From Staff Reports
The TIMES of Northeast Benton County earned 28 awards, including first place in General Excellence for smaller weeklies, during the annual Arkansas Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper contest. The awards, for articles and photographs published during the calendar year 2013, were announced Saturday, July 12, during the APA's annual convention held in Hot Springs this year.
"We're very proud of the Times of Northeast Benton County. It continues to be one of the finest weekly newspapers in the state, if not the region. In addition, Annette Beard is one of the hardest-working, most conscientious journalists I know. It's gratifying to know that our readers in the Pea Ridge area are so well served by their newspaper," Rusty Turner, editor and publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Newspapers group that publishes The TIMES, four dailies and 10 other weeklies.
"These awards are indicative of the great community of Pea Ridge," Kent Marts, publisher of the NAN weeklies, said. "While it's gratifying to win awards from your peers, it's even more gratifying to have the trust of the community and the readers."
"Annette Beard takes her role in the community seriously," Marts said. "I've known Annette long enough to know that she doesn't work as hard as she does -- often doing thankless tasks like asking hard questions and researching court records and going to an event at the last minute instead of sitting down to a family supper -- because she wants to win awards. She does it for one reason, because she strongly believes in the newspaper's role in the community -- as a mirror and a window, a bulletin board and bully pulpit, as a soft shoulder to cry on and a strong back that often stands alone against tyranny."
"We're honored and grateful to have won first place in General Excellence," said managing editor Annette Beard. "This recognition is a reflection of the time and hard work put in by our employees and columnists. Page builder Teresa Hufford is committed to detail and to excellence. Our columnists devote themselves to writing without compensation because they care about the community."
The TIMES won 27 awards.
In addition to the General Excellence award, the paper was honored with the following awards, all in the small weekly division.
First place:
• News story, Nursing student aids at accident, Annette Beard;
• Sports column, Freedom to fail is essential to success by John McGee;
• Editorial, Vote in School Election by Annette Beard;
• News/political column, Trust the government by Leo Lynch;
• General Interest column, Milking the Cows by Jerry Nichols;
• Best Special Issue/Section, Back to School by Annette Beard and Teresa Hufford
Second place:
• News story, Struck by car, Annette Beard;
• In-depth series reporting, Cousins reunited by Nancy Peevy;
• Sports news story, Hawks succeed early by John McGee;
• Headline writing, Donation shocks police by Annette Beard;
• Picture page/photo essay, Veterans Day by Annette Beard and Teresa Hufford;
• Coverage of Tourism;
• Coverage of Health/Medical;
• Freelance writing, Bell'Italia by Sarah Stokes.
Third place:
• Feature story, Love is even better the second time around, Annette Beard;
• In-depth series reporting, Real world prep by Annette Beard;
• Editorial, Get all the facts by Annette Beard;
• News/political column, How to bet fund ambulance service by Leo Lynch;
• Single news photograph, Struck by car by Annette Beard;
• Sports feature photograph;
• Best front page;
• Best sports page by John McGee, Annette Beard and Teresa Hufford;
• Best Special Issue/Section, Mule Jump by Annette Beard and Teresa Hufford;
Honorable mention:
• Best Beat Reporter, school beat;
• Sports news story by John McGee;
• General Interest column, Eccentricities of small town life by Annette Beard; and
• Coverage of education.
Since 2006, The TIMES has won multiple individual awards, first place in general excellence 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, second place in 2006 and 2007, and third place in 2009.
The Tennessee Press Association judged this year's competition, choosing from 1,865 entries from 21 daily newspapers and 32 weekly newspapers.
General News on 07/16/2014