2008 Arkansas Associated Press
Managing Editors Association Contest Winners
Division I
Division II
Division III
Sweepstakes
Mark Twain Award
Winners in the 2008 Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Association journalism contest were announced Saturday night at Mount Magazine National Park, Paris, Arkansas. The contest was judged by AP-member newspapers Iowa.
Division I
Spot News Photo
First Place: Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Home Destroyed
Second Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, White River Flood
Third Place: Rick Harris, Blytheville Courier News, Wave of Fires
Feature Photo
First Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, A Day of Caring
Second Place: Aaron Morris, Camden News, Sobriety Checkpoint
Third Place: David Nichol, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Up it Goes
Spot Sports Photo
First Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, B&B Oil Team
Second Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Lions on the Prowl
Third Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Between the Legs
Feature Sports Photo
First Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, I Hear You
Second Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Harding Academy
Third Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Sneaking Up
Photographer Portfolio
First Place: David Nichol, Times-Herald, Forrest City
Second Place: Samuel Peebles, The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Third Place: Alan Smith, Times-Herald, Forrest City
Spot News Story
First Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, Matt Burks, The Benton Courier, Nature's Fury
Second Place: Donna Loyd Hilton, Rick Harris, Blytheville Courier News, Man Killed at Ace Glass
Third Place: Rick Harris, Blytheville Courier News, Hotel Fire
News Feature
First Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, The Face of Courage
Second Place: Alan Smith, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Reunion
Third Place: Matt Burks, The Benton Courier, Lost and Found
Column-Hard News
First Place: Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Forrest City, The Dream Realized
Second Place: Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Study the Plan
Third Place: Andy Weld, Blytheville Courier News, Timing of Y's Move Leaves Much to be Desired
Column-Lifestyle, Human Interest
First Place: Mark Brasfield, Blytheville Courier News, "`Only in Blytheville…' Can Be A Positive Statement"
Second Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, The Benton Courier, Blooming Memories
Third Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Adventures in Parenthood
Non-Traditional News Item
First Place: Donna Loyd Hilton, Blytheville Courier News, 5 Questions with Tom Turkey
Second Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, The Benton Courier, Seeing Double
Editorial Writing
First Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, In Search of Devotion
Second Place: Jim Edwards, Camden News, Keep Meetings Open
Third Place: Whit Jones, The Benton Courier, Thoughts About the Investigation
Sports Story
First Place: Kelly Blair, Camden News, Attention Getter
Second Place: Mark Brasfield, Blytheville Courier News, Bitter Ending for Lady Chicks
Third Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Silver Edition - Ready to Roll
Sports Feature
First Place: Quinton Bagley, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Searcy Boy's Dream Come True
Second Place: Quinton Bagley, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, A True Whistle Blower
Third Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, 23 and Counting
Sports Column
First Place: Mark Brasfield, Blytheville Courier News, Hixson Great Coach On/Off Court
Second Place: Richard Duke, The Benton Courier, Jones Gets His Rewards
Third Place: Fred Conley, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Press Box Bits
Headline Writing
First Place: Jay Strasner, Gabriel Calzada, Warren Watkins, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Teller Tells Tall Tale
Second Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Miles in My Shoes
Third Place: Whit Jones, Benton Sunday Courier, Benton, It Takes Arvilla
Page Design
First Place: Gabriel Calzada, The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Second Place: Andy Weld, Blytheville Courier News
Third Place: Richard Duke, The Benton Courier, Proud of our Panthers
News Coverage
First Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, Matt Burks, The Benton Courier, Nature's Fury
Second Place: Rick Harris, Mark Brasfield, Christie Zolman, Blytheville Courier News, Hotel Fire
