Curwood story earns reporter top award

Independent & Free Press reporter Lisa Tallyn's report on the closing of Curwood Packaging Ltd. last year, and its impact on local workers, earned her a provincial newspaper award Saturday.

Published Feb. 17, 2006, the story detailed how Curwood workers dealt with the sudden closing of the Armstrong Avenue plant--a move that resulted in the loss of 137 jobs.

Tallyn's story was named the Best Business and Finance Story at the Ontario Community Newspapers Association's annual award night in Niagara Falls.

"The faces from photographer Sabrina Byrnes draw a reader in--three normal looking guys soon to be out of a job. They dominate the front page of The Independent in a style that's straight-forward and effective and stays with you. The story by Lisa Tallyn more than backed that visual impression with quotes from affected workers bringing out the personal end of those who would be finished when Curwood Packaging Ltd. closed its doors," said judge Rod Link of the Terrace Standard in Terrace, B.C.

Tallyn's article was judged the best among 56 entries. The OCNA awards are held annually to recognize journalistic excellence among Ontario's community newspapers.

Independent & Free Press reporter Lisa Tallyn accepts her OCNA award for Best Business and Finance story from Bob Doornenbal, past president of the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association, at Saturday's awards night in Niagara Falls.