Wise News Network Wins NC Press Award

Rusty Wise, Ashley Reep, Lauren Ramsey, and Mason Beam (L-R) with the award at the NCPA Awards Ceremony. September 18th,2025

Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2025 2:09 pm

Major Fire at Woodmill Winery, Cause Under Investigation

By: Wise News Network Staff

Cary, NC (WNN)— Wise News Network was honored with an Award at the 2025 North Carolina Press Association Convention. The ceremony occurred on September 18th, 2025, at the Embassy Suites in Cary, NC, during the association's 152nd convention.

WNN's Rusty Wise receiving the award from the NC Press Association - September 18th, 2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

About the Award

The award is categorised as Best Editorial Contest—"Photography, General News" Online Division. The photo that won, seen below, is from the Shriners Hospitals for Children Music Fest, held on May 25th, 2024. The festival was held at Woodmill Winery in Vale, NC. It shows their new outdoor concert venue, Woodmill Music Works, with a covered stage, rear artist area, and concession building.

Award Winning Photo - The view from the Woodmill Winery deck to the music venue "Woodmill Music Works" in Vale, NC. May 25th, 2024

Rusty Wise (WNN)

Ironic Events

The award-winning picture by WNN's Rusty Wise was taken from the Woodmill Winery main building in May 2024. Tragically, just a couple of weeks ago, the main building burned to the ground.

Rusty Wise commented, "WNN is proud to receive this award from the North Carolina Press Association. I was shocked, especially since the place burned down earlier this month, and we were notified about the award back in the summer before the fire. Ironic to say the least."

Left Photo taken May 25th, 2024 - Right Photo taken September 2nd, 2025 After the Fire - Woodmill Winery, Vale NC

Rusty Wise (WNN)

This Year's Event

The 2025 NC Press Association received over 4,000 entries from over 125 newspapers and news organizations in North Carolina. The Nebraska Press Association judged the entries during June 2025, with the judges' remarks, "very pretty photo, colorful" for the WNN award-winning photo.