FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – Shelby County Newspapers Inc. earned 34 editorial and advertising awards in the preliminary results of the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The APA announced results in several categories on May 20, but many categories, such as story of the year, ad of the year and general excellence, will be announced at the APA Summer Convention on June 20.

Seventy newspapers submitted 2,888 entries in the editorial contest, and 44 newspapers submitted 1,032 entries in the advertising contest. The entries were judged by the Tennessee Press Association.

The Shelby County Reporter competes in category C against other large weekly newspapers.

Shelby County Newspapers Inc. received the following awards:

 

Editorial awards

 

Best Special Section: First place for Profile

 

Best Photo Essay: First place for “Winner take all” by Jon Goering

 

Best News Feature Story: First Place for “A City’s Love” by Neal Wagner

 

Best Sports Feature Story: First place for “One-Wheeled Warriors” by Neal Wagner

 

Best In-Depth News Coverage: Second place for 2014 winter storm coverage by staff

 

Best Feature Story: Second place for “One-Wheeled Warriors” by Neal Wagner

 

Best Sports News In-Depth Coverage: Second place for “Sullivan cycling record” by Drew Granthum

 

Best News Photo: Second place for “Purple versus Gold” and third place “Students cheer” by Jon Goering

 

Best Sports Photo: Second place for “Rider on bucking bronco” by Jon Goering

 

Best Use of Graphics and Illustrations: Third place for “In your neighborhood” by Jamie Dawkins and Amanda Porter

 

Best Headline: Third place for “Building character”

 

Best Niche Publication: Second place for Shelby Living

 

Creative Use of Multimedia: Third place for interactive special sections
Best Online Breaking News: Second place for 2014 winter storm coverage by staff and third place for “Missing diver” by Molly Davidson

 

Best Use of Social Media: Second place for “Trending” and third place for “Spotted”

 

Best Presswork: Third place

 

Advertising awards

 

Best Classified Section: Second Place

 

Best Single Ad over 1/2 Page Color: First and third place for Rhett McCreight’s Vulcan Termite ads

 

Best Regularly Scheduled Special Section: First place for Profile, second place for Football magazine and third place for Buck Creek Festival Guide

 

Best One-Time Special Section: First Place for Election Guide, second place for Pelhambration Guide

 

Best Advertising Campaign: Second Place for Rhett McCreight’s Vulcan Termite campaign

 

Best Original/Creative Idea: Second Place for Rhett McCreight’s Vulcan Termite campaign

 

Best Classified Display Ad: Second place for Kim McCulla’s USA Tax Service ad

 

Best Niche Publication: Second place for Hoover’s Magazine

 

Best Presentation for Online Advertising: First place

 

Best Innovative Online Advertising: First place for Meagan Mims’ Coolbox ad, second place for Rhett McCreight’s Re/Max ad, third place for Ashley Duckett’s Heart of Dixie Railroad ad

 

Best Online Revenue Builder: Second place for daily emails