By KATIE HURST/ Lifestyles Editor

The Shelby County Reporter won several awards in the 2011 Alabama Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Seventy-six newspapers submitted 2,657 entries in the annual contest. Mississippi Press Association judged this year’s entries.

The Reporter competes in Division C, against other community weekly newspapers.

Sixteen other awards, including General Excellence, have yet to be announced. These awards will be announced at the APA summer convention awards banquet June 11.

The Reporter won the following awards:

-Third place, Best In-Depth News Coverage, for the immigration debate in Shelby County coverage by staff.

-Second place, Best Feature Story, for “Crafting beads of courage” by Katie Hurst.

-First place, Best Sports News In-Depth Coverage, for Spain Park scandal coverage by Wesley Hallman.

-Third place, Best Sports Single Event Story, for “Rebels claim title” by Wesley Hallman.

-Third place, Best Sports Feature Story, for “Alabaster native beats doubters, tragedy to shine as a Troy Trojan” by Davis Potter.

-First place, Best Feature Photo, for “Riding Dirty” by Jon Goering.

-Second place, Best News Photo, for “Wreaths of honor” by Jon Goering.

-First place, Best Photo Essay, for “Wreaths of honor” by Jon Goering.

-Second place, Best Photo Essay, for “Pigskin Pageantry” by Jon Goering.

-Second place, Best Headline, for “Pitching Fitts, throwing strikes” by Wesley Hallman.

-First place, Best Special Section, for “iSpeak: Shelby County” by staff.

-Third place, Best Special Section, for “Bentley becomes 53rd governor” by staff.

-First place, Best Niche Publication, for “Shelby Living” magazine by staff.

-Second place, Best Niche Publication, for “Bride Guide” magazine by staff.