News Release Details

ESCONDIDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 2003--Two journalists from the North County Times received Lee Enterprises President's Awards today for outstanding localized coverage of the war in Iraq.

Reporter Darrin Mortenson and photographer Hayne Palmour were presented the awards in a surprise staff ceremony by Greg R. Veon, Lee vice president for publishing, on behalf of Mary Junck, Lee president, chairman and chief executive officer.

"For the North County Times, the war in Iraq was a local story, especially so with thousands of Marines from Camp Pendleton on the front lines." Veon said. "To a large degree also, it was a local story for all of Lee's 44 daily newspapers across the country, with families and friends anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones. Darrin and Hayne provided that news in the most meaningful, compelling and unforgettable ways our readers could have imagined. In fact, readers gave us precisely that message over and over, overwhelmingly here in Southern California, and also from Oregon to New York."

Mortenson and Palmour were embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, known as the Thundering Third. They accompanied the troops from Kuwait to Baghdad, reporting on everyday life of the soldiers, including fears, hopes, hardships and acts of bravery and compassion. The stories and photographs appeared in many Lee newspapers and websites, and can be viewed at www.nctimes.net.

In addition to crystal engravings, Mortenson and Palmour received cash awards of $2,500 each.

"One of our top priorities in Lee is to emphasize strong local news," Junck said. "In the most challenging of circumstances, Darrin and Hayne demonstrated daily that we can excel at that ideal even 8,000 miles away. They've helped us set our standards even higher."

The President's Award is Lee's highest employee honor. Other 2003 recipients for Excellence in News, Innovation and Lee Spirit will be honored this fall.

Lee Enterprises is based in Davenport, Iowa, and is the premier publisher of daily newspapers in midsize markets. Lee owns 38 daily newspapers and a joint interest in six others, along with associated online services. Lee also publishes more than 175 weekly newspapers, shoppers and classified and specialty publications. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. More information about Lee Enterprises is available at www.lee.net.

CONTACT:
Lee Enterprises, Davenport
Dan Hayes
563-383-2100
dan.hayes@lee.net www.lee.net