Category 1 - Best Editorial
First Place
Ledger Independent - Mary Ann Kearns
“Limits of the law” This editorial strongly reinforces the public's right to know and the newspaper's role in keeping the public informed.
Second Place
Richmond Register - Nick Lewis
Editorial “Clark must be held accountable” well-written and to the point. Neck-and-neck with first place.
Third Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Mike Scogin
Editorial - “Mayor's plans getting harder...” This editorial presents a strong challenge to the mayor's style.
Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage
First Place
Madisonville Messenger - Patricia Wiles
Vividly captures concerns about a brush fire.
Second Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Jim Joseph
The emotion of grieving friends and family comes alive. Strong finish to first place.
Third Place
Middlesboro Daily News - Marisa Anders
The sadness about the storm damage and just plain human emotion come through.
Category 3 - Best General News Story
First Place
Winchester Sun - Katheran Wasson
This story highlights a serious issue most people don't realize exists. I hope there is a follow-up because such incidents are happening with increasing frequency.
Second Place
Commonwealth Journal - Jeff Neal
This story told so well, it's difficult to put down.
Third Place
Richmond Register - Tinsley Carter
Well-researched piece, easy to follow. Could have placed higher but writer doesn't undertand its and their (lead).
Category 4 - Best Feature Story
First Place
Madisonville Messenger - Emily Burton
An in-depth look at one woman's tragic end - full of details. I couldn't stop reading it.
Second Place
Times Tribune - Tim Woerner
Neat story on a local guy. Always interesting to read about someone's past.
Third Place
Harlan Daily Enterprise - Deanna Lee-Sherman
Somewhat lengthy, but an overall good read with plenty of human interest.
Category 5 - Best Column
First Place
Times Tribune - Samantha Swindler
Samantha understands what good column writing is supposed to be. She picks provocative topic and writes with a distinctive voice.
Second Place
Richmond Register - Don McNay
I love McNay's interaction with his readers.
Third Place
Richmond Register - Lorie Love
Lorie Love's column about the 8-year-old maid of honor with a broken heart is a powerful demonstration of a first-person column that really works. So many don't.
Category 6 - Best Sports Column
First Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Chris Hughes
This columnist is a fine storyteller.
Second Place
Madisonville Messenger - Keith Cartwright
Good writer, interesting topics.
Third Place
Harlan Daily Enterprise - John Henson
Good columns. Not far from first.
Category 7 - Best Sports Story
First Place
Richmond Register - Nathan Hutchinson
The story puts me right there, like I had just watched the game. You captured the emotion of the win without sacrificing the facts of the story! Excellent!
Second Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Josh Underwood
Story is full of details. More quotes higher in the story, especially from runners, in the lede, would have helped. Great job.
Third Place
Winchester Sun - Keith Taylor
The lede really pulls me in. This is a great local story everyone will enjoy.
Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story
First Place
Commonwealth Journal - Steve Cornelius
Outstanding story that compelled the reader to continue. I kept wanting to know more and you kept delivering. Great!!
Second Place
Times Tribune - Chris Parsons
Great story that had a real connection for readers. Very inspiring and heartfelt.
Third Place
Murray Ledger & Times - Tommy Dillard
Hilarious and well written story. Way to capture the story within the story.
Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story
First Place
Times Tribune - Marty Finley
A well-researched and well-written examination of an often controversial topic.
Second Place
Richmond Register - Bryan Marshall
A clearly presented expose' of another dangerous youth fad - good research; very informative packaging.
Third Place
Winchester Sun - Brittany Griffin
Highly informative, well-organized discussion of the plight of the homeless.
Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series
First Place
Richmond Register - Kelly Foreman
This writer clearly goes the extra mile in digging for details and compiles them into a gripping narrative.
Second Place
Richmond Register - Kelly Foreman
Easily could have been number one. Excellent investigative effort to get deep into the background.
Third Place
Harlan Daily Enterprise - Deanna Lee Sherman
Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story
First Place
Richmond Register - Kelly Foreman
Easily the winner. Coverage dealt with an important issue, providing comprehensive coverage. Depth of information made it impossible for readers not to understand the situation. Reporting, writing and graphic presentation made excellent, compelling package.
Second Place
Frankfort State Journal - Vince Tweddell
Quite frankly, I've never seen anyone get so much mileage out of a fire. That's a compliment. Tweddell, with some help from Sarah Gividen, has covered just about every base I can think of-and some I wouldn't have thought of. Really good work. Would Tweddell like a job in beautiful, scenic West Virginia? We all could use more reporters like him.
Third Place
Murray Ledger & Times - Michael Dann, Tommy Dillard
Yes, I know this is sports - not “real news.” But the coverage was excelllent and appealing, even to folks who don't care abut golf. It had the effect that really good sports writers strive for - it pulled in readers who normally don't pay much attention to the sports pages. A bonus: Dann's a pretty decent phtographer, in addition to being a good reporter and writer.
Honorable Mention
Frankfort State Journal - Charlie Pearl
Not a particularly glamorous subject, but a very important one. Pearl has looked into all the angles, rather than merely reporting what's handed to him.
Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story
First Place
Frankfort State Journal - Vince Tweddell
Good story on a problem that plagued a majority of farms this spring and summer. Well done.
Second Place
Frankfort State Journal - Charlie Pearl
Well-written and interesting piece, liked that reporter included clothing worn by participants, made it a delight to read.
Third Place
Murray Ledger & Times - Kristin Taylor
Cute story. Who would have thought about such a business? Good organization, good read.
Category 13 - Best Headline
First Place
Murray Ledger & Times - Eric Walker
A different approach to head writing, but it works to “tell” and “sell” this story.
