LITTLE ROCK — Reporters Amy Upshaw and C.S. Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette won the I.F. Stone Award for investigative reporting at the annual Arkansas Press Association luncheon Saturday in Tunica, honoring journalists from the Natural State.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette won 11 first-place awards, in addition to the investigative reporting award, for in-depth series reporting, sports news story, sports column, news/political column, general interest column, headline writing, picture page/photo essay, coverage of business/agricuture, coverage of education and best web design.
Upshaw and Murphy were recognized for a six-part series called “Losing ’Letta” on the quest to identify the 30-year-old year remains of a young girl.
The series “struck the judges as a great example of exactly the sort of journalism that newspapers do best,” according to the press association’s Facebook page.
The 2010 Tri-State Convention, co-hosted by the press associations of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, was held at Harrah’s Veranda Hotel and MidSouth Convention Center in Tunica.
The following first-place awards were announced:
NEWS STORY
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Molly Fleming, State of emergency.
Medium Dailies: Harrison Daily Times; Ginger Shiras; Attorney arrested after drug raid.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Lynn LaRowe; Alamo receives 175 years in jail.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal, Rick Joslin, White Hall Ministerial Alliance.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Kenneth Fry; Faith renewed in search for Morgan.
Larger Weeklies: Maumelle Monitor, Bill Lawson; Maumelle man gunned down.
FEATURE STORY
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Jillian Duke, Road Warrior.
Medium Dailies: Harrison Daily Times, David Holsted, Fred Woehl’s on the farm in e-i-e-Iraq.
Larger Dailies: The Morning News, Springdale, Doug Thompson, Soldiers’ Stories.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, Annette Beard, Every pint of blood donated.
Medium Weeklies: McGehee-Dermott Times-News, Rachel Denton Freeze, A boy and his dog.
Larger Weeklies: Carroll County News Midweek, Berryville, Anna Mathews, Shop with a cop.
IN-DEPTH SERIES REPORTING
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Lynda Hollenbeck, Ex-music minister charged.
Medium Dailies: Evening Times, West Memphis, Trip Cook, Mike Douglas, Jericho police.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Cathy Frye, John Krupa, Bruised and bloodied.
Smaller Weeklies: Lafayette County Press, Stamps, Tommy Goodwin, Garland Mayor, Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Lareign Ward, Mountainburg in uproar.
Larger Weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Jeff Della Rosa, FOI violated.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Small and Medium Dailies: Benton Courier, Lynda Hollenbeck, Kristal Kuykendall, Molly Fleming, Caroline Zilk, A taxing question of safety.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Amy Upshaw, C.S. Murphy, Losing ’Letta. (Winner of the IF Stone Award) Small and Medium Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp, VAS Ambulance Service.
Larger Weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Kyle Mooty, St. Paul faculty member.
SPORTS NEWS STORY
Smaller Dailies: Times-Herald, Forrest City, Fred Conley, Topseeded Mustangs survive in OT.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Michael Allen, Season Finale.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Doug Crise, An Arkansas Classic.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal, Rick Joslin, Barking loud.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, George “Clay” Mitchell, Alma clinches third state title.
Larger Weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Kelly Fenton, Devils get their due.
SPORTS FEATURE STORY
Smaller Dailies: Blytheville Courier News, Mark Brasfield, 1989Chicks special group.
Medium Dailies: Pine Bluff Commercial, Troy Schulte, Going home again.
Larger Dailies: Jonesboro Sun, Ben Cowens, Mended Warrior.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal, Rick Joslin, Bulldog’s Luke.
Medium Weeklies: Nashville Leader, Emily Alexander, That’s his style.
Larger Weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Graham Thomas, Band of Brothers.
SPORTS COLUMN
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Sam Pierce, Shot clock needed.
Medium Dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Tony McGuffy, Turns fishing world upside down.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wally Hall, Green is the color.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, John McGee, Senior Lady Hawks.
Medium Weeklies: Wynne Progress, James Jennings, Checking in.
Larger Weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Graham Thomas, The year of the Div. 1 athlete.
EDITORIAL
Smaller Dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Janie Ginnochio, A compelling public interest.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Rick Fahr, Pressing issue.
