Newspapers in Cleveland, Canton, Newark, Massillon and Ironton were named the best in the state Sunday in the annual Associated Press Society of Ohio newspaper competition.
General Excellence awards for 2006 went to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, The (Canton) Repository, The (Newark) Advocate, The (Massillon) Independent and The Ironton Tribune.
The Cincinnati Enquirer won the First Amendment Award for outstanding accomplishment in pursuing freedom of information in obtaining records related to lead-paint hazards in Hamilton County.
Doug Clifton, editor of The Plain Dealer, earned the APSO Special Recognition Award for exemplary service to print journalism.
Seventy-two daily newspapers submitted 3,238 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2006.
Entries were judged by editors from The Denver Post, Division V; The Olympian, Olympia, Wash., Division IV; The Telegraph, Alton, Ill., and the Jacksonville (Ill.) Journal-Courier, Division III; the Potomac News, Woodbridge, Va., Division II; and The Daily Record, Dunn, N.C., Division I.
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,500 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States. Members of AP include 89 daily newspapers in Ohio.

Winners in the 2006 APSO newspaper contest:

2007 APSO Special Recognition Award
Doug Clifton, editor, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer

2006 First Amendment Award
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DIVISION V, Newspapers with a daily circulation of more than 75,000
General Excellence: 1, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 2, Akron Beacon Journal; 3, The Columbus Dispatch.
Best Headline Writer: 1, Butch Maier, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 2, Monica Luraschi Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal; 3, Andrew Sterling, The Columbus Dispatch; HM, Terry Mikesell, The Columbus Dispatch.
Best Business Writer: 1, Alexander Coolidge, The Cincinnati Enquirer; 2, Paul Wilson, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Geoff Dutton, The Columbus Dispatch; HM, Peter Krouse, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
Best Columnist: 1, Phillip Morris, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 2, Regina Brett, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 3, Ken McCall, Dayton Daily News; HM, Malcolm X. Abram, Akron Beacon Journal.
Best Editorial Cartoonist: 1, Kirk Walters, The (Toledo) Blade; 2, Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News; 3, Jeff Darcy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; HM, Jim Borgman, The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Best Editorial Writer: 1, Mary Mogan Edwards, The Columbus Dispatch; 2, Rick Woodruff, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Tom Walton and Dave Shutt, The (Toledo) Blade; HM, Byron McCauley, The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Best Feature Writer: 1, Kristy Eckert, The Columbus Dispatch; 2, Jeb Phillips, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Meredith Moss, Dayton Daily News.
Best Informational Graphic: 1, James Owens and John Kuehner, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Deep Tunnel Project"; 2, John Hancock, Dayton Daily News, "The Atomic Plant at Piketon"; 3, Tom Mattix, The Columbus Dispatch, "Sweet 16."
Best Illustration: 1, Andrea Levy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "AIDS: A Dark Anniversary"; 2, Charlie Zimkus, The Columbus Dispatch, "Trips to the Past"; 3, Evangelia Philippidis, The Columbus Dispatch, "Tales that Bind"; HM, Jeff Basting, The (Toledo) Blade, "Heisman Trophy Winner."
Best Graphics Artist: 1, Ted Crow, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 2, Andrea Levy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 3, Rick Steinhauser, Akron Beacon Journal.
Best Game Story: 1, Matt Markey, The (Toledo) Blade, "Backyard to Brickyard"; 2, Dave Hackenberg, The (Toledo) Blade, "Tiger Has No Peer _ His Age"; 3, Bill Koch, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Wild Ending Sours Bearcats' Jubilation."
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Jill Riepenhoff and Mike Wagner, The Columbus Dispatch, "Spoilsports"; 2, Randy Ludlow, The Columbus Dispatch, "Busted Bobcats"; 3, Dennis Manoloff, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "LeBron James' Body of Work"; HM, Terry Pluto, Akron Beacon Journal, "Dan Gilbert's World."
