ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Observer continues its winning tradition with seven awards from the N.C. Press Association.
Competing in the online division, the RO earned three first-place, two second-place and two third-place awards — with six going to Managing Editor William R. Toler.
Although Sports Editor Kyle Pillar did not enter this year, four of Toler’s awards are in sports categories.
Toler placed first and second in Sports Photography from his coverage of the first race in the Crown 9 Championship Series and the final two rounds of MB Drift’s competitive series, respectively, both at Rockingham Speedway.
He also won second in Sports News Reporting for an article regarding the promoter of “Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings" questioning a return to Rockingham Dragway after Bryan Land charged spectators for parking in a nearby lot; and third for his coverage of the 2024 Crown 9 series.
“I guess I need to stop saying, ‘I’m not really a sports guy,’” Toler joked after seeing the contest results.
This is Toler’s fourth consecutive year earning honors in sports. He placed first and third in Sports News Reporting in 2022, first in Sports News Reporting in 2023, and third in Sports Photography in 2024 — all for coverage at the speedway.
Toler’s other awards included first place for Headline Writing and third for City/County Government reporting. The latter was regarding the Richmond County Board of Commissioners’ public appearance policy.
Toler was the second-place finalist for the AP's Senator Sam Open Government Award in 2018 for a pair of stories on the former policy.
The RO also placed first in community coverage for the second time, the first being in 2023.
“This award shows our commitment to trying to provide Richmond County with the news that’s going on around them,” Toler said.
Toler has been honored with 39 journalism awards — including one shared with contributor Wally Reaves — from the NCPA, N.C. Associated Press and N.C. BAR Association since moving to Richmond County in 2014.
The NCPA — established in 1873 — boasts more than 150 member publications, both print and online.
This year’s entries were judged by the Nebraska Press Association.
Winners of the NCPA’s 2025 Editorial and Photojournalism Contest were notified via email on Friday. All awards, including General Excellence, will be announced at the annual convention Sept. 18 in Cary.
