Sun Herald Earns Awards

By Kate Magandy, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

Jun. 25–BILOXI — Three Sun Herald journalists took top individual awards and the Sun Herald took the top award presented at the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest awards luncheon Saturday at IP Casino.

The luncheon topped a three-day summer convention that took its theme from the recovery of South Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Sun Herald won General Excellence for its work in the last year, and the Community Service Award. Overall, the Sun Herald took home 18 first-place awards.

Staff writer Anita Lee took first place in general news for her story on victims of Hurricane Katrina. The first place also was recognized for the top writing award, earning her the Bill Minor Award.

Photojournalists John Fitzhugh and David Purdy shared Photo of the Year, Fitzhugh for his work on “Marcia’s Journey” about a cancer survivor and Purdy for spot-news photo of “Steve W. Safe.”

Lauren Scott of the Bolivar Commercial won the Daniel M. Phillips Freedom of Information Award and Rachel Eide of The Commercial Dispatch of Columbus won the J. Oliver Emmerich Editorial Excellence Award.

CNN’s Kathleen Koch spoke in the Saturday morning session, which was followed by a panel discussion by South Mississippi newspaper editors about how to prepare for covering a catastrophe.

Ralph Braseth, student media director at Ole Miss, presented a 25-minute documentary about how the five Coast newspapers continued to publish after being devastated along with their communities.

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Sun Herald awards received

Community Service: First Place

General Excellence: First Place

Photo of the Year: David Purdy, John Fitzhugh

Bill Minor General News Reporting Award: Anita Lee

Best General News Story Division: First Place — Anita Lee, They wouldn’t leave; Second Place — Anita Lee, Holloway up to the task

Best Spot News Story: First Place — staff, Hope amid ruin

Best Front Page: staff

Best Lifestyles Page or Section: First Place — MREs, Scott Hawkins, editor

Best Special Section or Issue: First Place

Best In-depth/Investigative Coverage: Third Place — Mike Keller, Shrimpers feel the bite

Best Planned Series of Stories: Third Place — Anita Lee, W.C. ‘Cotton’ Fore story

Best Sports News Story: First Place — Jim Mashek, Lawton accepts suspension; Second Place — Don Hammack, Football takes backseat at SSC

Best Sports Column: First Place — Jim Mashek, Cowardly move shows Benson’s true colors; Third Place — Don Hammack, Crisler’s still at it, hammer & tongs

Best Sports Feature: Honorable Mention — Jim Mashek, Ogeron intense for life

Best Game Story: Honorable Mention — Don Hammack, Bay shocks in 21-19 win

Best General Interest Column: Third Place

– Kate Magandy, Rays of hope for a hurting heart

Best Commentary Column: First Place — Stan Tiner, We’re still standing; Second Place — Geoff Pender, Katrina alters politics

Best Spot News Photograph, First Place, Purdy, Steve W. Safe

Best Sports Feature Photography: First Place — David Purdy, Let the fishing begin; Second Place — John Fitzhugh, Countdown to kickoff

Best Sports Action Photograph: First Place — John Fitzhugh, Sliding catch; Honorable Mention — David Purdy, Tag & out

Best Feature Photograph: First Place — Tim Isbell, Flag prayer

Best Pictorial Series in One Issue: First Place — David Purdy, Boulevard of broken dreams; Second Place — John Fitzhugh, Good memories

Best Picture-Story Combination Daily: First Place — John Fitzhugh, Marcia’s journey

Best Personality Portrait: Second Place — Tim Isbell, God & Country

Best Editorials: Second Place — Tony Biffle, Biloxi employees

Best Sports Page or Section: Third Place

Best Design: Third Place

Best Graphic: First Place — Documenting surge, and Third Place — Damage report, both by Rudy Nowak

Best Headline: First Place — Farris Clark, Barbour: Pork! McCoy: Bull!; Third Place — Paul Hampton, Our Tsunami

Best Editorial Cartoon: Third Place — Tim Lockley, When you’re 64

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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