Karen Petit and Louise (her new dog) A news story on the Westminster Dog Show that appeared exclusively in The Columbia Star is one of three nominees for the “Best Feature or News Story” for 2009 by the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA).

The article, “Columbia dog lovers get a bite of the big time” by Columbia author Karen Petit, ran Feb. 20, 2009. The winning entry in the newspaper category will be announced Feb. 14, 2010, at the DWAA annual awards banquet in New York City, the evening before the 134th Westminster Dog Show opens on Monday, Feb. 15.

Petit is the creator of

the Shandon’s Ivy League

mystery series for young readers.