspaper Contest on Wednesday for its coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and coverage of on the spot news stories.

The News received first place in the Best Public Service category for its coronavirus coverage, which stood out to judges because of how the information was organized in print and online.

“Newsrooms exist for public service, so it means so much to me that Alpena’s newsroom earned the top spot in that category — especially given the fantastic work performed by journalists across Michigan to keep their communities informed of the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic,” News Publisher/Editor Justin Hinkley said. “Our reporters don’t do what they do for recognition. They do it for this community. But they deserve recognition, and I’m so proud of them and so honored that our peers in the media thought so highly of our work.”

The News’ coverage of the coronavirus pandemic started in March 2020 and has included daily updates from local health departments as well as stories covering business, sports, local government, religion and health care.

Judges said “Organizing COVID-19 information was how this entry stood out. That packaging was a particularly helpful decision in delivering information to readers in a manageable fashion. This allowed them to quickly understand where to find information and what was new and important.”

News Staff Writer Julie Riddle received first place in the Best Spot News Coverage category for her story, “Everybody’s Happy at an Elk Hunt,” where she followed a Department of Natural Resources officer around on the opening day of elk season.

Judges said Riddle’s story captured a slice of life that seems to resonate within the community and that she displayed a good ear for quotations and strong organization.

Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley received second place in the Best Spot Coverage category for her story, “250 March in Alpena to Protest Floyd Death,” where she covered Alpena march in June to protest the death of George Floyd — a Black man who died under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020 — and interviewed those who attended.

Judges said Darby Hinkley “brought the national story home” and stood out because of the sampling of participants’ voices.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.