Democrat-Gazette wins general excellence award

BENTONVILLE — The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette won the the general excellence award for overall quality in the larger daily newspapers category of the Arkansas Press Association awards, the organization announced Saturday.

In all, Democrat-Gazette staff members for work produced during the 2015 calendar year won 17 first-place honors, including best coverage of agricultural business.

Chad Day, a former Democrat-Gazette reporter who now works for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., won the I.F. Stone Award for investigative reporting for the second year in a row. Day won best beat reporter for juvenile justice, (fellow Democrat-Gazette reporter John Lynch, coverage of local courts beat, took second) and Day took first place in investigative reporting for his story “Red Carpet to Prison.”

Democrat-Gazette photographer Stephen Thornton was recognized twice in the single news photograph category, winning first place for his photo “Clinton buries GI back from war” and taking honorable mention for “Bridge standoff in Little Rock.”

Photographer Benjamin Krain won APA photo of the year for his “Crash and a mad dash,” which also took first place in single sports action photograph.

Other first-place winners were Jeannie Roberts, Kenneth Heard and Jake Sandlin for the news story “Tornado kills 2”; Michael Storey for his column “Otus the Head Cat”; Cheree Franco for her story “Comfort in clutter”; Jeremy Muck, Day and Tim Cooper for their sports news story “State title forfeited”; Cooper for his sports feature “Simply Red”; Wally Hall for “Bad back made for more limber Coach K” in the sports column category; and Erick Taylor for best sports page design.

John Deering won best editorial cartoonist; Emily Van Zandt, Ron Wolfe and Philip Martin won for tourism coverage; Paul Sawyer for his headline “2014’s final slap in the Facebook”; and Melissa Sue Gerrits for her picture page/photo essay “Roll on.” Tena Chen won best graphic design portfolio.

The newspaper staff also won first place for coverage of agriculture/business.

Members of the newspaper’s staff also won four second-place and three thirdplace awards, along with two honorable mentions. Democrat-Gazette freelance writers Hannah Keller (first for “Going the Extra Mile”) and Jack Schnedler (third for “Veterans find rest at Birdeye”) also took awards.

Other second-place winners were Krain for his photo essay/picture page “Old school swimmin’ pool;” John Brummett for “All in journalism”; the Democrat-Gazette staff for coverage of education and ArkansasOnline for best website. Third-place honors went to Andy Davis and Celia Storey for health and medical coverage, Brummett for a news or political column, and Terry Austin for best front page. Paul Greenberg won honorable mention for a news or political column.

Members of the Nebraska Press Association selected winners from 16 daily newspapers submitting 716 entries and 34 weekly newspapers submitting 1,030 entries.

NEWS STORY

Smaller dailies: Malvern Daily Record, Eric Moore, “Jail escapee recaptured.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Donetta Bradford, “Dam close call — Hydro worker swept down river.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Jeannie Roberts, Kenneth Heard and Jake Sandlin, “Tornado Kills 2.” Smaller weeklies: Wynne Progress, David Owens, “Looking for answers.” Medium weeklies: Nashville News, Charles Goodin, “CEO: Hospital Board allows recording again.” Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Janelle Jessen, “Tornado-Siren silence spawns storm.”

FEATURE STORY

Smaller dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Erik Wright, “Former meth addict says recovery is possible.” Medium dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Jan Gaughan, “Couple devoted in life, inseparable in death.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Cheree Franco, “Comfort in clutter.” Smaller weeklies: The Times of Northeast Benton County, Pea Ridge, Annette Beard, “Traveling at a mule’s pace.” Medium weeklies: Nashville Leader, John Balch, “WW II takes 3 soldiers in 3 different directions.” Larger weeklies: Lovely County Citizen, Eureka Springs, Samantha Jones, “Making of a Musical.”

IN-DEPTH SERIES REPORTING

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Sarah Perry, “Spann on trial.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Guard staff, “Give Thanks.” Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, Christie Swanson and Ron Wood, “Eyes on the road.” Smaller weeklies: Wynne Progress, David Owens, “Veterans museum.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Brandon Howard, “Dam’s fate still up in air.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, John Hofheimer, “New school district.”

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

All dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Chad Day, “Red Carpet to Prison.” (I.F. Stone Award winner). All weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Sarah Campbell, “Funeral home legal troubles.” Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Sarah Perry. Medium dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Marisa Hicks. Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Chad Day. Smaller weeklies: Washington County Enterprise Leader, Farmington, Lynn Kutter. Medium weeklies: Advance Monticellonian, Monticello, Harold Coggins. Larger weeklies: Madison County Record, Huntsville, Matt Shelnutt.

