The Mills Trophy, awarded to the top weekly each year, was established in 1982 in honor of the late Charles Edward Mills who founded the Montevideo American-News. Four sons and three grandsons listed on the trophy have all been publishers of Minnesota newspapers and three, Russell, L.D. “Tip” and Everett S. Mills were the only brother combination ever to serve as presidents of the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
Recipients:
1981-1982 Paynesville Press
1982-1983 Monticello Times
1983-1984 Brownton Bulletin
1984-1985 Monticello Times
1985-1986 McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe
1986-1987 Monticello Times
1987-1988 Monticello Times
1988-1989 Monticello Times
1989-1990 Monticello Times
1990-1991 Norwood-Young America Times
1991-1992 Dakota County Tribune, Burnsville
1992-1993 Byron Review
1993-1994 Kerkhoven Banner
1994-1995 Detroit Lakes Tribune
1995-1996 Detroit Lakes Tribune
1996-1997 Jackson County Pilot
1997-1998 Jackson County Pilot
1998-1999 Chaska Herald
1999-2000 St. Peter Herald
2000-2001 Observer/Advocate, Mountain Lake
2001-2002 Echo Press, Alexandria
2002-2003 Litchfield Independent Review
2003-2004 Echo Press, Alexandria
2004-2005 Hutchinson Leader
2005-2006 Stillwater Courier
2006-2007 Stillwater Courier
2007-2008 Northfield News
2008-2009 Ely Timberjay
2009-2010 Hutchinson Leader
2011-2012 Detroit Lakes Tribune
2012-2013 Detroit Lakes Tribune
2013-2014 Jackson County Pilot
2014-2015 Detroit Lakes Tribune
2015-2016 Detroit Lakes Tribune
2016-2017 Stillwater Gazette
2017-2018 Detroit Lakes Tribune & Echo Press, Alexandria (Tie)
2018-2019 Echo Press (Alexandria)
2019-2020 Pine Knot News, Cloquet
2020-2021 Pine Knot News, Cloquet