Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Ventura County Star Entry Title: Simi Valley defies state over 278-unit apartment complex Entry Credit: Erin Rode Judge Comment: The writer did a great job covering all perspectives surrounding a controversial housing project, including months of foot-dragging by the Simi Valley City Council.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: CalMatters Entry Title: Battle at the Beach Entry Credit: Julie Cart Judge Comment: This two-part series on Oceano Dunes' state -- among residents, tourists, and even between two different government agencies -- clearly and succinctly lays out the different facets for the reader.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Voice of OC Entry Title: Annual High Tide Spurs Concerns About Future Safety of San Onofre Nuclear Waste Stock Near South OC Entry Credit: Brandon Pho Judge Comment: Video, maps, and great photography helped illustrate this story and its importance.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Ventura County Star Entry Title: Housing advocacy group and developer sue Simi Valley over denial of senior community Entry Credit: Erin Rode Judge Comment: None
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Press Democrat Entry Title: A month later, burn scar of Walbridge fire spans northwestern Sonoma County Entry Credit: Mary Callahan, Kent Porter, Elissa Chudwin Judge Comment: None
