The Observer
The official newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford
An award winning newspaper since 1976
Northern Illinois University Journalism Department Awards (NINA)
2007
Amanda Hudson --Honorable Mention -- Best Regular Column on Spiritual Life
Gary Haughton/Penny Wiegert -- Honorable Mention -- Best Promotional House Ad (Keep Watching)
Gary Haughton/Penny Wiegert -- Honorable Mention -- Best Promotional House Ad (The Wait is Almost Over)
Gary Haughton -- Honorable Mention -- Best Single Ad (b&w)
2006
The Observer -- First Place -- Spot News Story
Gary Haugton/Penny Wiegert – First Place – Large Advertisement (The Right Path
Gary Haughton/Dave Hougan -- Second Place -- Large Single Advertisement
Penny Wiegert -- Third Place -- Spot News Story
2005
The Observer -- First Place -- Religion Reporting
Gary Haughton -- Third Place -- Large Advertisement
2004
Gary Haughton/Penny Wiegert -- Honorable Mention -- Large Advertisement
2003
Owen Phelps -- First Place -- Column
Amanda Hudson -- Honorable Mention -- Personality Feature
2002
Owen Phelps -- First Place -- Column
Owen Phelps -- Second Place -- In-Depth News Story
Amanda Hudson -- Third Place -- Spot News Photo
Owen Phelps -- Third Place -- Personality Feature
2001
Penny Wiegert -- Second Place -- News Story Series
2000
The Observer -- First Place -- In-Depth News Story
1999
The Observer -- First Place -- Column
1998
Amanda Hudson -- Third Place -- Science/Technology
Penny Wiegert/Sharon Boehlefeld -- Honorable Mention -- Single Advertisement
1994
Amanda Hudson -- Second Place -- Other Feature
1993
The Observer -- First Place -- Advertising Special Section
1985
The Observer -- First Place -- Best Local News Story
1984
The Observer -- Second Place -- Single Advertisement
1982
The Observer -- Honorable Mention -- Public Service
1980
The Observer -- Honorable Mention -- Make-Up and Appearance
1976
The Observer -- Honorable Mention -- Best Single Features
Catholic Press Association Journalism Awards (CPA)
2006
Amanda Hudson -- Honorable Mention -- Best Reporting on Senior Citizens
2001
Penny Wiegert -- First Place -- Best Feature Writing
1991
The Observer -- First Place -- Best Single Ad
1986
The Observer -- Second Place -- Best Special Section
Owen Phelps -- Third Place -- Best Regular Column
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith
Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Award
2003
Penny Wiegert -- Honorable Mention -- Mission Series (Profiles of Peru)