The Ridgewood News seized seven awards in this year's prestigious New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) journalism contest. Winners were announced at NJPA's annual Press Night April 2.

"With more than 1500 entries from around the state, winning seven awards is quite an accomplishment," said Janice Friedman, publisher of The Ridgewood News, a publication of the Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group (NJMG). "Our staff strives for excellence in writing and design. We constantly make improvements to better serve Ridgewood and the surrounding communities."

In addition to The Ridgewood News awards, NJMG's Bergen County community newspapers garnered 46 awards in this year's contest, a remarkable showing. Winners included Suburban News, Glen Rock Gazette, Northern Valley, Suburbanite, Teaneck Suburbanite, Community Life, Town News, Fort Lee Suburbanite, Hackensack Chronicle, and South Bergenite.

NJPA's Better Newspaper Contest began 75 years ago and today is the largest in state awards, including online, photography, design and news writing. Below is a list of The Ridgewood News' awards:

Packaging the News Product, General Typography & Layout of Entire Paper First Place
Staff,
The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Responsible Journalism, Enterprise Second Place
"Lawsuit Claims Village Broke Secret Promise",
Kipp Clark,
The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Reporting, Writing and Illustration, Column Writing
Second Place
"A Time To Celebrate How Far We've Come", "My First Sense Of What The Pilgrims Meant"
Mike Daly,
The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Packaging the News Product, Front Page Layout
Second Place
Staff,
The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Packaging the News Product, Editorial Section Layout & Content
Second Place
Susan Leigh Sherrill, The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Packaging the News Product, Sports Section Layout & Content Weekly, under 4,500,
Second Place
Brian Farrell, Greg Tartaglia, The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

Reporting, Writing and Illustration, Interpretive Writing
Third Place
"Village Moves to condemn Properties",
Kipp Clark,
The Ridgewood News, Community Newspapers of North Jersey Media Group

To subscribe to The Ridgewood News for only 38 cents per week,, call 1-888-504-4280 or pick up a subscription form at our local news office: 41 Oak Street, Ridgewood.