Larger Dailies: The Morning News, Springdale, Brenda Blagg, Someone already won the new lottery.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, Annette Beard, VAS board must lift veil.
Medium Weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins, Slammin’ SEARK.
Larger Weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, John Hofheimer, PCSSD puts students last.
NEWS/POLITICAL COLUMN
Smaller Dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Monica Hooper, Jonesboro’s witch trials of 1994.
Medium Dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Larry Stroud, What was this menace thinking?
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Paul Greenberg, Ideology vs. Principle.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, Annette Beard, Take time to vote.
Medium Weeklies: Wynne Progress, James Jennings, Checking in.
Larger Weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, John Dilmore, Be it resolved to not shop local?
GENERAL INTEREST COLUMN
Smaller Dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Scott Perkins, Cherished conversations.
Medium Dailies: Harrison Daily Times, Celia DeWoody, Freedom and joy.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Paul Greenberg, The old lady in black.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal, Wayne A. Norton, Daughter’s compassion.
Medium Weeklies: DeWitt Era-Enterprise, C.F. Scott, I’m a fan of The Other Woman.
Larger Weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mt. View, Gary Keith, Sacrifices remembered.
HUMOROUS COLUMN
Smaller Dailies: The Daily Record, Little Rock, Jay Edwards, Are we there yet?
Medium Dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, P.J. Sullivan, Traveling with Felines.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Les Minor, And the winner is.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal, Rick Joslin, Just Joshin’.
Medium Weeklies: McGehee-Dermott Times-News, Rachel Denton Freeze, The Great Napkin Scandal.
Larger Weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mt. View, Gary Keith, Males need ‘enhancement.’
HEADLINE WRITING
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Richard Duke, Mound Control.
Medium Dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Chris Qualls, H2Oh no!.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Paul Sawyer, No rest for the wicket.
Smaller Weeklies: Chicot County Spectator, Lake Village, Whitney White, Elderly woman attacked after showing kindness.
Medium Weeklies: Booneville Democrat, Glenn M. Parrish, Organic approach berry, berry good. Larger Weeklies: Sun-Times, Heber Springs, Lorie Thompson, Penny drive leads to ‘hairy’ ending.
SINGLE NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
Smaller Dailies: Blytheville Courier News, Mark Brasfield, Tense times on West Street.
Medium Dailies: Pine Bluff Commercial, Ralph Fitzgerald, Standoff ends peacefully (APA 2009 Photo of the Year Winner).
Larger Dailies: The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Richard Rasmussen, Hands Up!.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge,Annette Beard, Dangerous Road. Medium Weeklies: Courier-Index, Marianna, Edie Sanford, Memorial service.
Larger Weeklies: Sun-Times, Heber Springs, Louis Short, Internet predators arrested.
SINGLE FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
Smaller Dailies: Blytheville Courier News, Aaron FitzPatrick, Eyes of the Ritz.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Liberty Parks, Annual Wooster Independence Day.
Larger Dailies: Benton County Daily Record, Bentonville, Charles Fowler, In your face.
Smaller Weeklies: Gentry Courier-Journal, Randy Moll, Master gardener.
Medium Weeklies: DeWitt Era-Enterprise, C.F. Scott, Helllppp!!!
Larger Weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Mike Haley, Remembering Micah.
SINGLE SPORTS ACTION PHOTOGRAPH
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Richard Duke, Boys of summer.
Medium Dailies: Pine Bluff Commercial, Ralph Fitzgerald, Holding the line.
Larger Dailies: Jonesboro Sun, James Byard, Prep soccer teams invade.
Smaller Weeklies: Gentry Courier-Journal, Randy Moll, Pole vaulting.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, George “Clay” Mitchell, Dodder Green of Mulberry.
Larger Weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Mike Haley, This can’t end good.
SINGLE SPORTS FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
Smaller Dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Chad Miller, It didn’t get away.
Medium Dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Chris Vinn, XYZ.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Evan Lewis, The Uplifters.
Smaller Weeklies: Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend, Bobby Stapleton, Let the celebration begin.
Medium Weeklies: Nashville Leader, John R. Schirmer, Night of celebration.
Larger Weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Graham Thomas, Band of Brothers.