Second Place
Madisonville Messenger - Lori Harrison, Lowell Mendyk
Effective “play” on words is relevant in capturing thrust of story.
Third Place
Harlan Daily Enterprise - Debbie Caldwell
Good rhyme. What fun to set the scene.
Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture
First Place
Times Tribune - Eric Steinkopff
Incredible photo, captures the emotion of the moment without being overly graphic. The picture really tells the story.
Second Place
Commonwealth Journal - Tricia Neal
A very close second. I like the way it was presented on the page. All the key elements were framed perfectly by the photographer.
Third Place
Ledger Independent - Terry Prather
The most unique entry in this class. A real example of right place, right time.
Category 15 - Best General News Picture
First Place
Frankfort State Journal - Hilly Schiffer
This photo was just different. It captures the intensity. I just liked it the best!
Second Place
Commonwealth Journal - Susan Wheeldon
Emotional. Reflects the moment when feelings are released.
Third Place
Madisonville Messenger - Lowell Mendyk
This young guy was very serious. Cute and capturing.
Category 16 - Best Feature Picture
First Place
Winchester Sun - James Mann
Everybody would love to have a photo like this in their newspaper!
Second Place
Ledger Independent - Terry Prather
I hate to say it but cats are just extremely good subjects for photos.
Third Place
Murray Ledger & Times - Michael Dann
The reflection and clarity make this an award winner.
Honorable Mention
Glasgow Daily Times - Gina Kinslow
This photo could have placed as high as second.
Category 17 - Best Picture Essay (Spot, General or Feature)
First Place
Times Tribune - Bill Hanson
Strong, crisp action shots make package. Stronger layout, more definitive hierarchy would have made it nearly perfect.
Second Place
Madisonville Messenger - Jim Pearson
Wonderful dominant captures expression and action. Good shot mixture gives good flavor to re-enactments.
Third Place
Frankfort State Journal - Hilly Schiffer
Just fun to look at. Setting up a strong dominant would have made my job harder.
Category 18 - Best Sports Picture
First Place
Winchester Sun - James Mann
It was the best in a very competitive category. This photographer got it just right and it is framed perfectly.
Second Place
Appalachian News-Express - Jerry Boggs
Still can't figure out how the ball carrier got in this position. Great picture!
Third Place
Madisonville Messenger - Lowell Mendyk
Wonderful action photo, all the components.
Honorable Mention
Harlan Daily Enterprise - Chris Jones
Award winning as well. Tough to rank this far down.
Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay
First Place
Frankfort State Journal - Ginger Lopez
This collection of photos captures the mood of a different kind of sport. The photo techniques and the capture of different emotions set this apart.
Second Place
Winchester Sun - Ron Osborne
This photo essay captured the action and the interaction that takes place in youth soccer. A good mix of images.
Third Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Josh Underwood
A fitting tribute to a successful season.
Category 20 - Special Sections
First Place
Madisonville Messenger - Staff
Very comprehensive look at this anniversary. Stories well written. You put a lot of time in and it shows!
Second Place
Times Tribune - Kasey Doyle
A nicely put together magazine. Very professional look, good stories too. Not just eye-candy.
Third Place
Winchester Sun - James Mann, Keith Taylor, Terah Hatton
Nice magazine highlighting a terrific season.
Honorable Mention
Madisonville Messenger - Staff
Category 21 - Best Graphic
First Place
Times Tribune - Kasey Doyle, Joey Hampton
An eye-catching design throughout, with headlines and backdrop for story all working well together. Good information at bott3903om completed this nicely.
Second Place
Richmond Register - Tinsley Carter, Nancy Taggart, Carrie Curry
An appropriate and informative way to draw readers into this important story.
Third Place
Richmond Register - Carrie Curry, Nancy Taggart
The graphic elements work well with the headline to let readers know right away what this story is about.
Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section
First Place
Richmond Register - Nathan Hutchinson
Strong design, emphasis on local coverage plus the basic national report makes this section the best of the group!
Second Place
Times Tribune - Sports Staff
Strong local coverage and good use of photos.
Third Place
Mayfield Messenger - Kevin Weaks
Good mix of features and game coverage.
Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page
Certificate of Merit
Appalachian News-Express - Loretta Tackett
Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page
First Place
Frankfort State Journal - Chase Sewell
A strong blend of local features on appealing topics, community news and helpful information topped off with eye-catching cover design.
Second Place
Madisonville Messenger - Lori Harrison, Lowell Mendyk
Interesting cover stories supplemented by the type of local family-type news that readers like.
Third Place
Times Tribune - Bobbie Poynter
Strong emphasis on community news.
Category 25 - Best Editorial Page
First Place
Appalachian News-Express - Rachel Stanley
All three pages submitted had a local editorial on an interesting topic. In each case, the piece was well-written and not impenetrably long. Each page also had at least one reader letter, another plus. The local columnist should be given a length limit about half what he's turning in now.
Second Place
Frankfort State Journal - Todd Duvall
This was the best designed page of those submitted by far. Each page included a local editorial. On all three pages the editorial page editor writes about politics. I suggest he vary his subject matter.
Third Place
Georgetown News-Graphic - Daniel Kelley
Category 26 - Best Front Page
First Place
Frankfort State Journal - Keren Henderson
Great news photos very well used. This paper does not make the mistake of what so many in this category do -- overdesigning!
Second Place
Times Tribune - Kasey Doyle
Third Place
Richmond Register - Lorie Love, Carrie Curry, Kelly Foreman, Tinsley Carter
Category 27 - Best Newspaper Website
First Place
Georgetown News-Graphic -
The entertainment section is awesome!
Second Place
Frankfort State Journal -
© Kentucky Press AssociationThird Place
Ledger Independent -