Best Sports Columnist: 1, Tom Archdeacon, Dayton Daily News; 2, Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch.
Best Sports Writer: 1, Mike Wagner, The Columbus Dispatch; 2, Doug Lesmerises, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 3, Dustin Dow, The Cincinnati Enquirer; HM, Jodie Valade, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
Best Special Sports Section: 1, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "The Game"; 2, The Columbus Dispatch, "Ohio State-Michigan Preview"; 3, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Baseball by the Book"; HM, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "2006 High School and College Preview."
Best Daily Sports Section: 1, The Columbus Dispatch; 2, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 3, The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Best Spot News Photo: 1, Glenn Hartong, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Eight Lives Left"; 2, Leigh Taylor, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "A Caring Kiss"; 3, Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Cable Car"; HM, Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal, "Fatal Fire."
Best General News Photo: 1, Glenn Hartong, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Lead's Toll"; 2, Craig Ruttle, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Cleanup"; 3, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Veterans Return on Veterans Day."
Best Feature Photo: 1, Joshua Gunter, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Save the Last Dance for Me"; 2, Craig Ruttle, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "An Evening Paddle"; 3, Ed Suba Jr., Akron Beacon Journal, "Chess."
Best Sports Photo: 1, Andy Morrison, The (Toledo) Blade, "Victorious Wrestler"; 2, Jeff Swinger, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Dustin's Determination"; 3, Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch, "Eye on the Ball."
Best Photo Essay: 1, Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, "Children of War"; 2, John Kuntz, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "At What Cost?"; 3, Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, "You Have Cancer."
Best Photographer: 1, Glenn Hartong, The Cincinnati Enquirer; 2, Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Joshua Gunter, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
Best News Writer: 1, Holly R. Zachariah, The Columbus Dispatch; 2, Christopher Evans, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 3, Robin Erb, The (Toledo) Blade; HM, Eileen Kelley, The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Best Community Service: 1, The Columbus Dispatch, "The Untold Story of Ohio's Gambling Issue"; 2, The Columbus Dispatch, "Predatory Lending"; 3, Phil Trexler and Carol Biliczky, Akron Beacon Journal, "Felons in Dorms"; HM, Lynn Hulsey and Tom Beyerlein, Dayton Daily News, "Ohio's Nuclear Legacy."
Best Special Section: 1, Akron Beacon Journal, "Outlook"; 2, Dayton Daily News, "Ohio's Nuclear Legacy"; 3, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Business Extra/Retirement."
Best Breaking News: 1, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "A Fallen Hero"; 2, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Rapper T.I. Caught in Gunfight"; 3, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Rain and Fury"; HM, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Marcus Fiesel."
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Diana Keough, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "At What Cost?"; 2, Jim Tankersley and Joshua Boak, The (Toledo) Blade, "Business as Usual"; 3, Laura Bischoff and Mary McCarty, Dayton Daily News, "Innocence Betrayed"; HM, John Mangels, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Plagued by Fear."
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Special Report: Eminent Domain"; 2, Mike Wagner and Russell Carollo, Dayton Daily News, "Lethal Protection"; 3, John Higgins, Akron Beacon Journal, "Degrees of Justice"; HM, Sandra Livingston and Christopher Evans, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Millions for Land; No New Jobs for City."
Best Full Page Layout: 1, Randy Palmer, Dayton Daily News, "Snakes"; 2, Mike Lewis and Ellie Rhyner, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "What's Your (Cruise) Line?"; 3, Ryan Powell and Ted Crow, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "King James."
Best Page One Layout: 1, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer; 2, The Columbus Dispatch; 3, Dayton Daily News.
Best Web Site: 1, The Cincinnati Enquirer; 2, Dayton Daily News; 3, Akron Beacon Journal; HM, The Columbus Dispatch.

DIVISION IV, Newspapers with daily circulation of 25,000 to 74,999
General Excellence: 1, The (Canton) Repository; 2, The Lima News; 3, The (Willoughby) News-Herald.
