Category 1 - Best Editorial
First Place
Oldham Era - Julie Satterly
A forceful call to action to curb an abuse of the system.
Second Place
Oldham Era - Jacquelyn Stoess
This editorial pulls no punches in citing an all to common corruption of the police hiring process.
Third Place
Grant County News - Jamie Baker-Nantz
A well-written appeal to reason in an explosive local situation.
Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage
First Place
Cynthiana Democrat - Becky Barnes
This account fills in details of a fast-breaking event, while still setting the scene and painting a portrait of the people involved. Terrific work!!
Second Place
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Mr. Carlson tells the story succinctly and safely, without descending into sterility in a very emotional situation. This piece strikes the perfect balance betweem news and feature.
Third Place
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Through reporting with a very effective personal touch.
Category 3 - Best General News Story
First Place
Oldham Era - Mark Hengel
Excellent job exploring all angles of a home designed to change lives without altering a neighborhood.
Second Place
Grant County News - Jamie Baker-Nantz
This is a terrific follow-up to a piece that no doubt made headlines when the crash happened. Ms. Baker-Nantz expertly outlines one teen's struggle to reclaim life and find a new normal.
Third Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Mark White
Nice work tracing a lengthy, complex case.
Category 4 - Best Feature Story
First Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
Through this in-depth look at one prisoner, readers get a taste of what life is like for them. Excellent use of quotes. The water obviously put a great deal of time and research into this story, then presented it in a way guaranteed to take the reader all the way to the final period. Well done!!
Second Place
Anderson News - Brian Smith
Great idea! Putting a sample quiz at the end of the story really helped get the point across! Getting public officials involved was also a nice touch.
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Josh Thomas
Great read. It's an interesting overview with great sidebars. Excellent lead and good use of quotes.
Honorable Mention
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Strong story and photos. Compelling. Great lead. Would have been better if focus had been on his recovery efforts rather than asking for money. Possible sidebar - How many in the area are without health insurance?
Category 5 - Best Column
First Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Trent Knuckles
Thoughtful, well-written opinionated pieces. He tells it like it is...like it or not. Well done.
Second Place
Anderson News - Jay Cason
Mr. Cason's piece on his son is touching, without being “sappy.” His honesty is refreshing in the piece about July 4 visitors. I can see myself as a regular reader.
Third Place
The Record - Stephanie Hornback
Entertaining column. Very down-to-earth style.
Category 6 - Best Sports Column
First Place
Casey County News - Jeff Bastin
Mr. Bastin discusses topics near and dear to the hearts of sports fans. He goes from funny to serious seamlessly ... good job.
Second Place
Grant County News - Paul Gable
Loved the article on tag. Mr. Gable said all and said it right. I like his style.
Third Place
Anderson News - John Herndon
Nice tribute to a friend and hero in “the loss of a hero” column. Also like the Don Small column. Good writing!
Category 7 - Best Sports Story
First Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Jim McAlister
Grade A sports reporting. Tells the story, gives the history, easy to read, the way a story should be.
Second Place
Anderson News - John Herndon
Easy to read, informative. Mr. Herndon has obviously got a great skills set.
Third Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
Just a few little glitches kept this story from being number one. Still a good job, solid writing.
Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story
First Place
Ohio County Times-News - Don Wilkins
Descriptive, detailed, interesting. Everything a good sports feature should be.
Second Place
Jessamine Journal - Abby Laub
I liked the detail and the flow. Good quotes. Good presentation.
Third Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
Not your typical sports feature but it's good, very good.
Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story
First Place
Casey County News - Donna Carman
Good topic, indepth and informative. Everything a story in this category should be.
Second Place
Oldham Era - Jacquelyn Stoess
Difficult choice between first and second. Had to literally flip a coin. Very interesting piece!
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Katheran Wasson
Excellent research and presentation, the homework was complete. Could have been a first place as well!
Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series
First Place
Casey County News - Donna Carman
Well-rounded and informative. Took a relatively common story and made it pop.
Second Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
Interesting topic, wondering why school relies so much on this income. Well written.
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Lisa King
Good facts, good description, readable presentation.
Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story
First Place
Grant County News - Jamie Baker-Nantz
Excellent coverage.
Second Place
Mt. Sterling Advocate - Tom Marshall
Third Place
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story
First Place
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Hands down winner. Approached the topic from numerous angles. Took the time and made the effort to do it right.