Third Place: Staff, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Jan 30-High Winds
Special Project/Community Service
First Place: Staff, Blytheville Courier News, Snapshots
Graphics
First Place: Andy Weld, Blytheville Courier News, Blytheville Timeline
Health Related Topics
First Place: Dana Thompson, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Miles in His Shoes
Second Place: Richard Duke, The Benton Courier, The Biggest Loser
Third Place: Jillian Duke, The Benton Courier, Racing for a Bigger Cause
Beat Reporting
First Place: Kendall Owens, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Crumbly Keeps Seat
Second Place: Mark Brasfield, Blytheville Courier News, Police Officer's Salaries
Third Place: Matt Burks, The Benton Courier, Bryant Fire Chief Saga
Education Reporting
First Place: Staff , The Benton Courier, Officials Expecting Record EnrollmentSecond Place: Donna Loyd Hilton, Blytheville Courier News, Chalkboards, RIP
Third Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, From One Extreme to Another
Business Reporting
First Place: Jay Strasner, The Daily Citizen, Searcy, End of an Era
Second Place: Tamara Johnson, Times-Herald, Forrest City, Boot Manufacturer Ready to Hire 200 Employees in FC
Third Place: Jenni Betts Deming, Blytheville Courier News, Farming in the Sky
Campaign Coverage
First Place: Tammy Frazier, Camden News, He Can Run
Second Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, Whit Jones, The Benton Courier, Debating the Future
Third Place: Lynda Hollenbeck, The Benton Courier, Annexation Issues
Service to FOI
First Place: Matt Burks, The Benton Courier, Wylie Investigation
Second Place: Whit Jones, The Benton Courier, Sunshine Week
Third Place: Tammy Frazier, Camden News, Water Board Violated FOI
General Excellence
First Place: Staff
Second Place: Staff, The Daily Citizen, Searcy
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Division II
Spot News Photo
First Place: Tony McGuffey, Batesville Daily Guard, Close Call in Grain Bin
Second Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, Dining In
Third Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, Bud Light
Feature Photo
First Place: Jim Lemon, El Dorado News-Times, Too Close for Comfort
Second Place: Larry Singer, El Dorado News-Times, Beating the Heat
Third Place: James McChristian, Batesville Daily Guard, Cool at the Pool
Spot Sports Photo
First Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, Better with Age
Second Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, Cardinals Come up Short
Third Place: Jim Lemon, El Dorado News-Times, Big Hop
Feature Sports Photo
First Place: Joshua Mashon, The Courier, Russellville, Fortunate Senior
Second Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, Golden Lions Get Clawed by Bears
Photographer Portfolio
First Place: Kevin Pieper, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home
Second Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial
Third Place: Liberty Parks, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Spot News Story
First Place: Tony McGuffey, Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, Cop Saves Drowning Woman, Child
Second Place: Tony McGuffey, Batesville Daily Guard, Without a Trace
Third Place: Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Hit by a House
News Feature
First Place: Rick Fahr, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Helping Heal Wounds
Second Place: Lacy Mitchell, Batesville Daily Guard, Aunt Cleo
Third Place: Schuler Benson, El Dorado News-Times, Sticky Situation
Column-Hard News
First Place: Sandra Hope, Pine Bluff Commercial, Challenging the Needless Violence
Second Place: Larry Fugate, Pine Bluff Commercial, A View of Pine Bluff from Afar
Third Place: David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Memories of MLK Assassination Linger
Column-Lifestyle, Human Interest
First Place: Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Staying with the Plan
Second Place: Sonny Garrett, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, World Toilet Day?
Third Place: Joan Hershberger, El Dorado News-Times, Lesson on What Puddles to Avoid
Non-Traditional News Item
First Place: Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, "`Arkansas Ghost' Case Profiled"
Editorial Writing
First Place: Thomas Garrett, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, A Soldier Comes Home
Second Place: Thomas Garrett, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, Human Spirit Overcomes Disaster
Third Place: Waylon Harris, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Magazine: Should It Be Bailed Out?