Best Headline Writer: 1, Steve Goble, Mansfield News Journal; 2, Gere Goble, Mansfield News Journal; 3, Tom Anderson, Warren Tribune Chronicle.
Best Business Writer: 1, G. Patrick Kelley, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Tim Rausch, The Lima News; 3, Heather Rutz, The Lima News.
Best Columnist: 1, Charita Goshay, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Rick Senften, The (Canton) Repository; 3, Mark Neikirk, The Cincinnati Post; HM, Holly Fackler, Mansfield News Journal.
Best Editorial Cartoonist: 1, Nate Warnecke, The Lima News.
Best Editorial Writer: 1, Thomas Skoch, The (Lorain) Morning Journal; 2, Guy C. Coviello, Warren Tribune Chronicle; 3, Robert White, The Cincinnati Post.
Best Feature Writer: 1, Ed Balint, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Bart Mills, The Lima News; 3, Charita Goshay, The (Canton) Repository; HM, Andrew McGinn, Springfield News-Sun.
Best Informational Graphic: 1, Bob Kast, The (Canton) Repository, "Escape from Alcatraz"; 2, Michael Weiss, The (Canton) Repository, "As the World Turns"; 3, Nate Warnecke, The Lima News, "Ford Starts 'Em Up."
Best Illustration: 1, Eri Hashimoto, The (Canton) Repository, "The Joy of Dining Out"; 2, Bob Kast, The (Canton) Repository, "Defenseless"; 3, Nate Warnecke, The Lima News, "Election Preview."
Best Graphics Artist: 1, Michael Weiss, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Eri Hashimoto, The (Canton) Repository; 3, Bob Kast, The (Canton) Repository.
Best Game Story: 1, Joe Scalzo, The (Youngstown) Vindicator, "Win by a Whisker"; 2, Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal, "Shoe Shootout"; 3, Jim Ingraham, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Fans Leave '06 Finale Empty-Handed"; HM, Andy Call, The (Canton) Repository, "Carmona Loses it Again."
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Steve Doerschuk, The (Canton) Repository, "Charlie Frye Series"; 2, The (Canton) Repository, "The Best Ever?"; 3, Lucas Sullivan and Michael Cooper, Springfield News-Sun, "Witt's Tournament Week"; HM, The Cincinnati Post, "Bold Move."
Best Sports Columnist: 1, Steve Doerschuk, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Larry Graham, The Lima News; 3, Lonnie Wheeler, The Cincinnati Post.
Best Sports Writer: 1, Lucas Sullivan, Springfield News-Sun; 2, Steve Doerschuk, The (Canton) Repository; 3, Victoria Sun, The Cincinnati Post; HM, Joe Scalzo, The (Youngstown) Vindicator.
Best Special Sports Section: 1, Springfield News-Sun, "Inside Friday Night"; 2, The (Canton) Repository, "Stark Marvels"; 3, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Who's the Real Deal?"; HM, The (Canton) Repository, "Six for '06."
Best Daily Sports Section: 1, The (Canton) Repository; 2, The (Willoughby) News-Herald; 3, Mansfield News Journal.
Best Spot News Photo: 1, Michael Blair, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Father and Son Flood Victims"; 2, Michael Blair, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Chase Suspect"; 3, Ty Wright, The Lima News, "Storms Rip Region"; HM, Jenica Miller, The Lima News, "Tanker Explodes."
Best General News Photo: 1, Steve Schenck, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Funeral"; 2, Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, "Flag Burning"; 3, Kelli Cardinal, The Lima News, "Remembered"; HM, Steve Schenck, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Military Funeral"; HM, Ray Stewart, The (Canton) Repository, "Feeling Grief."
Best Feature Photo: 1, Julie Vennitti Botos, The (Canton) Repository, "Patriotic Breeze"; 2, Ken Blaze, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Egg the Counselor"; 3, David Richard, The (Lorain) Morning Journal, "Closing Times."
