Category 1 - Best Editorial

First Place - Lebanon Enterprise, Stephen Lega
Major issue, well written, supporting citations included induction, the issue was thoroughly researched and documented.

Second Place - Casey County News, Donna Carman
Important issue, clearly supporting the public’s right to know and be involved in public policy issue. Well written, covered a lot of items but always has clear focus on issue.

Third Place - Mt. Sterling Advocate, Steven Wilson
Clear statement in support of community values. Very clear, very direct and focused. Also like the larger font making it easier to read.

Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage

First Place - Anderson News, Ben Carlson
Comprehensive coverage of a stand off that was surely the talk of the town. Few questions left unanswered.

Second Place - Mt. Sterling Advocate, Tom Marshall
Good job of reporting problems caused by heavy rain and flooding. Lots of good information.

Third Place - Cynthiana Democrat, Becky Barnes
Thorough reporting of an unusual incident. Good quotes. Good background.

Category 3 - Best General News Story

First Place - Lebanon Enterprise, Stephen Lega
One editor said, “If you have fish in a barrel, shoot them.” Lega bagged the lot.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Jacquelyn Stoess
A full, rich extended obituary whose only possible failing was that it was too much.

Third Place - Central City Leader News, Samantha Carver
Good job getting the people affected to talk. Given the situation, that was the strength of the story.

Category 4 - Best Feature Story

First Place - Central City Leader News, Sam Ford
Compelling story, tightly written, great use of quotes to move it along and get inside these friends. Just kept coming back to this one, not just a “human-interest” story, but a very “human” story.

Second Place - Voice Tribune, Jacob Glassner
Tantalizing, intriguing look into a mysterious society through this group’s eyes, and a candid look back our way, from Iranians quoted. Leaves the reader with questions, in a good way.

Third Place - Casey County News, Donna Carman
Details and narrative lifted this above other “addict” features. Writer stayed in control of story.

Category 5 - Best Column

First Place - Cynthiana Democrat, Becky Barnes
Solid writer. Daughter’s wreck column was captivating. Overall, gets to the point, passion shows through the writing, good storyteller.

Second Place - Anderson News, Don White
Another solid entry. Close second. Clever handle. Column does what it’s supposed to do. It’s a bit formulaic, which is not a criticism.

Third Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Edged out above some really good columns because all of these entries were consistently above average. Youthful approach could help draw younger readers.

Category 6 - Best Sports Column

First Place - McCreary County Record, Don Perry
A lot of readers probably disagree with Don Perry, but I’ll bet he gets them talking. Strong opinions, well presented.

Second Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Jim McAlister
A more traditional sports column that shows a wealth of knowledge.

Third Place - Anderson News, John Herndon
Well-written feature work and an admirable willingness to take on a tough subject.

Category 7 - Best Sports Story

First Place - Anderson News, John Herndon
Good opening that gives a sense of the atmosphere of the team; and honest account of the team’s challenges.

Second Place - Grant County News, Trina Kinstler
Good delayed lead; the waiting for the game and the reader’s waiting for the results worked well together.

Third Place - Anderson News, John Herndon
Story uses knowledge of the team’s history in a creative way. Adds a huge amount of credibility to the writer and the paper.

Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Excellent, non-traditional sports story. Well written, not overdramatic, just some thing that exposes the human side of young athletes.

Second Place - McCreary County Record, Don Perry
Good feature showing how athletes can do much more than perform on the court. Writer has a very pleasing style.

Third Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Sports sections need more stories like this, combined with shorter game stories. A lot to like in this non-traditional feature.

Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story

First Place - Voice Tribune, Melissa Moody
Good explanation of a complicated and little discussed topic. Great quotes, hard to believe Senator (Harris) would be so forthcoming.

Second Place - Casey County News, Linda Carmicle
Good look at an important public safety issue.

Third Place - Jessamine Journal, Lisa King
Interesting read with a public safety angle. Might have placed higher with more sources and more angles.

Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series

First Place - Ohio County Times-News, Don Wilkins
This is not a unique problem, but it takes guts to take on a story like this. Shows that it doesn’t take a ton of research to make a good investigative story. Good balance.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Jacquelyn Stoess
Good detail, strong community/public safety interest.

Third Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Trent Knuckles
Good job of uncovering important and interesting details. Could have moved some of the more shocking numbers to the front page.

Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story

First Place - Mt. Sterling Advocate, Tom Marshall, Steven Wilson
In a particularly strong competition with a dozen good series, this one stood out particularly for getting the owner’s background from the outset.

Second Place - Jessamine Journal, Staff
Extensive and thorough coverage of a story with lots of twists and turns.

Third Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Mark White
Getting the toxicology reports gave readers answers they might not have received.

Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Nicely paced story of farmer who diversified before it was “cool” to do so. Plenty of agri-biz detail, but writer does not get bogged down with the nuts and bolts stuff. Keeps it moving.

Second Place - Anderson News, Jay Cason
A run-of-the-mill “New Biz” story with a terrific back story. Too many of these type stories fail to get beneath the surface and that’s often where the good stuff resides.

Third Place - Jessamine Journal, Mike Moore
Nifty feel-good story about revitalization of a longtime landmark.

Category 13 - Best Headline

First Place - McCreary County Record, Don Perry
“The young and the wrestlers” sold me, especially with the photo. Headlines work best when they work together with the art.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Michael Patterson
Good play on the name. The art and headline work to reinforce each other.

Third Place - Mt. Sterling Advocate, Steven Wilson
Cute and clever.

Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture

First Place - Oldham Era, Mandy Simpson
Maybe the smallest-run first place winner. The person behind sheet makes the photo.

