Category 1 - Best Editorial
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
The writing clearly defines the complex balance of politics, finances and the need for law enforcement in a style and tone that makes sense at the county courthouse and the family dinner table.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Way to go! It's always essential to hold public officials and news sources accountable for the information it's their duty to provide. This editorial is an excellent example.
Third Place
Campbell County Recorder - Jordan Kellogg
Writer shows broad understanding of the issues and is concise in calling for a big-picture approach to a local concern.
Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage
First Place
Olive Hill Times - Tonia Noe
Excellent coverage of a bizarre and somewhat confusing story of an alleged abduction. Noe does a nice job of leading the reader through the chain of events.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Solid writing backed with good photo coverage of environmental event and accident. Craig writes in crisp/clear terms. Nice job!
Third Place
KY Mountain News - Ron Hamblin
Great photo that tells the story along with writing that's short, sweet and to the point. Good work and great timing to capture the moment on camera.
Category 3 - Best General News Story
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Good coverage of a student-teacher alleged long term sexual relationship, including the trial issue of whether there was sex before the student's 16th birthday.
Second Place
Breathitt County Voice - Jeff Noble
Coverage of reunion brought to life yester-year coal towns.
Third Place
McLean County News - Amie Powers
A touching tribute to a young auto accident victim.
Category 4 - Best Feature Story
First Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
A well written account of a long visit by Lady Bird Johnson. Good pictures and nostalgic recall from Breathitt citizens.
Second Place
Lyon County Herald Ledger - Rae Wagoner
A riveting story about a young man who overcame great odds to become a success. Great quotes and written in a gutsy manner.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - Jeff Noble
An interesting tale of two old war buddies being re-united after 62 years had passed. Well written story with good quotes and universal appeal.
Category 5 - Best Column
First Place
Lyon County Herald Ledger - Jody Norwood
Clear winner!! The columns are funny and well written.Give me more!
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Carolyn L. Wells
This former English teacher's column is entertaining and humorous. Made me feel like I would like to know her. Nice.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
He obviously had a good English teacher!! Found his column on mistakes very entertaining (and true!) Good work.
Category 6 - Best Sports Column
First Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
The thrill of victory, agony of defeat and determination of a star in the making may not normally make headlines, but these behind-the-scenes lessons are the perfect ingredients for a sports column. Mr. Fugate captures and conveys them exquisitely.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Steve Everett
Bits & Pieces offers just what it promises - lots of sports news nuggets on a broad scope of athletics.
Category 7 - Best Sports Story
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Fine writing and fun turn this unconventional sports story into an exciting read and offers a glimpse at community spirit in Todd County. Nice job!!
Second Place
McLean County News - Jonna Spelbring Priester
From field conditions to the final score, this is an excellent example of setting the scene and tracing the action on the gridiron. Nicely done.
Third Place
Olive Hill Times - Denver Brown
Imagery and personal comments from players improve this piece and make readers a part of the Comets.
Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story
First Place
Campbell County Recorder - James Weber
This story about a family that loves to win while still loving each other at home is truly a champ among features. Great job!!
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Terrific job telling the Lady Rebels' story, as well as chronicling their many opponents, from first-game nerves to a bout with the stomach flu. Well done!
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - Jeff Noble
This story showcases a member of the Big Blue Machine who will never take the field. The writing is insightful and well thought out.
Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
The clear favorite. Give Craig an A+ for initiative in story selection and research. He delivers the story in a clear and concise manner. Excellent work!
Second Place
Beattyville Enterprise - Edmund Shelby
Excellent treatment of an up and coming problem with good tie ins with environment and fatalities. Well written piece.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Tonya Grace
Good story selection idea, well written article that covers all the issues. Piece is easy to read and understand. Nice work!
Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Outstanding work!!! Armed with news tip, dogged determination and the time to dig, this reporter uncovered taxpayer money funding food and cigarettes for inmates building an emergency operations center. The news may not get more outrageous, but journalism doesn't get better!
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Nice job outlining potential public problems. Clear and concise reporting.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Stephanie R. Craft
Clearly, the Todd County Standard takes its responsibility as a public watchdog seriously. Good job!
Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig, Melony Leazer, Staff
Comprehensive coverage of an important story that kept going and going and going! Well-written stories easily maneuvered the many twists and turns of a delicate subject.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Third Place
Hickman County Gazette - Gaye Bencini
Varied coverage of a unique ongoing event that went beyond the basics. Could have benefitted by going deeper into the community reaction.
Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story
First Place
Todd County Standard - Tonya Grace
Excellent job putting readers in buyers' and sellers' seats during a drought year.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Long
Claws and all, this family-friendly story grabbed readers, while still managing to outline a business venture. Well done.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Mr. Craig turned what would often be a PSA into a sensitive, important story. Nice job!
Category 13 - Best Headline
First Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
Eye-catching headlines!
Second Place
Olive Hill Times - Denver Brown
Captures attention with concise summary of stories.
Third Place
Olive Hill Times - Staff
Clever, tag-line approach.
Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture
First Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Worth a thousand words!
Second Place
Beattyville Enterprise - Edmund Shelby
Great composition tells the dramatic story.
Third Place
Olive Hill Times - Denver Brown
Dramatic fire photo. Shows intensity of event.
Category 15 - Best General News Picture
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Dramatic composition illustrates story well.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Captures peak of moment.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Good composition, freezes action well.
Category 16 - Best Feature Picture
First Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Good composition.
Second Place
McLean County News - Sarah Heaney
Nice moment captured.
Third Place
Trimble Banner - Lorrie Kinkade-Gillock
Chilly egg hunt. You can tell by the girl's expression just how chilly it is.
Category 17 - Best Picture Essay (Spot, General or Feature)
First Place
McLean County News - Sarah Heaney
You can't go wrong photographing kids. Heaney captures the facial expression, excellent quality of work and is sure to appeal to the readers. Deserving of being number 1.
Second Place
Beattyville Enterprise - Edmund Shelby, Cheryle Walton
Photographers Shelby and Walton have captured the essence of the Memorial Day holiday from the simplistic somber tombstones to day-off holiday. Good work!
Third Place
Beattyville Enterprise - Edmund Shelby
Photos are graphic and tell the story. Will do the job of attracting the readers. Second photo could be clearer and larger.
Category 18 - Best Sports Picture
First Place
Todd County Standard - Darrin Cole
A great frame.
Second Place
McLean County News - Sarah Heaney
Awesome action. Had a difficult time making this second instead of first.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
Makes you feel the excitement.
Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay
First Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Entertaining, made me laugh. Enjoyable. Can't think of many readers who wouldn't like it.
Second Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
Could have been a first place winner but too many pictures had nothing to do with the defined subject (person).
Third Place
Olive Hill Times - Denver Brown
Nice selection of pics, but could have been better with some brief descriptions.
Category 20 - Special Sections
First Place
McLean County News - Sarah Heaney, Jonna Spelbring Priester
Great idea. Community oriented and not cluttered with advertisements. Good design.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Staff
Good layout and focus. Clean look.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate, Renee Leveridge
Great content. Layout just a bit cluttered. Solidly focused.
Category 21 - Best Graphic
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Unbelievable idea! Great shock value and really tells the story.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Dana Lianne Long
Graphic really helps explain the story. Quality a bit lacking.
Third Place
Beattyville Enterprise - Edmund Shelby
Average quality, but it does enhance the story.
Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section
First Place
Lyon County Herald Ledger - Jody Norwood
Well-written stories. Good quality photos. Interesting layout.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Stephanie Craft
Good layout and photos. Nice variety of sports.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - James David Fugate
Well-written stories. Quality photos, average layout.
Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Great layout! Really fits the category. Well-written.
Second Place
Breathitt County Voice - Amber Stacy
Good play on words with the title. Nice choice and mixture of photos.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - Amber Stacy
Good photos that help illustrate the story well.
Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page
First Place
Todd County Standard - Stephanie Craft
Appealing layout, not cluttered.
Second Place
McLean County News - Sarah Heaney
Good stories. Photos lacking in quality.
Third Place
Breathitt County Voice - Renee Leveridge
Good stories. Photos and layout slightly lacking.
Category 25 - Best Editorial Page
First Place
Olive Hill Times - Denver Brown
Very local and consistent.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Stephanie Craft
Local stories with passion.
Third Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Local stories but a bit stale.
Category 26 - Best Front Page
First Place
Todd County Standard - Ryan Craig
Excellent package/use of graphics on the use of tax money to buy cigarettes and candy for prisoners. Good promo package to inside stories.
Second Place
Todd County Standard - Stephanie Craft
Third Place
Trimble Banner - Lorrie Kinkade Gillock
Very nice “Chilly Egg Hunt” photo. Clean design. Good headlines.
Category 27 - Best Newspaper Website
© Kentucky Press AssociationCertificate of Merit
Olive Hill Times -
Exact layout as Morehead News. Both websites were designed by an outside company that has a good eye for online newspaper publishing. Featured stories are a few days old. Too many items to process.