The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette won the general excellence award and was named sweepstakes winner in the largest circulation category in the Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Association journalism contest for work done in 2015.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette staff received a total of 18 first-place awards, including general excellence.
The Sentinel-Record of Hot Springs, a sister paper of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, won the general excellence award and was the sweepstakes winner in the midrange circulation category. The Sentinel-Record also won the Mark Twain Award, awarded by the Arkansas AP staff to recognize contributions to the AP's news report in the state.
In the smallest circulation category, the Saline Courier in Benton was named sweepstakes winner and the Times-Herald in Forrest City received the general excellence award.
The general excellence award is given on the basis of a newspaper's performance over three editions. The sweepstakes award is based on points received for winners in all categories.
The winners were honored Saturday at a gathering in Little Rock. The contest was judged by staff members at Associated Press-member newspapers in Oklahoma.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was recognized with first places in writing categories such as education and business reporting, political reporting, news feature, spot news, sports feature, sports story and sports column. Photographer Benjamin Krain took home two awards, for feature sports and spot sports photo. The newspaper was honored with awards for service to freedom of information laws and community service.
The Little Rock-based newspaper also won the top prize in specialized categories: page design, headlines and graphics. Its online arm won both of the digital categories.
The full list of winners -- showing the category, staff member, publication and the title of the entry -- follows:
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
(Circulation of more than 15,001 daily)
BEAT REPORTING -- 1, Becky Bell, Texarkana Gazette; 2, Hunter Field, The Jonesboro Sun, $22,000 in JP wages may be illegal/County will pay JPs for absences; 3, Lynn LaRowe, Texarkana Gazette.
BUSINESS REPORTING -- 1, Chris Bahn, Robbie Neiswanger, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, UA joins wave on sports suites; 2, Cyd King, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tax-credit limit felt downtown; 3, Chris Bahn, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wal-Mart tapping into high-tech Silicon Valley.
COLUMN-HARD NEWS -- 1, Les Minor, Texarkana Gazette, Oops, official gets singled out in this column; 2, Paul Greenberg, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, After the fall column; 3, Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Now is the time for us to be big.
COLUMN-LIFESTYLE -- HUMAN INTEREST -- 1, Waylon Harris, The Jonesboro Sun, Cherish today while you can; 2, Les Minor, Texarkana Gazette, Trying to shake the great snake of Bringle Lake; 3, Waylon Harris, The Jonesboro Sun, I've lost my give a darn for presidential politics.
DIGITAL (FORMERLY WEBSITE) -- 1, Arkansas Online Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; 2, Staff, Texarkana Gazette; 3, Staff, The Jonesboro Sun.
DIGITAL STORYTELLING -- 1, Gavin Lesnick, Stephen Thornton, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Two dead in Howard County in EF2 tornado; 2, Gavin Lesnick, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Before and after: Arkansas River falls; 3, Staci Vandagriff, The Jonesboro Sun, People of NEA.
EDITORIAL WRITING -- 1, Chris Wessel, The Jonesboro Sun, Campaigning needless if job isn't being done; 2, Chris Wessel, The Jonesboro Sun, JPs shouldn't award themselves bonuses; 3, Russell McDermott, Texarkana Gazette, County Cruise.
EDUCATION REPORTING -- 1, Cynthia Howell, Aziza Musa, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, State takes over LR schools; 2, Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Cut test provider, governor says; 3, Jennifer Middleton, Texarkana Gazette, Special education students learn life skills, confidence.
FEATURE PHOTO -- 1, Evan Lewis, Texarkana Gazette, Feeling Ducky; 2, Stephen Thornton, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, After 64 years, Clinton buries GI back from war; 3, Evan Lewis, Texarkana Gazette, Art Appreciation.
FEATURE SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville's players celebrate; 2, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, New kids at the top; 3, Stephen Thornton, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Marmaduke runs away from England.
GRAPHICS -- 1, Nikki Dawes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; 2, Kirk Montgomery, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; 3, Danielle Dupree, Texarkana Gazette, The Rampaging Red.
