The Star won 22 awards in the Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors 2009 contest, including nine first-place awards. The total number of awards and first-place awards was the most for any newspaper in The Star¹s class, for
Alabama daily newspapers with circulation between 15,000 and 40,000. The awards were announced earlier this month.
Other newspapers honored in the class included the Tuscaloosa News, The (Florence) TimesDaily, The Gadsden Times and The Decatur Daily.
A special report on the ordeal of Kenny and Linda Callahan of Saks was honored with the news writing sweepstakes award, a first-place award for news features and a first-place award for best photo story.
Kenny Callahan had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late 2008, and died in January 2009. Former Features Editor Laura Tutor and photographer Stephen Gross accepted the Callahans¹ invitation to record their story, an
emotional narrative published in a special section less than a month after Kenny¹s death.
Another special report, by sports columnist Joe Medley, on the dangers of staphylococcus infections for local sports teams, was honored with the sports writing sweepstakes award and took first place for sports non-deadline writing.
The Star also earned first-place awards for business and economic coverage, sports photography and page design. The awards were judged by editors at AP member newspapers in Tennessee.
"We are flattered by the recognition of the hard work done every day by The Star's journalists," said Bob Davis, The Star¹s editor. “The awards inspire us to press harder in telling the stories of our community, both large and small.”
The Star also brought home honors earlier this year in the Alabama Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, with 14 awards in all, including six first-place awards. In that contest, The Star competed in the largest division. Only one other state newspaper won more awards and more first-place awards. The APA awards will be presented this week at a convention in Perdido Beach.
Alabama APME 2009 Awards won by The Star
NEWSWRITING
1st Place Best Newsfeatures: The Anniston Star, Laura Tutor, “The other side.”
2nd Place Best Newsfeatures: The Anniston Star, Megan Nichols, “For want of hope.”
1st Place Best Business News: The Anniston Star, Michael A. Bell, Dan Whisenhunt, Mike Faulk, “Red Ink: The economic downturn in NE Alabama.”
Newswriting Sweepstakes: The Anniston Star, Laura Tutor, “The other side.”
Judge: “Incredible, powerful journalism. I cried.”
SPORTSWRITING
2nd Place Best Sports Deadline Reporting: The Anniston Star. Christa Turner. “Iron Bowl Gamer.”
1st Place Best Sports Non-Deadline Reporting: The Anniston Star, Joe Medley, “Staph series.”
2nd Place Best Sports Non-Deadline Reporting: The Anniston Star, Bran Strickland, “Economy 500.”
3rd Place Best Sports Column Writing: The Anniston Star, Joe Medley. Sportswriting Sweepstakes: The Anniston Star, Joe Medley, “Staph series.”
PHOTOGRAPHY:
3rd Place Best Spot News: The Anniston Star, Bill Wilson, “Laying of the roses.”
2nd Place Best Feature Photo: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross, “Ohhh!”
1st Place Best Picture Story: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross, “The Other Side.”
3rd Place Best Humorous Moments: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross, “My best friend Jerry”
2nd Place Best Sports Action Photo: The Anniston Star, Bill Wilson, “Carl Edwards hits the fence”
3rd Place Best Sports Action Photo: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross, “Touchdown Tate”
1st Place Best Sports Feature Photo: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross, “Winning Reaction”
2nd Place Portfolio: The Anniston Star, Stephen Gross.
MAKEUP
1st Place Best Deadline Page Design: The Anniston Star, copy desk.
1st Place Best Non-Deadline Page Design: The Anniston Star, Angela Reid and Kevin Jeffers.
2nd Place Best News Graphics: The Anniston Star, Deirdre Long.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
2nd Place Best Community Service: The Anniston Star, “Burying history,” Dan Whisenhunt, Rebecca Walker, Megan Nichols, Phillip Tutor.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
3rd Place Best Freedom of Information: The Anniston Star, “Anniston City Manager Search,” Megan Nichols, Bob Davis.
Alabama Press Association 2009 Better Newspaper Contest awards won by The
Star
Best special section, first place: “The Other Side” by Laura Tutor and Stephen Gross
Best niche publication, first place - “Year of the Dawgs” by sports staff
Best local economic coverage, first place
Best in-depth news coverage, first place: “The silent partner” by Dan Whisenhunt; third place, “A shot in the night” by John Fleming
Best local sports column, first place: “A football coach and so much more” by Bran Strickland
Best feature photo, first place: “Baby squirrel” by Stephen Gross
Best news feature story, second place: “Smooth access to doctor¹s office crucial to efficient treatments” by Laura Tutor
Best sports news in-depth coverage, second place: “Inspiration from infection” by Joe Medley
Best photo essay, second place: “The other side” by Stephen Gross
Best sports page, third place
Best local news coverage, third place
Best sports feature story, third place - “Running to finish” by Joe Medley
Best news photo, third place - “Missed warnings leave trailer park residents flooded out” by Stephen Gross
Source: Alabama Associated Press and Alabama Press Association