Second Place - Anderson News, Ben Carlson
Good spot news, well composed.

Third Place - Cynthiana Democrat, Donald Richie
Nice, we wonder how nice in color.

Category 15 - Best General News Picture

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Good thinking and risk taking with veteran saluting flag through the flames.

Second Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Nice memorial photo for national tragedy.

Third Place - Leitchfield Record, DeAnna Lasley
Somber tribute to influential community leader. A change of angle (move to left) would have cleaned up the background and placed higher. Fight to keep type off pictures.

Category 16 - Best Feature Picture

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Clear winner. This picture has it all; layers, light, comp, emotion.

Second Place - Jessamine Journal, Zoya Tereshkova
Touching moment even without seeing her face.

Third Place - McCreary County Record, Don Perry
We all felt for the “granny.”

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

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster, Jacquelyn Stoess
Easy first, nice effect in lede photo and good supporting pictures.

Second Place - Lebanon Enterprise, Stephen Lega
Several nice moments. Could use different lensing.

Third Place - Oldham Era, John Foster

Category 18 - Best Sports Picture

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Nice tight peak action.

Second Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Laura Kersey
Great emotion but we hate the harsh direct flash. If it was better technically it would have placed higher.

Third Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Nice way to handle three standout soccer players. Great lighting just needs something more to place higher.

Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay

First Place - Oldham Era, John Foster
Nice lead and detail. Good package.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Jacquelyn Stoess
Lede photo is best. Hard to miss with kid athletes. Rose to top quickly.

Third Place - Casey County News, Donna Carman
Good coverage of event overall.

Category 20 - Special Sections

First Place - Oldham Era, Staff
Lots of information in a good, clean design that clearly separates news content from political advertising.

Second Place - Jessamine Journal, Staff
Good idea for theme of section, and well-executed. Good use of graphics and photos.

Third Place - Anderson News, Mary Madden Garrison
Well designed, nearly all staff generated! Kudos for actually having an index page. Good use of photo illustrations; good idea on centerspread but should have tweaked type to keep it from bleeding.

Category 21 - Best Graphic

First Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Trent Knuckles
Good layout and typography; provides a summary of election results at a glance.

Second Place - McCreary County Record, Ken Shmidheiser
Neat, clean and easy to understand. Drop shadows and gradients enhance image without overwhelming it.

Third Place - Oldham Era, Julie Nelson Satterly
Understated and elegant.

Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section

First Place - Jessamine Journal, Abigail Laub
Good variety of comprehensive coverage. Good use of photos. Better than average writing. Most pages could use a stronger lead headline or centerpiece.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Julie Nelson Satterly, Michael Patterson
Clean, creative design. Good leads and crisp magazine-style writing. Sports Bytes is a good way to cover a lot in a small space.

Third Place - Marshall County Tribune Courier, Justin McGill, Brian York, Warren King
Some good visual ideas. Work on leads and headline writing.

Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page

First Place - Casey County News, Donna Carman, Randall Vaught
Well written features, good variety of content. Design and photos could be stronger.

Second Place - Corbin/Whitley News Journal, Trent Knuckles
Interesting features, good job especially on gas station piece. As in above entry, design and photos could use work. Try to make room for briefs.

Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page

First Place - Oldham Era, Julie Nelson Satterly
Clean, stylish pages, but lots of information and variety too. Brief heads could be bigger and bolder. Consistently outstanding work!

Second Place - Jessamine Journal, Mike Moore
Nice features, lively pages. Calendar on section front is a plus.

Third Place - Marshall County Tribune Courier, Paul Hanak, Justin McGill
Good variety, something for the whole family. Nice labeling of “standing” items (births, anniversaries, etc.). Find more legible calendar typeface.

Category 25 - Best Editorial Page

First Place - Grant County News, Jamie Baker-Nantz
Above average design. Good, clear explanation and labeling of editorials, columns, how to participate. Very reader friendly throughout. Good sense of connection with community.

Second Place - Oldham Era, Julie Nelson Satterly
Nice design, well labeled elements; centerpiece pinning down council members a nice touch. Kudos for including blog responses in point-counterpoint though type is too small.

Third Place - Anderson News, Ben Carlson
Well-written editorials, good headlines. Cartoon or other art could occasionally be larger.

Category 26 - Best Front Page

First Place - Cynthiana Democrat, Donald Richie, Robin Smiley, Suzie Fryman
Elegant and sophisticated layout. Good mix of stories and photos. Designers use some computer generated effects to their advantage.

Second Place - Anderson News, Mary Madden Garrison
Good, solid modular layout; good use of photos; good mix of content. I expecially like the election graphic above the flag on 5/17/06.

Third Place - Oldham Era, Julie Nelson Satterly
Strong photos, well displayed. Elegant flag. Good story mix and modular layout.

Category 27 - Best Newspaper Website

First Place - Oldham Era,
Very pleasing design. Nice mix of stories and ads on front. Stories are interesting and diverse. Good use of photos. Very easy to navigate throughout the site. Especeilly liked the breaking news box, news tip line and newsstand outlets links as well as the pdf of the print edition front page.

Second Place - The Record,
Good looking front page but looks a little dated. Obituaries listed on the front a nice touch. Nice to see a poll, too. good selection of links - easy to navigate. Good selection of content with tie-ins to other sites where beneficial.

Third Place - Jessamine Journal,
Nice banner/flag. Nice front but not as efficient use of space as first and second place sites. Like the large photo and the “buy photos” tile/link. Stories were easy to read and find. Nav index on left side looks very dated but does provide for easy navigation of the site.

© Kentucky Press Association