HEADLINE -- 1, Paul Sawyer, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2014's final slap in the Facebook; 2, Staci Vandagriff, The Jonesboro Sun, Eardrum major; 3, Les Minor, Texarkana Gazette, Blue Bell finds a sugar daddy.
HEALTH-RELATED TOPICS -- 1, Sarah Morris, The Jonesboro Sun, Suicide numbers increase; 2, Christi Crawford, The Jonesboro Sun, Woman shares recovery from depression; 3, Ron Wolfe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, How are you, today?
NEWS COVERAGE -- 1, Staff, Texarkana Gazette, Flooded; 2, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Same-sex marriage ruling; 3, Staff, The Jonesboro Sun, Neighbors watch shooting unfold/Beating started deadly events/Family in agony over son.
NEWS FEATURE -- 1, Cheree Franco, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Comfort in clutter?; 2, Hunter Field, The Jonesboro Sun, Murder unsolved after two years; 3, Jennifer Middleton, Texarkana Gazette, Remembering 'Toxicana.'
NON-TRADITIONAL NEWS ITEM -- 1, Les Minor, Andrea Miller, Texarkana Gazette, Citizens life their glasses; 2, Ron Wolfe, Kirk Montgomery, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
PAGE DESIGN -- 1, Tena Chen, Erick Taylor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; 2, Andrea Miller, Jason Hopkins, Texarkana Gazette.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTFOLIO -- 1, Jerry Habraken, Texarkana Gazette; 2, Evan Lewis, Texarkana Gazette; 3, Josh Boucher, Texarkana Gazette.
POLITICAL REPORTING -- 1, Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Huckabee's odds slim, ex-aides say; 2, Becky Bell, Texarkana Gazette, Ward 2 director says mayor singling him out; 3, Keith Inman, The Jonesboro Sun, Mayor tosses anti-bias proposal.
SERVICE TO FOI -- 1, Chad Day, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Juvenile justice; 2, Hunter Field, The Jonesboro Sun, APA: Meeting broke FOIA law; 3, Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tax liens against senator's firms.
SPECIAL PROJECT -- COMMUNITY SERVICE -- 1, Chad Day, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Red Carpet to Prison; 2, Les Miller, Lynn LaRowe, Texarkana Gazette, Judge Must Go; 3, Staff, Texarkana Gazette, City Manager Must Go.
SPORTS COLUMN -- 1, Wally Hall, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, UALR could have handled its search better; 2, Kevin Turbeville, The Jonesboro Sun, Depleted Red Wolves unable to keep pace; 3, Bill Owney, Texarkana Gazette, Of feasts and fandom: What's Thanksgiving with no game?
SPORTS FEATURE -- 1, Bob Holt, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Cadillac of a coach; 2, Tim Cooper, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Simply Red; 3, Kevin Turbeville, The Jonesboro Sun, State Hall of Fame inducting historic '70 Indian team.
SPORTS STORY -- 1, Jeremy Muck, Chad Day, Tim Cooper, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, State title forfeited; 2, Matthew V. Roberson, The Jonesboro Sun, Money only part of ASU's scheduling strategy; 3, Matthew V. Roberson, The Jonesboro Sun, ASU's Brady to step down after season.
SPOT NEWS PHOTO -- 1, Evan Lewis, Texarkana Gazette, Man shot, killed on 16th Street; 2, Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Officer Titus Remembered; 3, Stephen Thornton, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Benton Clinic Burns.
SPOT NEWS STORY -- 1, Jeannie Roberts, Kenneth Heard, Jake Sandlin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, EF2 tornado rips mobile home, kills 2; 2, Lynn LaRowe, Texarkana Gazette, First marriage license issued to gay couple in Miller County; 3, Hunter Field, The Jonesboro Sun, Police: Man charged officer with knife before shooting.
