Category 1 - Best Editorial

First Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Sarah Reddoch
A sober take on a very serious problem government at all levels largely has ignored.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Brock meticulously takes apart this idiot of a governor. Good job.

Third Place - Kentucky New Era, Staff
Good, insightful commentary on a subject many ignore until it’s too late.

 

First Place - Kentucky New Era, Emily Burton, Tonya S. Grace, Karen Campbell
Solid, first-class reporting on deadline amid what usually is a chaotic situation. Good details.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Well-written, highly detailed piece. Paper should have screamed it across top.

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Todd Kleffman
Good deadline reporting job with lots of details about tragedy avoided.

 

First Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, John Friedlein
A glimpse of a world many know little of and its culture.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, Jennifer P. Brown
Well-written profile on one of many living on the margins in hurricane area before storm sent them over the edge.

Third Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Sarah Baker
Another glimpse into a world often not seen by adults. This time the public schools where principals often control the flow of information.

Honorable Mention - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Well-written story heavy with comments from those being uprooted from livelihoods they’ve known for generations.

 

First Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Good detail about a harrowing experience.

Second Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Erica Walsh
Well-written story about a brave little girl.

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Interesting read about a spinster with a “secret.”

 

First Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Brian Kehl
Nice writing and topics that resonate with readers. Loved the back to kindergarten article even though principal was mispelled once.

Second Place - The Gleaner, Ron Jenkins
Nicely written, good variety of topics and style.

Third Place - Kentucky New Era, Jennifer P. Brown
Thoughtful columnist, interesting topics.

 

First Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Chuck Jones
Jones has a gift for immediately hooking the reader and drawing them into his columns. He writes about people, not just sports.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, George Robinson
Robinson writes movingly and intellectually about a variety of subjects. Well-written and thoughtful.

Third Place - The Gleaner, Brad Schneider
I loved Schneider’s columns because they showed wit as well as wisdom. I could always count on him for a chuckle, and no pontificating.

 

First Place - Kentucky New Era, George Robinson
An enlightening profile of former local high school star’s progress in her freshman season in OVC.

Second Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Chuck Jones
An enterprising, statistically-based trend story.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Norm Haney
Haney brings young golfer’s background into the story, which makes it a more interesting story for the readers.

 

First Place - The Independent, Mark Maynard
“A Gem Dandy,” wonderfully researched and written. I immediately was drawn into the story and cared about it. Good job!

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, George Robinson
“The Sharp Shooter,” a true profile in courage and well-written account of Cofield’s ordeal. Great info box too. I came to admire the subject and not pity him, the true goal of the piece I suspect.

Third Place - The Independent, Elden May
Story on Dan Jessee was intriguing and very well-written. As a huge fan of “Field of Dreams,” story grabbed and kept my interest.

 

First Place - The Advocate Messenger, Liz Maples
“Day in the life,” journalism at its best. Reporter’s enterprise gives readers a firsthand look at how county budget woes affect law enforcement, minute to minute. This story is as readable as it is important. A real public service.

Second Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Brian T. Kehl
Writer tackles a sensitive subject with candor, creativity and insight. Deserves award for having guts to tackle “prayer” as an enterprise project. Deserving too, of its front page placement and effective layout.

Third Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Holly Cecil Tabor
Comprehensive look at an important subject, broken down nicely into readable, digestible package. Wonderful use of quotes and nice blend of ancecdotal and factual statistical information.

Honorable Mention - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Melinda J. Overstreet
“Still booming” is very complete and well executed. Hope you entered it in business writing, too. Great enterprise and nice illustration.

 

First Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Tobacco’s salvation sheds light on one of the most under-reported stories in the nation--Hispanic migrants. A great in-depth look at a subject many people do not want to talk about, including migrants themselves.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Gary Moyers, Emily Burton, Todd Kleffman, Brenda Edwards
Good series examining epidemic growth of meth users. Stories offered a variety of perspectives.

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Herb Brock
Good series on state lottery. Examines impact on economy and personal lives.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Jim Gaines
The Daily News’ decision to send a reporter and photographer to Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina provided excellent coverage of the work Kentuckians were performing there. They found utility crews, National Guard troops and church volunteers and their accounts brought the large national story home to local readers.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, Karen Campbell
Excellent, compelling and very human daily coverage of flooding in the region in August-September, including coverage of the death of a 10-year-old. The coverage reflected both the economic and human impact of the floods in the region.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Hayli Fellwack
Exhaustive coverage of one of the most anticipated murder trials in the region’s history, the case against Lucas Goodman on trial for the murder of a WKU student. The reporter put the reader inside every twist and turn in the lengthy case.

 

First Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Melinda J. Overstreet
There were so many strong entries in this category. But this entry stood out because it was different, relevant to many readers, full of facts and interesting. Business articles are not the easiest to make reader-friendly. This one was.

Second Place - The Gleaner, Chuck Stinnett
A drive-in theater finally closing after 52 years so many readers undoubtedly identified with it and the facts and recollections in the article were blended well.

Third Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Melinda J. Overstreet
A local development with widespread interest, and presented interestingly and in impressive detail.

 

First Place - The Gleaner, Doug White
Loved the wanted: Desperado Deer lead. Perfect for tone of the package. All headlines had good word play without sounding too contrived. These kinds of headlines capture readers’ attention.

Second Place - The Gleaner, Brad Schneider
Clever and compelling.

Third Place - The Independent, Mark Maynard

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Joe Imel
Good art in a tough category to judge. Judges felt woman’s pain.

Second Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Trevor Frey
Good read.

