Every year, community newspapers from around the country submit their best editions and hope to be chosen for the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards (CCNA) with gold, silver, bronze or blue ribbon awards in 33 unique categories.

The Valley Echo submitted two editions of the newspaper for the 2013 awards, and got word this week that they were chosen to receive the blue ribbon for general excellence in their circulation category. The 2013 competition saw over 250 non-daily publications from coast-to-coast submit 2,222 entries representing their best work from 2012.

Columbia Valley Pioneer reporter, Kristian Rasmussen, also received gold for best historical story in their circulation category.