Sports Story
First Place: Paul Glover, Batesville Daily Guard, Low Memorial
Second Place: Michael Allen, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Perfect Season
Third Place: Neal Denton, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, Bobcats Stun Warriors
Sports Feature
First Place: Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Vaughn Making Racquet on Court
Second Place: Josh Tinker, Pine Bluff Commercial, Small Wonder
Third Place: Sean Ingram, The Courier, Russellville, Fortunate Senior
Sports Column
First Place: David McCollum, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Anatomy of a Last Second Play
Second Place: Sam Krebs, Pine Bluff Commercial, Pave Paradise, Put Up a Parking Lot
Third Place: Tracy Prince, The Courier, Russellville, Lady Cyclones Just Need to Believe
Headline Writing
First Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Local Engine-uity
Second Place: Larry D. Stroud, Batesville Daily Guard, Ups and Downs
Third Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Disappearing Freedom
Page Design
First Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Second Place: Ralph Fitzgerald, Pine Bluff Commercial, January 27, 2008
Third Place: Kevin Pieper, Bruce Roberts, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home, September 26, 2008
News Coverage
First Place: Staff, Batesville Daily Guard, Super Storms Hit Super Tuesday
Second Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Election 2008
Special Project/Community Service
First Place: Amy Jo Brown, Pine Bluff Commercial, A House Not in Order
Second Place: Angelia Roberts, Batesville Daily Guard, Smithville Shootout
Third Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Breast Cancer Awareness
Graphics
First Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, December 25th
Second Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, November 23rd
Health Related Topics
First Place: Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, A Mother's Decision
Second Place: Jamie Davis, El Dorado News-Times, MCSA Feels Strain
Third Place: Rachel Dickerson, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Locals Share Stories-Eating Disorders
Beat Reporting
First Place: Jessica Bauer, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, UCA President
Second Place: Mary Kincy, Janie Ginocchio, The Courier, Russellville, Opening Night Canceled
Third Place: Mary Kincy, The Courier, Russellville, Crime and Punishment
Education Reporting
First Place: Andrea Bruner, Batesville Daily Guard, "Teacher 'Sparks' Higher AP Scores"
Second Place: Janice McIntyre, El Dorado News-Times, Where There's a Will
Third Place: Jessica Bauer, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Busy Back-To-School Preparation
Business Reporting
First Place: Adam Franks, The Courier, Russellville, Community Banks Afloat
Second Place: Adam Franks, The Courier, Russellville, Trucking: The Seat of Disaster
Third Place: John Worthen, El Dorado News-Times, Area Residents Hit Gold with Cornbread Mixture
Campaign Coverage
First Place: Mary Kincy, The Courier, Russellville, Primary Problems
Second Place: Mary Kincy, The Courier, Russellville, Support Your Local Sherriff
Third Place: Rachel Dickerson, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, White Draw Support
Service to FOI
First Place: Larry Stroud, Batesville Daily Guard, CEO Comes Under Fire
Second Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Shining Light on Public Info
General Excellence
First Place: Staff, Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Second Place: Staff, Batesville Daily Guard
Third Place: Staff, The Baxter Bulletin, Mountain Home
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Division III
Spot News Photo
First Place: Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Damage Assessors Fan Out
Second Place: Josh Dooley, The Morning News, Springdale, Domestic Disturbance
Third Place: Tanner Spendley, Texarkana Gazette, Sudden Storm Rips Through City
Feature Photo
First Place: Rick McFarland, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, School Bus Grates Tree
Second Place: Tanner Spendley, Texarkana Gazette, Festival Fun
Third Place: Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Superman Again Wins Mud Run
Spot Sports Photo
First Place: Chris Dean, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Bring Out the Brooms
Second Place: Stephen B. Thornton, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, High School State Tournaments
Third Place: Marc Henning, The Morning News, Springdale, Pulled Pork, Texas Style
Feature Sports Photo
First Place: Jason Ivester, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, State Baseball/Softball Championship
Second Place: Zac Lehr, The Morning News, Springdale, Nuttin But Heartbreak
Third Place: Sarah Berrett, The Morning News, Springdale, Redemption for North Little Rock
Photographer Portfolio
First Place: Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Sarah Berrett, The Morning News, Springdale
Third Place: Marc F. Henning, The Morning News, Springdale
Spot News Story
First Place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Democrat's Gwatney Slain
Second Place: Bob Caudle, The Morning News, Springdale, Blast Un-nerves Residents
Third Place: Lori Dunn, Tabitha Houchens, Texarkana Gazette, Fatal Fire Claims Three
News Feature
First Place: Bettina Lehovec, The Morning News, Springdale, Birth of a Mother
Second Place: Keith Inman, The Jonesboro Sun, In Desperate Act Teen Left at Capitol
Third Place: Aaron Brand, Texarkana Gazette, Keeping it Real
Column-Hard News
First Place: Roy Ockert, Jr., The Jonesboro Sun, Case of John Glasgow