Third Place - The Independent, Kevin Goldy
Nice reaction, hurt by poor job in Photoshop and/or production by press.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky New Era, Danny Vowell
Tough moment.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Clinton Lewis
Good photo tells a story.

Second Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Joe Imel
Nice heartbreaking photo, but when you take it away the text loses a lot of meaning.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Miranda Pederson
Nice.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Trevor Frey
Photo puts a smile on judges’ faces. Now we have “Singin’ in the Rain” in our heads. Thank you.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, Danny Vowell
Nice cute photo.

Third Place - The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley
Great shot. Cropped too tight.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Miranda Pederson
Nice diversity of shots in a strong category.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, Danny Vowell
Good job of following the family around.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Clinton Lewis
Nice story.

 

First Place - Kentucky New Era, Danny Vowell
Ouch! Great action.

Second Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Miranda Pederson
Good action!

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Clay Jackson
Good shot.

Honorable Mention - The Independent, Kevin Goldy
Good moment.

 

First Place - The Advocate Messenger, Clay Jackson
Good solid essay.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Clay Jackson
Good diversity of photos.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Trevor Frey
Good essay, need a few more different shots.

Honorable Mention - The Gleaner, Mike Lawrence

 

First Place - The Gleaner, Staff
Wow!! In the complete stack of entries in the category, this was the one I wanted to curl up next to fire and read cover-to-cover. And I’ve never been to Kentucky! Everything about this was outstanding, concept, organization, photography, layout and writing. Excellent job all the way around!!!

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Emily Toadvine, Jane Cox
Who knew there would be so many interesting things about brass bands? The section is chock full of local stories, maps, information, colorful and fun.

Third Place - Elizabethtown News Enterprise, Sarah Reddoch, Staff
Excellent coverage of a news event that can shape a community. Don’t think you guys missed a thing. Great photos, layout and a good job of making it understandable and relevant to all readers.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky New Era, Joe Wilson
Fun concept for cover, excellent layouts and stories school by school. Great use of white space.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky New Era, Michele Carlton, Melony Leazer
Loved the concept of following two couples through the wedding madness.

 

First Place - The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley
“Arch of Triumph,” beautiful, immediately captures the excitement of hoops playoffs. I’m blown away by technical proficiency seen in this full-page graphic.

Second Place - The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley
Once again, graphic perfectly captures tone of article. This guy is talented!!

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Jane Cox, Jennifer Brummett
Holocaust page was evocative and haunting. Drew me instantly into the story and made me care.

Honorable Mention - The Independent, Adam Vankirk
Excellent graphic explaining complicated retail growth. Lots of good information and clear direction.

 

First Place - Kentucky New Era, George Robinson
Dynamic design. Good use of photos and fonts. Strong reader appeal. Easy to read and navigate. Strong local coverge.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Jane Cox, Staff
Strong design. Good use of white space, text and photos. (Larry Vaught is one prolific writer!)

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Amanda Brannock
Bold design on centerpiece package. Reader friendly.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Scotty Hyde
The clear winner! Great design with good use of strong photos, type and white space. Good balance of content. Like the local “Focus on Business” column.

Second Place - The Advocate Messenger, Jane Cox, Brenda Edwards, John Davis
Outstanding design with great use of photography and type. “A Labor of Love” best page of the entry. Great watercolor header.

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Amanda Brannock
Strong design, especially “Now Hear This.” Also liked the watercolor header. Good local content.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky New Era, Melony Leazer
Good content mix. Nice centerpiece design.

Honorable Mention - The Gleaner, Chuck Stinnett, Staff
High content level, well balanced between local and national. Good centerpieces.

 

First Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Miranda Pederson, Clinton Lewis
Excellent use of photos. Cutouts give interest to page and guides reader to info boxes. Particularly good “Garden Grows” page. Lots of helpful info. Photography is amazing and layouts allow it to shine to illustrate stories. Nice unexpected touches. Horseshoe, ‘photo’ front very well organized and fun.

Second Place - Kentucky New Era, Melony Leazer
Black history front powerful, informative. Great use of cutouts. Photos incredible. Back to school front colorful, fun, informative. Robert Penn Warren front also great use of photos. Loved the book covers down the rail.

Third Place - The Advocate Messenger, Jennifer Brummett
Wonderful use of photos, colorful fonts, info boxes. Particularly struck by front on young artist.

Honorable Mention - The Advocate Messenger, Emily Toadvine, Staff
Fronts on student lockers and light bulb Christmas ornaments fun.

 

First Place - Kentucky New Era, Melony Leazer
Well-designed page made approachable by art; a little something for everybody. This page proves Opinion can be serious and appealing at the same time. Very nice work!

Second Place - The Independent, John Cannon
Local editorials well written and well researched. Op-ed pages could benefit from more local columnists. Nice display of letters.

Third Place - The Gleaner, Steve Thomas, Ron Jenkins, Dave Dixon
An opinion page should have opinions, and this one has plenty. Citizen columns and op-ed “Yesterday” news add value.

 

First Place - The Advocate Messenger, John Nelson, Jane Cox, Staff
Multiple “pull-in” points for readers without being messy. “Inside” rail effective. Great blend of serious, light-hearted stories. Easy, useful pullouts.

Second Place - The Gleaner, Doug White
Daring “mud bog” package works! Strong photos carry each page. Good headlines.

Third Place - Bowling Green Daily News, Andy Dennis
Traditional look, but not stodgy. Nice typefaces. Shorter subheads would improve look.

© Kentucky Press Association