SPOT SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Crash in a mad dash; 2, Jerry Habraken, Texarkana Gazette, Arkansas High boys, girls take first place; 3, Staci Vandagriff, The Jonesboro Sun, ASU hammers Missouri State 70-7.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE -- 1, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; 2, Staff, The Jonesboro Sun; 3, Staff, Texarkana Gazette.
SWEEPSTAKES -- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock.
MEDIUM-SIZED NEWSPAPERS
(Circulation of 8,001 to 15,000 daily)
BEAT REPORTING -- 1, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, Appeal process automatic in death penalty/Pearcy man sentenced to death; 2, David Showers, The Sentinel-Record, Judges pick up slack in Naramore's absence/Judges recuse from Naramore FOIA lawsuit; 3, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, State works on 70E safety/Highway 70 claims two more lives.
BUSINESS REPORTING -- 1, Jeanette Anderton, Log Cabin Democrat, Council tries to avoid snag in Lewis Crossing project; 2, Brandon Riddle, Log Cabin Democrat, Baptist Health marks 60 percent completion with topping-off ceremony; 3, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, Xpress Boats president passes reins to son.
COLUMN-HARD NEWS -- 1, Mark Gregory, The Sentinel-Record, City has moral obligation to put tax to public vote; 2, Mark Gregory, The Sentinel-Record, A second chance; 3, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, At a time when words escape me.
COLUMN-LIFESTYLE -- HUMAN INTEREST -- 1, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, Happy birthday and welcome to football; 2, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, A reporter's life for me; 3, Mark Gregory, The Sentinel-Record, Remembering dad with clean work bench.
DIGITAL (FORMERLY WEBSITE) -- 1, Nick Stahl, Log Cabin Democrat, TheCabin Digital; 2, Staff, The Sentinel-Record.
DIGITAL STORYTELLING -- 1, Avery Moorehead, Log Cabin Democrat, Just Helping Out; 2, Kelly Sublett, Avery Moorehead, Log Cabin Democrat, And finally today.
EDITORIAL WRITING -- 1, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, Why no urgency?; 2, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, Freedom of information vital to public welfare; 3, Mark Gregory, The Sentinel-Record, More questions than answers swirl around child's death.
EDUCATION REPORTING -- 1, Brandon Riddle, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway schools shift daily schedule to accommodate snow days; 2, Jay Bell, The Sentinel-Record, Shift away or stay in PARCC?; 3, Jay Bell, The Sentinel-Record, HSSD plans to cut positions, reduce budget.
FEATURE PHOTO -- 1, Avery Moorehead, Log Cabin Democrat, Finding Faith; 2, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, Fluorescent Wolves; 3, Richard Rasmussen, The Sentinel-Record, Water Spill.
FEATURE SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, Nice Putt; 2, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, The Thrill of Victory; 3, Richard Rasmussen, The Sentinel-Record, Championship Moment.
GRAPHICS -- 1, Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, River's Reach.
HEADLINE -- 1, Tom Ritchey, The Sentinel-Record, Bringing home the bacons; 2, Jeanette Anderton, Log Cabin Democrat, What are the odds? Chief resigns for lottery's top security slot; 3, Jeanette Anderton, Log Cabin Democrat, Snakes on the plains.
HEALTH-RELATED TOPICS -- 1, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, Changes pose challenges for hospital executives;, 2, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, NPMC offers new artery treatment; 3, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, New CFO says hospital dedicated, committed.
NEWS COVERAGE -- 1, Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Prevailing Winds; 2, Staff, The Sentinel-Record, County recovers after storms.
NEWS FEATURE -- 1, Jan Gaughan, Log Cabin Democrat, Couple devoted in life, inseparable in death; 2, Jay Bell, The Sentinel-Record, Adam's legacy; 3, Brandon Riddle, Log Cabin Democrat, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt's sister remembers her hero.
NON-TRADITIONAL NEWS ITEM -- 1, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, This week in history; 2, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, This week in history; 3, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, This week in history.
PAGE DESIGN -- 1, Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Log Cabin Page Design Collective Entry; 2, Tom Ritchey, Jason Wilson, The Sentinel-Record, County recovers after storms.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTFOLIO -- 1, Richard Rasmussen, The Sentinel-Record; 2, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record.
