Oelwein Daily Register reporter Taylor Nohrenberg brought home a first-place award Thursday evening during the Iowa Newspaper Association’s (INA) 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest and an honorable mention in the Iowa College Media Association contest.
First-place for Class IV Best News Feature was awarded to the submission “A fitting farewell: Puff brought to rest by his ponies” for coverage of Dr. Mike Puff’s passing and the community filled with both hope and sadness surrounding his day of rest.
“I can’t take all the credit,” Nohrenberg said Friday morning. “I think it was a sign from above that helped the judges in their decision — and we have a great team of writers here at the Register to make a story what it’s meant to be. I am grateful to the INA for the award in my first year of my job, and I have high hopes for the future of our publications. I look forward to telling Oelwein’s stories for years to come.”
“The best thing an editor can do is not pull back on the reins when a reporter’s creative juices flow to the keyboard. In Taylor’s instance, that was literally as well as metaphorically. She continues to share her passion for journalism and brings great positive energy to our editorial team. We are all so proud of her award. It stands testament to all of her hard work,” said Deb Kunkle, Daily Register editor.
Oelwein Daily Register was accompanied to the contest by Regional Publisher Tracy Cummings and other creative, passionate employees that help lay the foundations of some of our sister papers: Waverly Newspapers’ reporter Elizabeth Bingham, General Manager Melaine Buzynski and graphic designer Carrie Wright, Vinton Newspapers’ editor Amy Stourac and Independence Bulletin Journal graphic designer Carrie Hendricks.
“I’m so proud of Taylor and grateful to have her as a part of our news team!” Cummings said. “She is a hard worker and a dedicated journalist! Congratulations! Keep up the hard work.”
Five other first-place awards, including a Class IV Best of Class in Advertising award brought home by the IBJ, were awarded, which are: Best Ad Featuring Misc. — IBJ; Best Special Section Advertising — IBJ; Coverage of Agriculture — Vinton Newspapers; Best Special Section — Editorial — Waverly Newspapers; and Best Sports Columnist — Vinton Newspapers.
Six second-place and three third-place awards were received as well. Waverly Newspapers former editor Anelia Dimitrova took home 2025 Master Editor Publisher.