Best Sports Photo: 1, Teesha McClam, Springfield News-Sun, "Ouch"; 2, Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, "Foot Steps"; 3, Kelli Cardinal, The Lima News, "Tag You're Out"; HM, Bob Rossiter, The (Canton) Repository, "Mudbath."
Best Photo Essay: 1, The Lima News, "Tested by Fire"; 2, Jason Geil, The Cincinnati Post, "Santa Submerged"; 3, Michael Blair, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Lake County Flooding"; HM, Michael Blair, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Hiram House."
Best Photographer: 1, Michael Blair, The (Willoughby) News-Herald; 2, Scott Heckel, The (Canton) Repository; 3, Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun.
Best News Writer: 1, Tim Botos, The (Canton) Repository; 2, Melissa Griffy Seeton, The (Canton) Repository; 3, Tracey Read, The (Willoughby) News-Herald; HM, Kelli Young, The (Canton) Repository.
Best Community Service: 1, The Lima News, "Immigration Series"; 2, The (Canton) Repository, "Issue 5 Smoking Ban Series"; 3, The (Lorain) Morning Journal, "Killer Crossing"; HM, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Red Ribbon Partnership."
Best Special Section: 1, The (Canton) Repository, "Hall of Fame 2006 Special"; 2, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Veterans Day"; 3, The Lima News, "Election Preview"; HM, Ken Blaze and Larece Galer, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Pearl Harbor Remembered."
Best Breaking News: 1, The Lima News, "Storms Rip Region"; 2, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "Soaked"; 3, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "38 Years for Cline."
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Making Ends Meet"; 2, Kim Kincaid, The Lima News, "A Mother's Courage Tested by Fire"; 3, Ron Selak Jr., Warren Tribune Chronicle, "The Crisis of Suicide."
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Tim Botos, The (Canton) Repository, "Trillium"; 2, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "An Arresting Past"; 3, Jim Sabin, The Lima News, "Casino Series"; HM, Todd Porter, The (Canton) Repository.
Best Full Page Layout: 1, The (Lorain) Morning Journal, "Food"; 2, Tom Stafford, Springfield News-Sun, "Cicadas"; 3, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "He Changed the Times"; HM, The (Willoughby) News-Herald, "A Giant Task."
Best Page One Layout: 1, The (Lorain) Morning Journal; 2, The Lima News; 3, The (Canton) Repository.
Best Web Site: 1, Mansfield News Journal; 2, Warren Tribune Chronicle; 3, The (Canton) Repository.

DIVISION III, Newspapers with daily circulation of 13,000 to 24,999
General Excellence: 1, The (Newark) Advocate; 2, Zanesville Times Recorder; 3, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Best Headline Writer: 1, Kurt Leonard, The (Findlay) Courier; 2, Brad Bournival, The Medina Gazette; 3, Judy A. Totts, The Medina Gazette; HM, Don Lee, Sandusky Register.
Best Business Writer: 1, Marc Kovac, The (Wooster) Daily Record; 2, Molly Linn, Sandusky Register; 3, Bette Pearce, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram; HM, June Chandler-White, The (Wooster) Daily Record.
Best Columnist: 1, Rick McCrabb, Middletown Journal; 2, Brandi Barhite, Sandusky Register; 3, Jack Palmer, The (Defiance) Crescent-News; HM, Christina Jolliffe, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Best Editorial Cartoonist: 1, Don Lee, Sandusky Register; 2, Bob Lynch, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Best Editorial Writer: 1, Len LaCara, Zanesville Times Recorder; 2, Dave Perozek, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram; 3, Cindy Moorhead, The (Findlay) Courier; HM, Lisa Warren, The (Hamilton) JournalNews.
Best Feature Writer: 1, Brandi Barhite, Sandusky Register; 2, Evan Goodenow, Sandusky Register; 3, Joy Brown, The (Findlay) Courier.