PICTURE PAGE/PHOTO ESSAY
Smaller Dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Clifton Garmrath, Mike McKinney, To the top.
Medium Dailies: Pine Bluff Commercial, Ralph Fitzgerald, Zebras contained by cats.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, John Sykes Jr., Dune Desire.
Smaller Weeklies: Chicot County Spectator, Lake Village, Whitney White, Fall Fest.
Medium Weeklies: Courier-Index, Marianna, Edie Sanford, Tribute to 1st Lt. Tyler Parten.
Larger Weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Kyle Mooty, Catherine Ross, Mike Haley, Michelle Donahoe, Cara Harriman, Lori Lester, Mother Nature’s Artwork.
BEST FRONT PAGE
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Kristal Kuykendall, Courier staff.
Medium Dailies: The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, Jason Wilson.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Andrea Miller, Danielle Dupree.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge.
Medium Weeklies: Courier-Index, Marianna.
Larger Weeklies: The Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Douglas Grant.
BEST FEATURES PAGE
Small and Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Danielle Dupree, Judy Morgan.
Small and Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Kenneth Fry, Jenny McClure, Lareign Ward.
Larger Weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mountain View.
BEST SPORTS PAGE
Smaller Dailies: Stuttgart Daily Leader.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Mark Burke, Adam Sweeney.
Larger Dailies: Times Record, Fort Smith, Eric Burney, Jeff Brasher.
Small and Medium Weeklies: Dover Times, Joseph Brown.
Larger Weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Kelly Fenton, Todd Traub.
BEST SPECIAL ISSUE
Smaller Dailies: Stuttgart Daily Leader, Wings over Prairie.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Kris Allen.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Inauguration Edition.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge, Letters to Santa.
Medium Weeklies: Nashville Leader, Football.
Larger Weeklies: The Times Dispatch, Walnut Ridge, Ice storm.
COVERAGE OF BUSINESS/ AGRICULTURE
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Jillian Duke, Whit Jones, Molly M. Fleming.
Medium Dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Larry Stroud, Tony McGuffey, Andrea Bruner, Lacy Mitchell.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Smaller Weeklies: Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend, Karen Johnson, Charlet Estes.
Medium Weeklies: DeWitt Era-Enterprise, Christina Verderosa.
Larger Weeklies: Carroll County News Midweek, Berryville, Anna Mathews, Mike Ellis, Kathryn Lucariello, E. Alan Long.
COVERAGE OF EDUCATION
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier, Molly M. Flemming, Matt Burks, Melissa Walls.
Medium Dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Michael Neary, Janie McIntyre.
Larger Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Smaller Weeklies: Chicot County Spectator, Lake Village, Whitney White.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Kenneth Fry, Lareign Ward.
Larger Weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Kyle Mooty.
COVERAGE OF TOURISM
Small and Medium Dailies: The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home.
Larger Dailies: The Morning News, Springdale, Doug Thompson, Dan Craft, Caleb Fort, John Gore.
Small and Medium Weeklies: Chicot County Spectator, Lake Village.
Larger Weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mountain View.
COMMUNITY COVERAGE
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway.
Larger Dailies: Jonesboro Sun.
Smaller Weeklies: White Hall Journal.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren.
Larger Weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville.
EDITORIAL CARTOONIST PORTFOLIO
The Times, North Little Rock, Vic Harville.
BEST WEB DESIGN
All Dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
All Weeklies: Ashley County Ledger, Hamburg, David Moyers.
FREELANCE WRITING
Small and Medium Dailies: The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, Deb Peterson, Move over Beethoven.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette, Neil Abeles, The search for Jay Ransom.
Smaller Weeklies: White River Valley News, Elkins, Tamara Bartlett-Long, Possible legislation. Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Lisa Y. Darden, Back to school for recentgraduates.
Larger Weeklies: The Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Jan Burgess, Kids can school parents.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE
Smaller Dailies: Benton Courier.
Medium Dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway.
Larger Dailies: Texarkana Gazette.
Smaller Weeklies: The Times of NE Benton County, Pea Ridge.
Medium Weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren.
Larger Weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville.
Front Section, Pages 5 on 06/27/2010