Chronicle repeats as best newspaper in Wyoming

The Lovell Chronicle has been judged the top newspaper in Wyoming for the second year in a row.

As announced at the 127th annual winter convention held at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper Saturday night, the Chronicle was judged the top paper in the medium weekly division, Division B, based on circulation (1,400 to 3,000).

This was the Chronicle’s sixth general excellence award in recent years, receiving the honor in the small weekly category in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2025. The paper received the Hanway Plaque for Division B under a recent new breakdown of circulation numbers.

Judges from New Mexico wrote of the Chronicle: “So much to like about this paper. Strong writing, good design, great mix of hard news, features and sports. Photography, however, sets this publication far above its peers. So many great shots from real life. And only $1. What a bargain!”

The Uinta County Herald of Evanston was judged second for general excellence in Division B.

The Chronicle was also awarded the first-place Editorial Leadership Cup for Division B for editorials penned by editor/publisher David Peck, and the paper received second place in the category of advertising excellence. Judges wrote of Chronicle advertising: “A nice mix of local ads with strong graphic design. Well composed and put together. Nice work!”

Chronicle publisher Peck said he was honored and humbled to see the Chronicle once again judged the best paper in the medium division, which includes the Laramie Boomerang, Green River Star, Star Valley Independent, Lander Journal and others.

Peck said the awards are truly a reflection of the community and represent the hard work the newspaper staff puts in every week during challenging times for the newspaper industry.

“It’s been a challenging year with the loss of our dear Stormy (Jameson), but we have a very dedicated crew who cares about our community and this newspaper and does great work for your community newspaper every week,” Peck said. “We appreciate all of the support we receive from our readers, story sources and advertisers. This is your award, as well.”

Peck noted the care and attention to detail the newspaper team employs every week to produce the paper, even in the face of staffing issues, adding that Chronicle employees simply work harder to produce the best newspaper they can.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the efforts and the dedication of our crew,” he said. “To say it’s a labor of love would be an undeniable truth -- love of this newspaper and of the community we serve. We share these awards with our readers, advertisers and those who work with us every week, without whom there would be no paper. This is your newspaper.”

Pacemakers

Chronicle staff members were honored with 10 individual Pacemaker Awards at the convention in various categories.

Reporter John Bernhisel received a first-place Pacemaker in the News-Feature category for his story about Natural Trap Cave. A judge wrote, “Nice lede, making the reader question how falling 100 feet into a dark cave could possibly be good. The imagery is nice, as well, in the second graph. Well organized story. … Overall one of the better feature stories in the competition.”

Production Manager Carla Wensky received first-place Pacemaker in the Institutional Ad category for a “No Chickens” ad during the debate over whether the Town of Lovell should allow chickens to be raised in town. Wrote the judge, “Very blunt and to the point. Love it.”

Former production manager Karlie Hammond also received a first-place Pacemaker in the Merchandise Ad category for a Thanksgiving Turkey Deal Alert ad for The Market in Lovell. Wrote the judge, “I love the cuddly grandma in this ad. When I looked at this ad, it immediately brought a smile to my face. Wonderful job.”

Peck received a second-place Pacemaker for column writing for three columns about airline adventures, an exploding toilet in the Chronicle office and his grandson Leroy’s roaring dinosaurs. The judge wrote, “’Dinosaurs come with much roaring’ was very heartwarming. Being a grandfather sounds wonderful.”

Bernhisel received an honorable mention Pacemaker in the same category for columns about his faith forced into the spotlight with national events, our communities stepping up for those in need and his old guy genius in many areas. The judge wrote: “’Our communities step up for those in need’ had such a wonderful message. Sounds like a great place to live.”

Bernhisel received an honorable mention photography award in the Scenic Photo category for his drone photo of the Shoshone River. The judge commented, “This photo taken from a drone shows both vivid color and crisp focus across the entire depth of field. Taken from altitude, it exhibits the vast scope of the land while retaining an intimacy with the subject, the river.”

Reporter Patti Carpenter received a third-place Pacemaker in the Spot News Story category for her coverage of the shootings in Byron, as a judge noted the heart wrenching aspect and senselessness of the murder-suicide.

Wensky received an honorable mention Pacemaker in the Use of Graphic Elements category for the December 12, 2024, front page. “This cover page really stood out for both the juxtaposition of imagery along with the wonderful horse and desert up top. Well done.”

She also received an honorable mention award for Best Designed Ad for a Lovell Mustangs thank-you ad. “Colors really meshed well in this ad,” the judge wrote.

Wensky and designer Kyler Martinez received an honorable mention Pacemaker for Best Use of Color in an Ad for an ad that read, “Off We Go Again.” Wrote the judge, “Colors used go well together.”

The Jackson Hole News and Guide was judged the best newspaper in the large weekly division, and the Bridger Valley Pioneer was judged the best paper on the small weekly division.