Best Informational Graphic: 1, Ryan Dawson and Joanne Porras, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "Dangerous Intersections"; 2, Marc Kovac and Mike Murphy, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Restaurant Quiz"; 3, Mark Judy, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times Reporter, "Dam Failure"; HM, Michael Lehmkuhle, The (Newark) Advocate, "Still Dangerous."
Best Illustration: 1, Ryan Dawson, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "Year in Review"; 2, Chad Kimes, The Medina Gazette, "Shattered"; 3, Michael Lehmkuhle, The (Newark) Advocate, "Having a Ball"; HM, Kristin S. Lorson, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Crock."
Best Graphics Artist: 1, Stephanie Collier, Middletown Journal; 2, Jessica Donham, Middletown Journal; 3, Joe Landsberger, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram; HM, Mike Murphy, The (Wooster) Daily Record.
Best Game Story: 1, Dave Purpura, The (Newark) Advocate, "Pellet Powers NC"; 2, Bryan Schaaf, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Champions!"; 3, Joe Arnold, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, "Well Worth the Wait"; HM, Skip Weaver, Middletown Journal, "Panther Pressure Wallops Warriors."
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Jamie Baker and Mark Heiman, The (Findlay) Courier, "New OHSAA Divisions"; 2, Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier, "FHS and Substance Abuse"; 3, Skip Weaver and John Bombatch, Middletown Journal, "An Era Comes to a Close"; HM, Patrick Meyers, Steubenville Herald-Star, "Zamana: Central's Angel in the Outfield."
Best Sports Columnist: 1, Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier; 2, Joe Arnold, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette; 3, Rick Noland, The Medina Gazette; HM, Bruce Hefflinger, The (Defiance) Crescent-News; HM, Aaron Dorksen, The (Wooster) Daily Record.
Best Sports Writer: 1, Aaron Dorksen, The (Wooster) Daily Record; 2, Joe Arnold, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette; 3, Mark Heiman, The (Findlay) Courier; HM, Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier.
Best Special Sports Section: 1, Middletown Journal, "Career Dreams"; 2, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "High School Football Preview: Throwback Edition"; 3, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "High School Football Preview"; HM, The (Newark) Advocate, "The Game."
Best Daily Sports Section: 1, Middletown Journal; 2, The (Findlay) Courier; 3, The (Newark) Advocate; HM, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Best Spot News Photo: 1, Bill West, The (Ashtabula) Star-Beacon, "Comfort Victim"; 2, Frank Robertson, Chillicothe Gazette, "House Fire"; 3, Pat Burk, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times Reporter, "Dog Rescued."
Best General News Photo: 1, Pat Auckerman, Middletown Journal, "First Night Out"; 2, Bruce Bishop, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "Closing Arguments"; 3, Nick Daggy, The (Hamilton) JournalNews, "Courtroom Compassion"; HM, Karen Sierer, The (Defiance) Crescent-News, "Victorian Garden."
Best Feature Photo: 1, Bill West, The (Ashtabula) Star-Beacon, "Here Daisy"; 2, Eric George, The (Newark) Advocate, "Big Wheel Hustle"; 3, Pat Burk, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times Reporter, "Cell Phone Kid"; HM, Jim Noelker, Middletown Journal, "Storm."
Best Sports Photo: 1, Daniel Kraus, The (Ashtabula) Star-Beacon, "What Gravity?"; 2, Frank Robertson, Chillicothe Gazette, "State Volleyball"; 3, Eric George, The (Newark) Advocate, "State Track"; HM, Jim Noelker, Middletown Journal, "T-Ball"; HM, Bridget Commiso, The Medina Gazette, "Pinned."
Best Photo Essay: 1, Cameron Knight, The (Hamilton) JournalNews, "Lianna's Voice"; 2, Morgan Wonorski, The (Newark) Advocate, "Adam & Atasia: 75 & Sunny"; 3, Abigail Bobrow, Sandusky Register, "Ordinary Vermilion Girl: Extrordinary New Life"; HM, Gary Stelzer, Middletown Journal, "Meet Megan."
