PEA RIDGE — 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