POLITICAL REPORTING -- 1, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, Mayor seeks evidence anti-discrimination ordinance is needed; 2, David Showers, The Sentinel-Record, Quarreling officials concern chamber; 3, Jeanette Anderton, Log Cabin Democrat, Mayoral candidates discuss priorities.
SERVICE TO FOI -- 1, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, Quorum court takes aim at FOIA; 2, David Showers, The Sentinel-Record, Judge withholds Naramore recordings; 3, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, Board to eye change to called-meeting notice requirement.
SPECIAL PROJECT -- COMMUNITY SERVICE -- 1, Jay Bell, The Sentinel-Record, How successful was your education?; 2, Rachel Parker Dickerson, Log Cabin Democrat, Homeless in Conway Series; 3, Jessica Hauser, Brandon Riddle, Kelly Sublett, Log Cabin Democrat, That is not my role.
SPORTS COLUMN -- 1, Bob Wisener, The Sentinel-Record, Forty years later, Thrilla' still satisfies; 2, David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, When the heat of competition evolves into the warmth of relationships; 3, Bob Wisener, The Sentinel-Record, Last-minute TD stirs up controversy.
SPORTS FEATURE -- 1, David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, Friday Night Wives; 2, David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, A legacy created in a snap; 3, Phil Skaggs, The Sentinel-Record, Trojan warrior.
SPORTS STORY -- 1, Bob Wisener, The Sentinel-Record, Pharoah rules; 2, David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, Getting a head start; 3, Sean Saunders, The Sentinel-Record, Lady Trojans take state title.
SPOT NEWS PHOTO -- 1, Richard Rasmussen, The Sentinel-Record, Police Storm Apartment; 2, Richard Rasmussen, The Sentinel-Record, Seventh Street Fire; 3, Avery Moorehead, Log Cabin Democrat, Up In Flames.
SPOT NEWS STORY -- 1, Don Thomason, The Sentinel-Record, Highway 70 claims two more lives; 2, Don Thomason, Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, 3 injured in exchange of gunfire on Kenwood; 3, Jessica Hauser, Brandon Riddle, Log Cabin Democrat, Three persons of interest held in connection to Conway murders.
SPOT SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, Taking a Dive; 2, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, Thundering Hooves; 3, Mara Kuhn, The Sentinel-Record, I Think I Will Pass.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE -- 1, Staff, The Sentinel-Record; 2, Staff, Log Cabin Democrat.
SWEEPSTAKES -- The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs.
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
(Circulation below 8,000 daily)
BEAT REPORTING -- 1, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Life stories; 2, Sarah Perry, Saline Courier, Spann Walks, Spann's Sardis Home Catches Fire; 3, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Education/schools.
BUSINESS REPORTING -- 1, Tamara Johnson, Times-Herald, AMT e-Waste Solutions to rework funding request; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Bowling alley to close after 23 years; 3, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Biscuit baker wins state title.
COLUMN-HARD NEWS -- 1, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Forgetting a child is much more than a 'mistake'; 2, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, TV crew's deaths shake fellow journalist; 3, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Battle continues long after war ends.
COLUMN-LIFESTYLE -- HUMAN INTEREST -- 1, Sam Pierce, Saline Courier, The Week of Emotional Heaven, Hell; 2, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, 'They still matter'; 3, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, It's where I run.
DIGITAL (FORMERLY WEBSITE) -- 1, Saline Courier Staff, Saline Courier, Website; Facebook; Twitter.
EDITORIAL WRITING -- 1, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, Library board should be open book; 2, Andrea Bruner, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, No one stands alone in our community; 3, Kelly Fredunsprung, Saline Courier, Everyone needs a little PR.
EDUCATION REPORTING -- 1, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, 'Hooverville' recreated; 2, Sarah Perry, Saline Courier, Bryant to close Paron Elementary; 3, Lynda Hollenbeck, Saline Courier, Benton Schools net high marks, continue to stride.