Best Photographer: 1, Abigail Bobrow, Sandusky Register; 2, Jason Werling, Sandusky Register; 3, Frank Robertson, Chillicothe Gazette; HM, Eric George, The (Newark) Advocate.
Best News Writer: 1, Christine L. Pratt, The (Wooster) Daily Record; 2, Adam Wright, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram; 3, Kathy Thompson, Zanesville Times Recorder; HM, Christopher Magan, Middletown Journal.
Best Community Service: 1, Jona Ison, Chillicothe Gazette, "One Grade at a Time"; 2, The (Hamilton) JournalNews, "Get Healthy Hamilton"; 3, Cindy Leise, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "Elyria 2015"; HM, Christine L. Pratt, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Seat Belt Series."
Best Special Section: 1, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Working for a Living"; 2, Chillicothe Gazette, "Helping Hands"; 3, Mary Louise Ruehrer, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "High School Homecoming 2006"; HM, The (Martins Ferry) Times Leader, "Progress Edition."
Best Breaking News: 1, Sandusky Register, "The Firelands Floods"; 2, Chillicothe Gazette, "John Parsons Escapes"; 3, Middletown Journal, "AK Replacement Worker Dies"; HM, Middletown Journal, "AK Steel Lockout."
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, The (Hamilton) JournalNews, "Hispanic Series"; 2, Judy A. Totts, The Medina Gazette, "A Prayer for Pearlington"; 3, Marc Kovac, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Raw Milk"; HM, Erik Cassano, The Medina Gazette, "Montville Series"; 5, Brandi Barhite, Sandusky Register, "Hancock Street: Strides and Struggles."
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Marc Kovac, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Restaurant Inspections"; 2, Cindy Leise and Brad Dicken, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, "Judge Lilly Disputes"; 3, Kathy Thompson, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Kenily-Davis Cases"; HM, Sarah Skylark Bruce, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "Rittman Firefighters Fund."
Best Full Page Layout: 1, Art Price, Sandusky Register, "From Big Dreams to Big Reality in a New York Minute"; 2, Chad Kimes, The Medina Gazette, "Poker is Wild!"; 3, Stephanie Collier, Middletown Journal, "Chicks Rock Fest"; HM, Jeanine Kendle, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "United Titanium Inc.: Nuts and Bolts."
Best Page One Layout: 1, Ryan Dawson, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram; 2, The (Findlay) Courier; 3, The (Newark) Advocate; HM, The (Wooster) Daily Record.
Best Web Site: 1, The (Hamilton) JournalNews; 2, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times Reporter; 3, The (Findlay) Courier.

DIVISION II, Newspapers with daily circulation of 8,000 to 12,999
General Excellence: 1, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, Ashland Times-Gazette; 3, The Marietta Times; HM, The (East Liverpool) Review.
Best Headline Writer: 1, Travis Hoewischer, The Delaware Gazette; 2, Michael Buettner, Ashland Times-Gazette; 3, Steve Robb, The Athens Messenger.
Best Business Writer: 1, Callie Lyons, The Athens Messenger; 2, Harold Brown, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune; 3, John Jarvis, The Marion Star.
Best Columnist: 1, Georgette Huff, The (Alliance) Review; 2, Betty Lawrence, The (Celina) Daily Standard; 3, John G. Whitacre, The (Alliance) Review; HM, Chris Schillig, The (Alliance) Review.
Best Editorial Cartoonist: 1, Jerry King, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, David Bilbrey, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune.
Best Editorial Writer: 1, Eric Lawrence, The (Fremont) News-Messenger; 2, Rob Weaver, The (Tiffin) Advertiser-Tribune; 3, Monica Nieporte, The Athens Messenger.
Best Feature Writer: 1, Karen Nadler Cota, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune; 2, Joel E. Mast, Bellefontaine Examiner; 3, Matt Gallagher, The Athens Messenger.
Best Informational Graphic: 1, Nathan Reich, The Marietta Times, "Summer Construction"; 2, Mark Giesige, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Ashland County Home Sales"; 3, David Kennard, Troy Daily News, "Aviation Heritage."
