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Town & Country News brings home provincial awards

June 12, 2025

By: Town & Country News Staff

Town & Country News has been recognized by the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA) for its excellence in news and photography in 2024.

Attendees heard the new 9,000 sqm complex would offer 16-hour Advanced Ambulatory Care, emergency medical services (EMS) and other collaborative health services, including 32 lower acuity/restorative care beds. (Photo by Austin Payeur)

Not a hospital: A complementary service to GPRH published July 4 by Austin Payeur was named Best Local News Story by the provincial association in 2024.   

“Congrats to the newsroom for following this story and covering the many voices involved. The passion of the community spilled over in your news and op-ed pages,” wrote the judges. The award was sponsored by Mount Royal University.

Not a hospital chronicled the vocal standing-room-only crowd in a June 26 public open house where the packed house demanded answers in Beaverlodge when it learned the replacement for the aging hospital will not include a 24-hour emergency department (ED).

Ultimately, Alberta Health Services announced later in the year Mountview had been upgraded to a 24 Hour Urgent Care Centre with 32 inpatient beds, lab services, diagnostic imaging and EMS.

“I’m very proud of our team here at Town & Country News,” said News publisher/editor Rebecca Dika.

The small news team - Jesse Boily and Austin Payeur - deliver a significant scope of work, said Dika. 

 “Jesse and Austin work hard week in and week out to bring in-depth stories and features no one else is telling.” 

Grande Prairie Sirens Chennel Cornwall pushes through the St. Albert RFC defence during the Edmonton Rugby Union Division 2 championships at Macklin Field in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. The Sirens won the Jo Reinbold Cup 41-10. (Photo by Jesse Boily)

Jesse’s Rugby Roust topped 37 other entries from newspapers of all sizes to win Best Sports Photo of 2025. Published Sept. 19, judges said his shot of Grande Prairie Sirens’ match against the St. Albert RFC in Grande Prairie Sept. 14 captured “intense action and emotion”. 

Jesse's story County fire dog more than a mascot got an honourable mention in the AWNA Best Feature Story category. (Photo by Jesse Boily)

Jesse’s piece, County fire dog more than a mascot (Aug. 22) received an honourable mention in the Best Feature Story category.

Your local community weekly also pulled in more hardware on the photography side. 

The photo spread from the July 4 issue that won second place in the multi-photo category at the AWNA awards.

Jesse also earned a second-place spot in the multi-photo category for his work Rio Grande Rodeo gets muddy as well the third spot alongside Austin for their photo layout covering the Alberta Winter Games weekend published Feb. 22.  

The photo spread from the Feb. 22 issue that won third place in the multi-photo category at the AWNA awards.

“Town & Country News is recognized year over year for our excellence in local journalism,” said Dika. “Now more than ever it is gratifying to see that being rewarded.” 

The entries are judged by an independent panel comprised of SAIT, Mount University and Lethbridge College instructors, newspaper publishers in other provinces and representatives of weekly newspaper associations in other provinces.

The AWNA represents 79 community newspaper titles.