FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – Shelby County Newspapers Inc. earned 45 editorial and advertising awards in the preliminary results of the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The APA announced results in several categories on May 20, but many categories, such as story of the year, ad of the year and general excellence, will be announced at the APA Summer Convention on June 18.

One hundred ten newspapers submitted 2,775 entries in the editorial contest, and 60 newspapers submitted 1,007 entries in the advertising contest. The entries were judged by the Louisiana Press Association.

The Shelby County Reporter competes in category C against other large weekly newspapers.

Shelby County Newspapers Inc. received the following awards:

 

Editorial contest

 

-First place in the best news feature story coverage category for Neal Wagner’s story “Inspiring a Legion”

-First place in the best feature story category for Baker Ellis’ story “It’s a family thing”

-First place in the best local sports column category for Baker Ellis’ column “It’s worth it: Understanding and internalizing defeat”

-First place in the best spot news photo category for “Shelby County hit hard by Dec. 25 flooding” by Jason Ingram

-First place in the best headline category for “Grab a coal one” by Graham Brooks

-First place in the best special section category for “Shelby County Football 2015” by Baker Ellis

-First place in the best niche publication category for “Hoover’s Magazine”

 

-Second place in the in-depth news coverage category for Molly Davidson’s series on U.S. 280 health care

-Second place in the best editorial category for “Time for Bentley to unseal divorce records” by staff

-Second place in the best local sports column category for Baker Ellis’ column “Is yelling an effective coaching method?”

-Second place in the best photo essay category for “Serve’s up” by Michael Wade

-Second place in the best niche publication category for “Visitor’s Guide Shelby County”

-Second place in the online breaking news coverage category for “Liberty Island evacuation” by Neal Wagner

-Second place in the best use of social media category for “Facebook feedback”

 

-Third place in the best editorial category for “Terminal patients deserve right to try” by staff

-Third place in the best human interest column for “Remembering why he served” by Neal Wagner

-Third place in the best editorial column or commentary category for Chris George’s column “Enjoy a fresh start to a new year”

-Third place in the best news photo category for “Going for Gold” by Katie Lanier

-Third place in the best spot news photo category for “Head-on collision by Joe Williams

-Third place in the best photo essay category for “Saddle up” by Dawn Harrison

-Third place in the creative use of multimedia category for digital versions of special sections

-Third place in the online breaking news coverage category for “Christmas flooding” by Katie McDowell and Jessa Pease

 

Advertising contest

 

-First place in the best single ad over one-half page, black and white for Alabaster CityFest

-First place in the best regularly scheduled special section category for “Profile 2015”

-First place in the best original or creative idea category for “Andrews Family Dentistry” by Meagan Mims

-First place in the best signature page ad for “Small business celebration”

-First place in the best niche publication category for “Shelby Living”

-First place in the best use of humor category for “Lawn mower for sale” by Daniel Holmes

-First place in the best presentation of online advertising category for Shelbycountyreporter.com

-First place in the best innovative online advertising, single ad category for “Coolbox Storage” by Meagan Mims

-First place in the online revenue builder category for daily emails

 

-Second place in the best single ad over one-half page, black and white for Pelhampalooza

-Second place in the best regularly scheduled special section category for “Football 2015”

-Second place in the best one-time special section for “Buck Creek Festival Guide”

-Second place in the best advertising campaign category for “Alabaster Optical by Ashley Duckett

-Second place in the best classified display ad category for “Lawn mower for sale” by Daniel Holmes

-Second place in the best signature page category for “Easter Eggstravaganza”

-Second place in the best niche publication category for “Hoover’s Magazine”

-Second place in the best innovative online advertising, single ad category for “Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum” by Ashley Duckett

-Second place in the online revenue builder category for “Free newsletter – sign up today” by Daniel Holmes

 

-Third place in the best classified page or section category

-Third place in the best one-time special section category for “Pelhampalooza festival guide”

-Third place in the best regularly scheduled special section category for “Alabaster CityFest”

-Third place in the best advertising campaign category for “Southlake Orthopedics”

-Third place in the best classified display ad category for “St. Vincent’s job fair” by Kim McCulla

-Third place in the online revenue builder category for “Subscribe today” by Daniel Holmes

-Third place in the best niche publication category for “Shelby County Visitors Guide”

-Third place in the best innovative online advertising, single ad category for “Cahaba Dental Arts” by Rhett McCreight