FEATURE PHOTO -- 1, Joe Phelps, Saline Courier, Flying high again; 2, Kris Caraway, Batesville Daily Guard, Monks chanting; 3, Justin Manning, Saline Courier, Hummingbird.
FEATURE SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Having a good time; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Going, going, gone; 3, Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Steady and ready.
GRAPHICS -- 1, Deb Harvell, Batesville Daily Guard, Recalling Vietnam; 2, Katie West, Caitlyn Sweet, Times-Herald, Remembering Vietnam; 3, Kris Caraway, Batesville Daily Guard, Top 10 stories.
HEADLINE -- 1, Saline Courier Staff, Saline Courier, Mission: Impassable; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Taking it to the Macs; 3, Saline Courier Staff, Saline Courier, Highway to Headache.
HEALTH-RELATED TOPICS -- 1, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, Colors of the Spectrum; 2, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, Mom draws strength from kids while fighting cancer; 3, Sarah Perry, Saline Courier, Dog motivates therapy clients.
NEWS COVERAGE -- 1, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Funeral home crisis affects area families; 2, Patric Flannigan, Camden News, Austin Hill escape.
NEWS FEATURE -- 1, Sam Pierce, Saline Courier, Full hearts; 2, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Community gathers for prayer vigil; 3, Caitlyn Sweet, Times-Herald, The Antique Rose.
NON-TRADITIONAL NEWS ITEM -- 1, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Mis Adventures; 2, Saline Courier Staff, Saline Courier, If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?; 3, Guard Staff, Batesville Daily Guard, Doc Freeman teaser.
PAGE DESIGN -- 1, Guard Staff, Batesville Daily Guard;, 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier; 3, Tamara Johnson, Times-Herald.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTFOLIO -- 1, Kris Caraway, Batesville Daily Guard; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier.
POLITICAL REPORTING -- 1, Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, State's shift to SEC Primary affects more than candidates; 2, Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, SFC Election officials not pleased with SEC primary/Oswalt, Freeman expecting problems; 3, Joe Phelps, Saline Courier, District's future in limbo after second failed millage election.
SERVICE TO FOI -- 1, Donetta Bradford, Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Juvenile detention center scandals; 2, Angelia Roberts, Andrea Bruner, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Library board resignations.
SPECIAL PROJECT -- COMMUNITY SERVICE -- 1, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, Growing in our hearts, Vickers family story; 2, Guard Staff, Batesville Daily Guard, Giving Thanks series; 3, Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Officials consider options to save damaged building.
SPORTS COLUMN -- 1, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Parker's legacy goes further off the field than on; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Remembering the Week Cardinals Nation went black; 3, Sam Pierce, Saline Courier, Bryant's own loss is a sore reminder.
SPORTS FEATURE -- 1, Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Heart condition bonds BHS students; 2, Tony Lenahan, Saline Courier, Heavy Medals; 3, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Shoot Like a Girl.
SPORTS STORY -- 1, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Lasting Legacy; 2, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Changing Colors; 3, Paul Glover, Batesville Daily Guard, Pioneers, other stand together in 41-7 win.
SPOT NEWS PHOTO -- 1, Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Downtown blaze; 2, Kris Caraway, Batesville Daily Guard, Firefighter at scene; 3, Kris Caraway, Batesville Daily Guard, Fire injury.
SPOT NEWS STORY -- 1, Donetta Bradford, Batesville Daily Guard, Hydro worker swept down river; 2, Sarah Perry, Josh Briggs, Saline Courier, Morning blaze destroys Shoe Carnival location; 3, Sarah Perry, Saline Courier, Spann walks.
SPOT SPORTS PHOTO -- 1, Rick Nation, Saline Courier, Back to the 'Ship; 2, Justin Manning, Saline Courier, Reign Ends; 3, Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Play at the plate.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE -- 1, Staff, Times-Herald; 2, Staff, Saline Courier.
SWEEPSTAKES -- Saline Courier, Benton.
SundayMonday on 05/01/2016