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A9 - Thar nne'Iinnrlhnmninn Wadnacrî2v Aiànmjt PO 2008I Champion wî, ns top awa rd Report erfeature on Crime Stoppers of Halton receives international recognition It's great when the Champion is able to help promote Crime Stoppers' cause through a compelling story When we win an international award for doing so - well, thaCs even better. Milton's local paper was mnformed Friday it had heen recognized with a media award ai Crime Stoppers' world- wide confcrence, competing against more than a thousand papers from more than 30 different countries. The award for. 'Best Newspaper Special Report or Feature" was present- ed for a story written by reporter Stephanie Hounseil in Fehruar)y 2007. "This is a big deal to take top hon- ours in ibis competition," said Tom Suddaby, chair of Halions Crime Sioppers program. "Its truly world class recognition." Hounselî's story announced the appoinîmeni of Sgt. Gary Gold as the new co-ordmnator of Crime Stoppers of Halion and detaiîed bis desire for the organization to have a stronger rapport with high scbool students. The award was announced recently at the 29th annual Crime Sioppers international conference in Iowa. The Champions sister newspaper the Georgetown Acton Independent Free Press, was also recognized, taking the award for "Best Newspaper Crime of the Week" for hîgblighting the theft of a bronze memorial marker. ht had been insialled ai a local park in memory of a former Citizen of the Year in Acton who died afier a hrief battle with leukemia. The winnîng submissions were judged in the category for communities witb populations of hetween 400,001 and 750,000; Haltons population is about 440,000. Suddaby said bes grateful for the sirong media support Crime Stoppers of Halton bas received. "We would not be as effective witb- out iheir support," he said. David Harvey, general manager of the Champion, said be too is happy witb the ongomng partnersbip. "The Champion is pleased to he ahle to assisi Crime Stoppers in its ongoing effort to solve cnimes within our com- munity. Uli.imately, we ail share the same goal - to make our great com- munity a safe place to live and work. This recognition is also a reflection of our dedîcated edîtonial team memhers who ensure that ail of the local news is covered effectively and efficiently" Plaques will be presented later ibis month to represeniatives of the Champion and the Indepcndent Fre Press at Halton Regional Police head- quarters; in Oakville. k