Pilot honored in annual newspaper competition

The Whitefish Pilot earned 10 awards during the 135th annual convention of the Montana Newspaper Association held virtually last week.

The Pilot competes in the division two category for weekly newspapers with a circulation size between 1,250 and 2,000.

Editor Heidi Desch and former Pilot reporter Daniel McKay share a first place award for Best Investigative Journalism for a series of stories in February 2019 regarding the top issues facing Whitefish. The Pilot held a poll asking readers what the top issues facing the city were, and then the Pilot took an in-depth look at those issues.

Desch also earned third place for Best Lifestyle Coverage.

McKay also earned first place for Best Headline Writing, and second place for Best Feature Story, third place for Best Education Coverage and third place in the Best Outdoor Writing category.

In the advertising categories the Pilot also picked up several awards.

Becky Lee earned first place in Best Ad to Sell or Promote Services, second place in Best Ad to Sell or Promote Merchandise Color and second place in Best Marketing Campaign.

Morgan Krieg earned second place in the Best Newspaper Promotional Ad.