SPORTS NEWS STORY

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Bruce Guthrie, “Cats Crowned Champs.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Paul Glover, “Pioneers, others stand together.” Larger dailies: Jonesboro Sun, Matthew V. Roberson, “Red Wolves claim outright SBC title.” Smaller weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins, “‘Cats run pill’ at will.” Medium weeklies: Advance Monticellonian, Monticello, Harold Coggins, “New day dawns.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Ray Benton, “Twins finish first, second by one point.”

SPORTS FEATURE STORY

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Josh Briggs, “Maynard Bear.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Lacy Mitchell, “Heart condition bonds BHS students.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Tim Cooper, “Simply Red.” Smaller weeklies: The Times, North Little Rock, Donna Lampkin Stephens, “State for Stefe.” Medium weeklies: Advance Monticellonian, Monticello, Harold Coggins, “Coming full circle.” Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Graham Thomas, “The Real Roman.”

SPORTS COLUMN

Smaller dailies: Banner-News, Magnolia, Chris Gilliam, “Participation trophies important.” Medium dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Kev Moye, “Sports showcase compassion.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Wally Hall, “Bad back made for more limber Coach K.” Smaller weeklies: Newton County Times, Jasper, Jeff Brasel, “It was a game that I won’t forget.” Medium weeklies: Advance Monticellonian, Monticello, Harold Coggins, “If you didn’t find something to like.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Ray Benton, “Alleged killer squandered unique talent.”

EDITORIAL

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Steve Watts, “Remember Malik and speak.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Andrea Bruner and Angelia Roberts, “No one stands alone in our community.” Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, Greg Harton, “Driving Dixie Down.” Smaller weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins, “Going too far.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Tom Throne, “Why the secrecy?” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Jonathan Feldman, “North Metro heads south.”

NEWS/POLITICAL COLUMN

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Josh Briggs, “Hot Car Death.” Medium dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Joan Hershberger, “Dorothea Dix.” Larger dailies: Jonesboro Sun, Waylon Harris, “Mind, faith at odds on death penalty.” Smaller weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins, “Funding tough road for Hutchinson.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Tom Throne, “Rule of law built our nation.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Garrick Feldman, “Apocalypse in age of horror.”

GENERAL INTEREST COLUMN

Smaller dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Steve Gillespie, “There’s two sides to every flag.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Andrea Bruner, “They still matter.” Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, Becca Martin-Brown, “Last line of defense.” Smaller weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins, “We use how much of our brains?” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Tom Throne, “True, old friends.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Garrick Feldman, “Mother recalls end of horror.”

HUMOROUS COLUMN

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Harry Porter, “Cat People vs. Dog People.” Medium dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Joan Hershberger, “Decongestant not cat pills.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Michael Storey, “Otus the Head Cat.” Smaller weeklies: Dover Times, Steve Leavell, “Things I Can’t Talk About at Home.” Medium weeklies: Nashville Leader, Louie Graves, “My lucky day.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Rick Kron, “Some calls are real turkeys.”

FREELANCE WRITING

Small and medium dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Alex Kienlen, “Working out life’s lessons.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Hannah Keller, “Going the Extra Mile.” Smaller weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Brittany Ransom, “Students give new meaning to Pointer Green.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Jan Burgess, “Coping with stress.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Kaylee Clark, “Taking it to the woods.”

HEADLINE WRITING

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, staff, “Mission: Impassable.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Angelia Roberts, “Vacuum thief’s getaway.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Paul Sawyer, “2014’s final slap in the Facebook.” Smaller weeklies: Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend, Karen Sherrell, “Librarian begins new chapter.” Medium weeklies: Sun-Times, Heber Springs, James Jackson, “Habitats for fishmanity.” Larger weeklies: Carroll County News, Berryville, Samantha Jones, “Getting their kicks.”

SINGLE NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Ali Webb, “Going against the grain.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, J. Ross Jones, “Fighting Blaze.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Stephen Thornton, “Clinton buries GI back from war.” Smaller weeklies: Salem News, Kim Break, “Community rallies around victims.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Brandon Howard, “Rollover rescue.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, David Scolli, “Father and son embrace after fatal fire.”

SINGLE FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPH

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Joe Phelps, “Flag.” Medium dailies: El Dorado News-Times, Michael Orrell, “Setup for show.” Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, J.T. Wampler, “Annette Gebaur.” Smaller weeklies: Washington County Enterprise Leader, Farmington, Lynn Kutter, “Checking Easter Stash.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Kent Marts, “The Flying Dauschund.” Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Janelle Jessen, “The Fantastic Fox Family.”

