We got a plaque!
We’re Honored: NewWest.Net Named “Best Local Website” for Third Year Running
The Missoula Independent's 15th annual "Best of Missoula" issue has 160 winners -- including us.
By Amy Linn, 7-09-09
The mega-popular “Best of Missoula” issue from the Missoula Independent hit newsstands today with a record number of categories and a whopping 96 pages—the biggest issue in the Indy’s history. Congratulations to the Independent for fine writing each week and for all the hard work that makes the “Best of” such a success. (Indy vote-counters and staffers, this means you).
The 160 winners, we’re proud to say, include NewWest.Net, which was voted “Best Local Website” for the third year in a row. We give a big thanks to Missoula and to all our readers for the honor and support. (And we love the plaque, too.)
A look at some of the other 2009 winners:
Best Journalist: Tristan Scott
Best Photographer: Chad Harder
Best Restaurant: The Pearl Cafe and Bakery
Best Bar for a Stiff Pour: Al’s & Vic’s
Best Hamburger: Missoula Club
Best Local Brew: Kettlehouse Cold Smoke
Best Public Restroom: We’ll let you read that one and all the others by picking up the Independent or reading the full list here.
Here’s what the NewWest.net write-up said:
As daily papers around the country struggle to survive and the Internet turns the industry’s business model on its head, Missoula-based NewWest.net stands at the cutting edge of next-generation journalism. This year, the national award-winning site made its mark by extensively covering Missoula’s second most high-profile court case, the Yellowstone Club’s dramatic bankruptcy. That’s just one example of the site’s commitment to help readers better understand the changes taking place in the Northern Rockies, and why Missoulians say they dig NewWest.Net more than any other local site.
[End of article]Yeah, and the New York "Times" wins six Pulitzers. And the Washington "Post" win four Pulitzers, etc., etc. And Jill wins all the awards in Boise. And in Missoula it's: if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, etc., etc. Everybody loves the "Missoulian", and everybody loves the "Independent", and everybody loves New West. Gosh, all that passion is sending a heat wave down here to Idaho. I hope everybody in the journalistic community in Missoula is practicing safe sex.
Comment By geo logic, 7-10-09Bill, do you need a hug?
Comment By Bill Croke, 7-10-09No. But Missoula could use a bit of real diversity (and I actually despise that phoney word) in its media landscape. Like in all university towns, everybody is held hostage to the Leftwing point of view. I don't watch TV (I don't have one), but I assume the Missoula broadcast media is just as dreary as the print-internet landscape. And in radio you have Airhead America-type programming at KPMT. I assume you can hear Rush Limbaugh on the radio on some station in Missoula during the week. Can you? And Jon and Courtney, congratulations on yet another merit badge. CPR and Dutch oven cooking are next.
Comment By Stevi Girl, 7-10-09Wow Bill --- "BITTER, TABLE FOR ONE!"
Congrats New West! Love your site!
Steve Girl, Not really. It's just that you guys lack a sense of humor. I can't help you with that; either you've got it or you don't.
Comment By Boroke, 7-13-09Croke does have a point, after all, Amy Linn, who wrote this story, used to work for the Missoula Independent.
Comment By Amy Linn, 7-13-09To all: I did work for the Independent last year and currently do sporadic copy editing for Montana Headwall a few times a year. (It's a small town, so it's tough for freelancers if we don't work for everyone we can.) No hidden agendas -- I swear on a stack of Indy's. I praised the Independent staff because I admire their work and I've seen how hard it is to run the contest. But I also take conflict of interest very seriously, and will have someone else at New West pen the next award write-up, etc. Thanks for keeping me on my toes.
Comment By Bill Croke, 7-13-09Ah-ha. I knew it. Hey, when am I going to get my award for pointed sarcasm?. I'll settle for cash. Take up a collection.
Comment By Tamara Rollins, 7-14-09Amy Linn you are a hero to us all.
I want to have your baby.