Times wins first

— Journalists from both the weekly and daily newspapers in northwest Arkansas won several awards at the Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Contest this past weekend. Awards were presented at an awards luncheon Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Hot Springs.

Several of the Northwest Arkansas Newspapers including weeklies and the dailies - Benton County Daily Record and Rogers Morning News - received awards. The Times of Northeast Benton County received 30 awards including a first for general excellence in thesmaller weeklies division.

“I am extremely proud of the work Annette Beard does for people living in northeast Benton County,” said publisher Kent Marts.

“Annette works tirelessly to produce the absolute bestpossible newspaper - and that has been recognized this year and in years past by our peers in the industry.”

But, Marts pointed out, Beard doesn’t produce the paper to win awards from other journalists.

“She produces papers that honor the community, that reflect the community and that earn readers by being the only trusted source for accurate timely information about where our readers live,” Marts said. “That’s the contest that’s worth winning.” APA Awards 2011

General Excellence: First place for smaller weeklies

First place

News Story: “Valley disquieted by gruesome discovery,” Cassi Lapp

Feature Story: “Family photo treasure unclaimed,” Annette Beard

Investigative reporting: “Ambulance service is public business,” Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Sports column: “America seen at its best,” John Mc-Gee

Humorous column: “The first step to recovery,” Cassi Lapp

Best front page: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp, Teresa Hufford

Best features page: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp, Teresa Hufford

Best special issue: “Fair,” Annette Beard, Teresa Hufford

Coverage of politics: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Coverage of business/agriculture: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Coverage of education: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Coverage of tourism: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Second place

Feature: “Toddler survives near drowning,” Annette Beard

In-depth/series: “Pea Ridge Homes Tour,” Annette Beard

Sports news: “’Hawks sweep,” John McGee

Editorial: “Public transparency is requisite,” Annette Beard

News/political column: “Filing fees garner much money,” Leo Lynch

Headline writing: “Gun range in city shot down,” Annette Beard

Community coverage: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp

Freelance writing: “Blackhawks lose a heartbreaker,” John McGee

Third place

Editorial: “It’s the public’s right to know,” Annette Beard

Single news photograph: Tractor accident, Annette Beard

Single feature photograph: Fred McKinney, Cassi Lapp

Picture page/photo essay: Mule Jump, Annette Beard

Best sports page: Annette Beard, Cassi Lapp, Teresa Hufford

Freelance writing: “Blackhawks plucked byLions,” John McGee

Honorable mention

News/political column: “Bias freely admitted,” Annette Beard

Single feature photograph: Curious youngster lean, Cassi Lapp

News, Pages 1 on 07/27/2011