Second Place: Jim Edwards, The Sunday News, El Dorado, Less Than Forthright
Third Place: Brenda Blagg, The Morning News, Springdale, Web Remarks Wrong
Column-LifeStyle, Human Interest
First Place: Roy Ockert, Jr., The Jonesboro Sun, Riding a Roller Coaster
Second Place: Jay Grelen, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, So Little for Man Who Gave So Much
Third Place: Doug Thompson, The Morning News, Springdale, And Justice for Ya'll
Non-Traditional News Item
First Place: Ron Wolfe, Dusty Higgins, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, A Clinker for Christmas
Second Place: Doug Thompson, The Morning News, Springdale, Top 5 Reasons
Third Place: Kirk Montgomery, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Events Since Lu Hardin
Editorial Writing
First Place: Brenda Blagg, The Morning News, Springdale, Clark is Our Choice
Second Place: Shea Wilson, The Sunday News, El Dorado, Foster Parents
Third Place: Russell McDermott, Texarkana Gazette, Campus Concerns
Sports Story
First Place: Nick Walker, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Letter Specifies UA's ISP Deal
Second Place: Doug Crise, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, A Matter of Life and Death
Third Place: Matthew V. Roberson, The Jonesboro Sun, ASU Conducting Eligibility Probe
Sports Feature
First Place: Alex Abrams, The Morning News, Springdale, Delivered From Evil
Second Place: Nick Walker, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Young and Impressionable
Third Place: Todd Traub, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Take Me Out to the Beer Garden
Sports Column
First Place: Tony Burns, The Sunday News, El Dorado, I Love the Olympics
Second Place: Kevin Turbeville, The Jonesboro Sun, Incoming-A State Basketball Coach
Third Place: Phil Skaggs, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, AA Merger Might Not Be Best Answer
Headline Writing
First Place: Henry Apple, The Morning News, Springdale, Nuttin But Heartbreak
Second Place: Jeff Krupsaw, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, See Dick Run, See Hogs Win
Third Place: Henry Apple, The Morning News, Springdale, Pulled Pork, Texas Style
Honorable Mention: Andrea Miller, Texarkana Gazette, Hail of a Night
Page Design
First Place: Shannon Frazeur, Gina Spring, Kai Caddy, The Morning News, Springdale,
Second Place: Terry Austin, Mike Simmons, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Obama Triumphs
Third Place: Jennifer Smith, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Oct. 10, Aug. 2, July 2, 2008
News Coverage
First Place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Tornado Coverage
Second Place: Staff, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Garland County Flooding
Third Place: Jim Williamson, Lynn LaRowe, Susan Lindsy, Texarkana Gazette, Feds Storm Alamo
Special Project/Community Service
First Place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas President
Second Place: Staff, The Jonesboro Sun, Out of the Dark
Third Place: Amy Upshaw, C. S. Murphy, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Lost Paradise. Land buyers left empty-handed
Graphics
First Place: Greg Moody, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, A Natural Wonder
Second Place: Dusty Higgins, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Stock Feverline
Third Place: Kirk Montgomery, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Storm Systems in Arkansas
Health Related Topics
First Place: Carolyne Park, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Anti-Psychotic Drugs for Kids Get State Look
Second Place: Jamie Davis, The Sunday News, El Dorado, Union County High on HIV/AIDS Lists
Third Place: Caleb Fort, The Morning News, Springdale, A Different World
Beat Reporting
First Place: Mark Gregory, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Tourism
Second Place: Charlie Gocio, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, County Government
Third Place: Steven Mross, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Police/Courts
Education Reporting
First Place: Evie Blad, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, A Daunting Dilemma
Second Place: Mike Linn, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, 12 Colleges Sitting Out High School Program
Third Place: Evie Blad, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Kids with Autism
Business Reporting
First Place: Debra Hale-Shelton, Tobey Manthey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, PC Giant Going Into Conway
Second Place: Kim Souza, The Morning News, Springdale, Buyer Beware
Third Place: Curt Hodges, The Jonesboro Sun, Blowing in the Wind
Campaign Coverage
First Place: Frank Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Plate Passed for Huckabee
Second Place: Matthew S.L. Cate, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, Huckabee on Ropes
Third Place: Jim Williamson, Texarkana Gazette, 250 Jobs May Be Added
Service to FOI
First Place: Tom Sissom, The Morning News, Springdale, Council Can't Close City Hall
Second Place: Doug Thompson, The Morning News, Springdale, The Problem With Secrecy
Third Place: Melinda Gassaway, The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, A Full Disclosure
General Excellence
First Place: The Morning News, Springdale
Second Place: Texarkana Gazette
Third Place: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS
Division I
The Daily Citizen
Searcy
Division II
The Batesville Daily Guard
Division III
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Little Rock
Mark Twain
The Jonesboro Sun
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