2006 Excellence in Kentucky Newspapes

Category 1 - Best Editorial

First Place - Interior Journal, George Lewis
Editorials that offer possible solutions work better than those that do not. This piece not only defines the problem, but also offers advice on how to bend with it.

Second Place - Boone County Recorder, Nancy Daly
It’s good to remind readers that they also have a vested interest in keeping records open and accessible.

Third Place - Interior Journal, George Lewis
Provocative headline draws readers into discussion of how to salvage worthwhile program.

Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage

First Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
The reporter provided a clear and basic lead. The article was balanced in the use of quotes.

Second Place - Henry County Local, Brooke Melville, Melissa Blankenship
The article put a face on the damage caused by the storm. The writing was clear for the reader.

Third Place - Springfield Sun, Trish Devine
Overall news coverage was good!

Category 3 - Best General News Story

First Place - Henry County Local, Brooke Melville
A full, rich account of a timely topic. Good detail from students.

Second Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
Lots of quotes from families, good details. The Christmas tree still up in January was great.

Third Place - Boone County Recorder, Paul McKibben
An interesting, different approach to a presidential visit. Some good quotes from the participants.

Category 4 - Best Feature Story

First Place - Henry County Local, Kathryn Jacewicz
High school band coverage is usually buried in the back of the paper and sparce. Jacewicz played it up big and gave the kids the story they deserved.

Second Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
A touching story of a family dealing with mom’s cancer.

Third Place - Interior Journal, Nancy Leedy
Heroic bone marrow donation by a 16-year-old was moving.

Honorable Mention - Times Journal, Greg Wells

Category 5 - Best Column

First Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
Funny, funny stuff. Great imagery and word choice. This writer makes readers see, hear and feel the events and situations she describes.

Second Place - Spencer Magnet, John Shindlebower
Solid writing, good choice of topics. “A Young Man’s Example,” is particularly touching.

Third Place - Clay City Times, Jeff Kerr
Free-wheeling and well-written. Readers should look forward to Kerr’s weekly comment.

Category 6 - Best Sports Column

First Place - Henry County Local, Tommie Kendall
Nice range of topics that were engaging and well written.

Second Place - Springfield Sun, Tom Bystrek
Bystrek writes local columns with passion.

Third Place - Cadiz Record, Michael Stanley
“Thoughts from the stands” weaves local and national topics well.

Category 7 - Best Sports Story

First Place - Interior Journal, Nancy Leedy
Nice mix of quotes and facts in this football blowout game.

Second Place - Falmouth Outlook, Jackie Vaughn
A coach announcing his retirement gave insight from both the coach and his replacement.

Third Place - Interior Journal, Nancy Leedy
A stronger lead would have spiced up this well-written piece on baby Patriots basketball.

Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story

First Place - Spencer Magnet, John Shindlebower
Seven seniors who formed Spencer County’s firs football team was a nice tribute to “pioneers” of the team.

Second Place - LaRue County Herald News, Ron Benningfield
Nice quotes and easy to read writing. Paints a picture of the hunters.

Third Place - Cadiz Record, Michael Stanley
New girl’s soccer coach story by Stanley was very good.

Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story

First Place - News Democrat, Lorrie Kinkade
“The Art of Vandalism” a look at graffiti in our society was interesting.

Second Place - McCreary County Voice, Andrew Powell
“McCreary Among Nation’s Poorest” looks at economically depressed area with real hard facts.

Third Place - Interior Journal, George Lewis
Well rounded story about beach dangers and opposite views.

Honorable Mention - McCreary County Voice, Gabe Manninen

Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series

First Place - News Democrat, Lorrie Kinkade
Kinkade takes an in-depth look at all kinds of cancer including prevention, treatment and personal accounts with a passion.

Second Place - Henry County Local, Kathryn Jacewicz
A look back at a murder in a small town 69 years ago. Very in-depth and striking.

Third Place - LaRue County Herald News, Erin McCoy
Welfare investigation comes to forefront in this well written piece.

Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story

First Place - Spencer Magnet, John Shindlebower
A community rallies behind a man whose house was destroyed by fire to replace it and Shindlebower was there to cover the whole ordeal.

Second Place - McCreary County Voice, Andrew Powell, Greg Bird
These two did an informative story series on hard economic times for a county.

Third Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
Drug testing school story was very thoughful and well written.

Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story

First Place - News Democrat, Lorrie Kinkade
50th Anniversary of pharmacy pays tribute to a committed business family.

Second Place - McCreary County Voice, Gabe Manninen
Tattoo story is interesting and engaging.

Third Place - Citizen Voice & Times, Tish King
New invention story is well written.

Category 13 - Best Headline

First Place - McCreary County Voice, Andrew Powell
“Still Life” about confiscating an alcohol still. Simple and perfect.

