A buck in Bangor: The Bangor Daily News found space in its pages in recent days for stories on the escalating cost of oil and gasoline. But apparently it didn’t have room for any mention of the thirty-three percent increase in its own cover price.

The unannounced hike to a dollar leaves the Lewiston Sun Journal as the only morning paper in the state still charging seventy-five cents.

Polk folk: As a rule, I don’t waste space here by mentioning journalism awards, because most of them are handed out for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the work. Instead, they’re offered in so many categories that every entrant is virtually assured of winning something (Best Feature Story on Pet Rodents That Do Humorous Tricks) or they’re influenced by internal politics to make sure the plaques get spread around to as many mediocre news outlets as possible.

The George Polk Awards handed out by Long Island University are an exception. The Polks, which honor quality journalism regardless of the medium, have a reputation for citing those who’ve done work on significant stories and done it well. It’s an award for reporting that’s made a difference. So, when somebody from Maine wins one (and my research didn’t turn up any examples of that ever happening before), I’ll make an exception to my no-mention rule.

A.M. Sheehan and Matt Hongoltz-Hetling, editor and assistant editor respectively of the Advertiser Democrat in Norway, took home the 2011 Polk for local reporting for their coverage of abuses in low-income housing programs. 

Their fine work had a statewide impact, resulting in improvements for tenants in substandard apartments and upheaval in the bureaucracy that was supposed to be overseeing this taxpayer-supported initiative.

For once, some well-deserved recognition.

Speaking of stupid animal stories: Headline from the Portland Press Herald website on Feb. 21: 

“Sturgeon in Charles River cheers aquatic experts”

The fish also offered polite applause to novices.

Speaking of internal politics: Blogger and newspaper vet Randy Seaver has a fascinating take on the journalistic and political implications in Biddeford-Saco of David Flood’s return to publishing in a posting headlined “Extra, Extra! This is fargin’ war!”

Fargin’? I didn’t realize there was such a Cuban influence in York County. 

Al Diamon can be emailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.

The views expressed on this Web site are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Down East Enterprise or its employees.