Second Place
Casey County News - Brittanny Johnson
Warm and fuzzy, yet informative. Well done.
Third Place
The Record - Stephanie Hornback
Nice presentation, good facts, easy to read.
Category 13 - Best Headline
First Place
Jessamine Journal - Abigail Laub
Good head achieved in tight one-column space. Well done.
Second Place
Anderson News - John Herndon
Catchy headline. Spirited for sports page.
Third Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Trent Knuckles
Head -Whitley voters don't - says a lot in a few words.
Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture
First Place
Casey County News - Randall Vaught
Interesting social commentary in a freak car wreck situation.
Second Place
Cynthiana Democrat - Becky Barnes
An excellent job of capturing peak moment of action.
Third Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Mark White
Good human interest shot, well illustrates this news event.
Category 15 - Best General News Picture
First Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
A bit of whimsy amid a somber ceremony.
Second Place
Jessamine Journal - Mike Moore
Beauty and the beast with a comic twist.
Third Place
Union County Advocate - Carrie Dillard
Good composition and natural bold lighting enhances this charming shot of two youngsters.
Category 16 - Best Feature Picture
First Place
Jessamine Journal - Mike Moore
Second Place
Jessamine Journal - Katheran Wasson
It's a quiet photo, but I kept returning to it. Nice color palette.
Third Place
Union County Advocate - Carrie Dillard
Category 17 - Best Picture Essay (Spot, General or Feature)
First Place
Oldham Era - Jacqueline Stoess
Toughest category in whole contest.
Second Place
Casey County News - Staff
Third Place
Lebanon Enterprise - Stevie Daugherty
Category 18 - Best Sports Picture
First Place
Ohio County Times-News - Dustin Bratcher
Second Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Mark White
Third Place
Cynthiana Democrat - Becky Barnes
Honorable Mention
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Mark White
Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay
First Place
Lebanon Enterprise - Stephen Lega
I guess “corn hole” is a sport and fits the category.
Second Place
Oldham Era - John Foster
With color probably would have been first.
Third Place
Union County Advocate - Carrie Dillard
Category 20 - Special Sections
First Place
Cynthiana Democrat - Staff
The staff did a great job of covering the 10-year anniversary of the flood. I read it cover to cover. The stories were compeling and the photos were amazing.
Second Place
Casey County News - Staff
Apple Festival section - I had a lot of fun reading this section. It was well laid out and organized with good stories about the festival.
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Staff
Public Safety Section - this was a very creative special section. It provided your readers with useful information.
Category 21 - Best Graphic
First Place
Oldham Era - Julie Satterly
Second Place
Cynthiana Democrat - Donald Richie, Suzie Fryman
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Josh Thomas
Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section
First Place
Anderson News - Mary Madden Garrison
Second Place
Oldham Era - Julie Satterly, Mickey Patterson
Third Place
Union County Advocate - Brandon Cole
Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page
First Place
Grant County News - Jamie Baker-Nantz
Second Place
The Record - De Anna Lasley
Third Place
Corbin/Whitley News Journal - Trent Knuckles
Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page
First Place
Oldham Era - Julie Satterly
Lots of tough competition in this category.
Second Place
Jessamine Journal - Shane Walters
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Shane Walters
Category 25 - Best Editorial Page
First Place
Casey County News - Donna Carman
Good story and layout. Good community input.
Second Place
Anderson News - Ben Carlson
Good layout, provocative stories.
Third Place
Jessamine Journal - Shane Walters
Good stories, clean layout.
Category 26 - Best Front Page
First Place
Oldham Era - Julie Satterly
Another very tough competition to choose three winners from about 25 entries.
Second Place
Jessamine Journal - Shane Walters
Third Place
Grant County News - Jamie Baker-Nantz
Category 27 - Best Newspaper Website
First Place
The Record -
Special online sections, Guestbook **** (reader feedback). Ads organized to avoid clutter on page. Good links and special features throughout site.
Second Place
Jessamine Journal -
Ads organized well. The sidebar is nice, but too many stories. Navigation slow from story to story, section to section. Plain visual design.
© Kentucky Press AssociationThird Place
Oldham Era -
Online polls**** Video clips **** (no local clips?) Ad placement overwhelming takes away from visual appeal. Week old stories on cover. The videos at bottom make no sense.