SINGLE SPORTS ACTION

PHOTOGRAPH

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Jay Manning, “Reign Ends.” Medium dailies: Harrison Daily Times, Jeff Brasel, “State Champions.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Ben Krain, “Crash in a mad dash.” (APA Photo of the Year). Smaller weeklies: The Times, North Little Rock, Jaison Sterling, “Playing for title.” Medium weeklies: Sun-Times, Heber Springs, Will Gilbert, “Victory Formation.” Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, David Scoli, “Cabot quarterback.”

SINGLE SPORTS FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPH

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Sam Pierce, “Dynamic Duo.” Medium and large dailies: Jonesboro Sun, Staci Vandagriff, “Making a splash.” Smaller weeklies: Montgomery County News, Mount Ida, Dewayne Holloway, “That’s just about right.” Medium weeklies: Advance Monticellonian, Monticello, Harold Coggins, “Let the celebration begin.” Larger weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mountain View, Lori Freeze, “Holden Attaway T-ball catch.”

PHOTO ESSAY

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Matt Burks, “Tin Lizzies stop at Pioneer Village.” Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Kris Caraway, “Bark in the Park.” Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Melissa Sue Gerrits, “Roll on.” Smaller weeklies: Wynne Progress, Brock Meeler, “Gold medal performance.” Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Tom Throne, “Taking the plunge.” Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Janelle Jessen, “Reunion Rock.”

BEST FRONT PAGE

Smaller dailies: The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Steve Watts and Wendy Jones. Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Andrea Bruner and Deb Harvell. Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, staff. Smaller weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Kenneth Fry. Medium weeklies: Paris Express, Pat McHughes. Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, The Herald-Leader staff.

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN

PORTFOLIO

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Josh Briggs. Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Kris Caraway. Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Tena Chen. Small and medium weeklies: Greenwood Democrat, Dustin Graham. Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Christy Hendricks.

BEST SPORTS PAGE

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Josh Briggs and Tony Lenahan. Medium and large dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Erick Taylor. Smaller weeklies: The Times, North Little Rock, Jeremy Peppas. Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Teresa Hufford. Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Ray Benton.

COVERAGE OF BUSINESS/

AGRICULTURE

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, staff. Medium dailies: Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, staff. Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, staff. Smaller weeklies: Washington County Enterprise Leader, Farmington, Lynn Kutter. Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Lynn Atkins, Brandon Howard and Tom Throne. Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville, Jeffrey Smith, John Hofheimer and Sarah Campbell.

COVERAGE OF EDUCATION

Smaller dailies: Paragould Daily Press, Lora Mosley and Erik Wright. Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Lacy Mitchell, Andrea Bruner and Donetta Bradford. Larger dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, Dave Perozek, Brenda Bernet and Christie Swanson. Smaller weeklies: Dumas Clarion, Terry G. Hawkins. Medium weeklies: Nashville Leader, John R. Schirmer and Dixon Land. Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Janelle Jessen. Small and medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Andrea Bruner, Lacy Mitchell and Kris Caraway. Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Emily Van Zandt, Ron Wolfe and Philip Martin. Smaller weeklies: Westside Eagle Observer, Gravette, Randy Moll, Susan Holland and Mike Eckels. Medium weeklies: Nashville Leader, Louie Graves, John Balch and Dixon Land. Larger weeklies: Stone County Leader, Mountain View, staff.

COVERAGE OF HEALTH/

MEDICAL

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton, Lynda Hollenbeck and Sarah Perry. Medium and large dailies: Batesville Daily Guard, Andrea Bruner, Lacy Mitchell and Kris Caraway. Smaller weeklies: Villager Journal, Cherokee Village, Tammy Curtis. Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista, Lynn Atkins and Brandon Howard. Larger weeklies: Herald Leader, Siloam Springs, Janelle Jessen.

BEST EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

All newspapers: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, John Deering.

BEST WEBSITE

All dailies: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville, staff, nwaonline.com. All weeklies: Press Argus-Courier, Van Buren, Jenny McClure and George Clay Mitchell, pressargus.com.

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Smaller dailies: Saline Courier, Benton.

Medium dailies: Batesville Daily Guard.

Larger dailies: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock.

Smaller weeklies: Washington County Enterprise Leader, Farmington.

Medium weeklies: Weekly Vista, Bella Vista.

Larger weeklies: The Leader, Jacksonville.

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