Editor’s note: While our local newspaper tooted its own horn, and “local yocals” such as Don Bessee, Barry Pruett, and Todd Juvinal joined the chorus, I missed the news that interested me as a 12-year alumnus of Northern California’s largest newspaper:
As Steve Rubenstein reports in the “Voice of The West”: “The Chronicle won (26 awards) and 12 top awards — including its third straight first-place award for general excellence in large-circulation newspapers — from the California News Publishers Association.
“In naming The Chronicle the first-place winner in the daily division, the California Journalism Awards judges cited ‘clear and compelling writing, good photos and lots of just nice finds tucked throughout the pages.’
“Every section is treated with care … (there’s) something for everyone,’ the judges added.
“The Chronicle’s other first-place awards for 2017 came in the categories of breaking news, editorial comment, feature story, front page layout and design, in-depth reporting, online general excellence, online photo story/essay, photo story/essay, photojournalism, sports feature photo and video journalism. The Chronicle also won nine second-place awards.”
I think I’ll renew my subscription to The Chronicle! We travel a lot in Northern California, and I often find community newspapers such as The Union to be too provincial. And some stories, like the front-page “investigation” on “roofie madness” are “fake news.” A lot of community news I read in The Union appears on my Facebook page — and it’s not fake news. To each his own, however.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
Still no word from Pruett acknowledging that The Chronicle won 26 awards, including best large newspaper for three years in a row — an even greater accomplishment than The Union. Of course, Pruett was the one who mocked “San Francisco values” when he ran for clerk recorder and lost every precinct. Meanwhile, is this the same Todd with the big dragon breathe (sic) in the right-wing blogosphere listed here? Or not. https://www.mynevadacounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/5971 Todd, maybe you can clear this up. Go figure!
Right on Chronicle!!!!!
Oh no! I forgot to add R.L. “I’m a local legend (in his own mind)” Crabb to the list of apologists for our little community newspaper. A crotchety old coot of a cartoonist who never held a candle to Mark Fiore (http://www.markfiore.com/about/), Chan Lowe (http://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/chan-lowe) or other talented cartoonists who were my former friends and colleagues. But then again, until The Union, I never worked alongside a co-worker who gleefully recollected hanging out with the Mitchell Brothers and doing “hard drugs … as a lifestyle” (to use his own words, https://www.rlcrabb.com/history-2/just-say-no/) while the rest of us went to good colleges. Small towns (and some of the characters who live there) are a hoot! But wait there’s more: With nasty old coots like Crabb and Boardman on The Union’s payroll, the editor today pleads with us: “We need your help, too, to keep it going.” You can’t make this stuff up! ROFLOL.
Oh look, Barry Pruett thinks R.L. Crabb is funny with his “Moby Dick” cartoon. I think it’s funny that Barry’s law school may “wind down.” What will Barry put on his resume? ROFLOL. https://abovethelaw.com/2017/11/valparaiso-law-school-will-close-its-doors-thanks-to-low-enrollment/ I can’t wait for the cartoon!
And then there’s Todd, who never made it to a four-year university. And it shows!
And there’s nothing like keeping up with the uplifting front-page digital news in The Union when you’re out of town:
“-Nevada County receives failing grade in American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report
-Grass Valley man accused of having sexual relationship with teen
-Methadone clinic set to open in Grass Valley May 1
-Nevada County police blotter: Rottweiler shot after allegedly attacking people”
Now Todd is mocking graduates of U.C. Berkeley, rated the top public university. http://news.berkeley.edu/2017/10/24/usnewsglobalrankings2017/
He’s got “bumpkin” stamped on his forehead! You can be sure my alma mater will not “wind down.” LOL.
I know some very conservative Berkeley grads and they live up here. I’ve seen them wearing “gasp” Burkenstocks. I “wonder” what todd would have to say to them LOL!
Chronicle named best California newspaper for the fourth year in a row, along with 15 first-place awards! https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Chronicle-named-California-s-best-large-13820997.php