Most weekend nights, Willamette Week writers cringe when someone asks, "Where do you work?"--never knowing whether the answer will prompt a pat on the back or a slap in the face.
On Saturday, May 17, however, cheers clearly outweighed the jeers as Team WW spanked its 18 competitors at the annual Excellence in Journalism awards, sponsored by the Greater Oregon Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. While the Nose was snubbed for 2002, his colleagues picked up a total of 28 awards, including 13 first-place plaques in the 28 categories for non-daily papers.
Investigative Reporting
First: "Salina Worrell Was Robbed" (July 3), by Chris Lydgate
Third: "Scammed!" (June 19) by Nigel Jaquiss
Environmental Reporting
First: "The Coast Is Clearcut" (March 6), by Nick Budnick
Third: "Swimming to Astoria" (May 29), by Patty Wentz
Arts and Criticism
First: "The Talented Mr. Haynes" (Nov. 13), by Byron Beck
Honorable Mention: "The Greatest Portland Band...Ever?" (July 31), by Zach Dundas
Inside Page Design
First: "Sho Dozono's Rules" (Oct. 20), by Anne Reeser
Editorials
First: Voter's Guide: "It May Not Be Sexy..." (May 8)
Religion and Values
First: "Out of Africa" (Oct. 2), by Amy Roe
Education
First: "Anywhere, U.S.A." (Dec. 11), by Nigel Jaquiss
Sports Feature
First: "Tough Girl" (Jan. 9), by Zach Dundas
Science and Health Reporting
First: "Sense and Sinsemilla" (April 3), by Chris Lydgate
General Feature
Second: "Free the Elephants" (Aug. 28), by Amy Roe
Honorable Mention: Best of Portland (July 24), edited by Byron Beck
Business News
First: "Cargo Kings" (Oct. 9), by Chris Lydgate
Second: "Burning Questions" (June 5), by Nick Budnick
Social Issues Reporting
First: "Crossing the Line" (Feb. 6), by Nick Budnick
Honorable Mention: "The Duke of Dignity Village" (Sept. 18), by Nick Budnick
Personalities
First: "Judge Dread" (July 10), by Nick Budnick
Third: "Professor Soundbite" (Nov. 6), By Amy Roe
Business Feature
First: "Pulp Radio" (Dec. 4), by Zach Dundas
Third: "The Incredible Shrinking Empire of Bob Pamplin," (Jan. 30) by Nigel Jaquiss
Reporting on Government
Second: "Can't Touch This" (Nov. 27), by Nick Budnick
Third: "Rubbish!" (Dec. 24), by Chris Lydgate & Nick Budnick
Headlines
Second: "Swimming to Astoria," "Better Off Wed," "Sense and Sinsemilla," etc., by WW staff
General Column
Honorable Mention: "Queer Window," by Byron Beck
Lifestyle
Honorable Mention: "I Ain't 'Fraid of No Ghost" (Oct. 30), by Kim Colton
Photo Page/Photo Essay/Photo Series
Third: "Swimming to Astoria" (May 29), photos by Basil Childers
WWeek 2015