Second Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
“Driver charged when shed hits the street” made me laugh.

Third Place - Spencer Magnet, John Shindlebower
“A Bermuda Triangle” funny play of words about a football field with Bermuda grass.

Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Amazing the pilot was uninjured in plane crash. Photographer’s quick response to the scene got the storytelling picture.

Second Place - Henry County Local, Melissa Blankenship
Great emotional moment shows impact of church fire on church members.

Third Place - Times Journal, Greg Wells
Tough situation for all on the scene. Good job showing scene/reaction and being discreet.

Category 15 - Best General News Picture

First Place - Interior Journal, Nancy Leedy
Nice contrast of white doves against black clothing of funeral gown; catches the moment.

Second Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
Emotion on wife’s face as she hugs returning husband/soldier.

Third Place - Henry County Local, Kathryn Jacewicz
Good access to marijuana plant crop seizure, takes readers to place they can’t go.

Category 16 - Best Feature Picture

First Place - News Democrat, Lorrie Kinkade
Best photo by far because of humor and unique event.

Second Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Quiet, but cute. Could use some expression.

Third Place - Greenup County News Times, Mason Branham
This had great potential. We like humor in it. This photo could have been shot so that it was less busy and more shallow depth of field.

Category 17 - Best Picture Essay (Spot, General or Feature)

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Rose to the top quickly. Nice package.

Second Place - Henry County Local, Brooke Melville
This had a lot of good emotion throughout.

Third Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Good overall package, although quiet. Could use a better peak moment in lede.

Category 18 - Best Sports Picture

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
This is good emotion, nice shot and clean.

Second Place - Spencer Magnet, John Shindlebower
This is unique and has humor. Could be cleaner.

Third Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
Good emotion, pretty clean composition.

Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Good emotion, clean action photos.

Second Place - Interior Journal, Nancy Leedy
Strong reader appeal.

Third Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
More variety with lensing would have placed entry higher.

Category 20 - Special Sections

First Place - Interior Journal, Staff
“Congratulations Class of 2006” really classy. A real keepsake.

Second Place - McCreary County Voice, Suzanna Martinez
Full color section with solid grab photos. Really cool, with no advertising. The parents better subscribe.

Third Place - Herald News, Judy Wright
“Letters to Santa” section, nothing new here, just a really cute cover and gobs of letters that everyone reads.

Category 21 - Best Graphic

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Hope Selby
This one stands out. School numbers on a chalkboard is cool.

Second Place - Spencer Magnet, Hope Selby
Very good graphic.

Third Place - Henry County Local, Kathryn Jacewicz
Simple graphic that is eye-catching.

Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section

First Place - McCreary County Voice, Staff
Different looking sports section, but it works. Good stories and photos.

Second Place - Cadiz Record, Michael Stanley
Writing and layout are good. The photos are a little soft.

Third Place - Springfield Sun, Staff
Great clean, crisp color photos and good stories.

Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page

First Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
Attractive layout (although too much ragged right) broad range of information.

Second Place - Springfield Sun, Jeff Moreland
“Washington County Ag by the numbers” was a nice photo spread.

Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page

First Place - Spencer Magnet, Robin Bass
Good use of photos to tell the story.

Second Place - McCreary County Voice, Staff
Good variety. Nice display.

Third Place - Citizen Voice & Times, Tish King
Local recipes brightened by local pix and commentary.

Category 25 - Best Editorial Page

First Place - Henry County Local, Brooke Melville
Redesign is a great improvement although emphasizing first names of staff is a little odd. Good typograpy. Look for a local cartoonist.

Second Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
“Linda’s Lines” have the feel of a personal editorial. Interesting elements throughout. Line graphics help.

Third Place - Interior Journal, George Lewis
The page is a little gray, but solid content. Appreciated Lewis’ explanation of types of comment on the page.

Category 26 - Best Front Page

First Place - News Democrat, Phyllis Codling
I liked the subtle colors used on the front page. So many beat you over the head with reds and blues. Nice touch.

Second Place - LaRue County Herald News, Linda Ireland
Nice use of white space. Clean layout. Watch leading is not overused to fit story.

Third Place - Henry County Local, Brooke Melville
A lot of interesting design elements used. Keep up the good work.

Honorable Mention - Times Journal, Jerry Gibson

Category 27 - Best Newspaper Website

First Place - Springfield Sun,
Nice use of photos with stories. Breaking news alert feature good addition. Special section posted local ads section easy to navigate.

Second Place - Interior Journal,
Well designed site. Easy to navigate. Could use more photos with stories and ad content. Many of pdf ads wouldn’t display. Overall look very nice.

Third Place - News Democrat/Trimble Banner,
The site is well designed. Could use more photos in news content. Pet of the week and Adopt A Pet areas are nice features. Fairly low interaction even though site is news.