Best Illustration: 1, Mark Giesige, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Pigskin Preview"; 2, Anthony Weber, Troy Daily News, "The Push for the Playoffs"; 3, Mark Giesige, Ashland Times-Gazette, "A Day in the Life ..."
Best Graphics Artist: 1, Robert McCune, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, Mark Giesige, Ashland Times-Gazette; 3, Nathan Reich, The Marietta Times.
Best Game Story: 1, Donn Walden, The Delaware Gazette, "Utter Disbelief"; 2, Jeff Taepke, Portsmouth Daily Times, "Buckeyes Remain Unbeaten"; 3, David Fong, Troy Daily News, "Good to the Last Minute."
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Ken Barhorst, The Sidney Daily News, "Sidney Wrestler's Determination Inspires Teammates, Opponents"; 2, Mike Brown, The (Alliance) Review, "He's Mr. Buckeye"; 3, The Marietta Times, "PFX Tour Comes to Marietta"; HM, Bartt Davis and Kevin Gordon, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "College Recruiting."
Best Sports Columnist: 1, Doug Haidet, Ashland Times-Gazette; 2, Jason Arkley, The Athens Messenger; 3, Dusty Sloan, Ashland Times-Gazette; HM, Mark Hazelwood, Ashland Times-Gazette.
Best Sports Writer: 1, Rocco Longo, The (East Liverpool) Review; 2, David Fong, Troy Daily News; 3, Doug Haidet, Ashland Times-Gazette.
Best Special Sports Section: 1, Ashland Times-Gazette, "2006 Pigskin Preview"; 2, The (Massillon) Independent, "The Game"; 3, The (East Liverpool) Review, "High School Football 2006."
Best Daily Sports Section: 1, The (Alliance) Review; 2, The (Massillon) Independent; 3, The Marietta Times; HM, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune.
Best Spot News Photo: 1, Kevin Graff, The (Alliance) Review, "Fatal Fire"; 2, Kevin Whitlock, The (Massillon) Independent, "Family Mourns Fire Victims"; 3, Kevin Graff, The (Alliance) Review, "A Bad Day."
Best General News Photo: 1, Erin Pence, The Sidney Daily News, "Remembering Our Heroes"; 2, Kevin Whitlock, The (Massillon) Independent, "Stairway Stroll"; 3, Aaron Rudolph, Lisbon Morning Journal, "The Clincher"; HM, Kevin Whitlock, The (Massillon) Independent, "Solemn Salute to Veterans."
Best Feature Photo: 1, Lindsay Niegelberg, Portsmouth Daily Times, "County Fair Cowboys"; 2, Kevin Whitlock, The (Massillon) Independent, "Sunset Jog"; 3, Patricia Schaeffer, Lisbon Morning Journal, "Junior Johnny Appleseed"; HM, Erin Pence, The Sidney Daily News, "Sunset Dive"; 5, Amy Allan, The Delaware Gazette, "Bird Calls."
Best Sports Photo: 1, James Miller, The Marion Star, "Stumble"; 2, Mitch Casey, The Marietta Times, "Goalie Collision"; 3, Aaron Rudolph, Lisbon Morning Journal, "Duck and Cover."
Best Photo Essay: 1, Ashland Times-Gazette, "A Day in the Life of Ashland County"; 2, Leslie Elson, The Sidney Daily News, "A Night with C Crew"; 3, James Miller, The Marion Star, "Your Son Has Cancer."
Best Photographer: 1, Kevin Whitlock, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, Aaron Rudolph, Lisbon Morning Journal; 3, Erin Pence, The Sidney Daily News.
Best News Writer: 1, John Jarvis, The Marion Star; 2, Kurt Moore, The Marion Star; 3, Matthew Rink, The (Massillon) Independent; HM, Brad Bauer, The Marietta Times.
Best Community Service: 1, The (Massillon) Independent, "Commit to Be Fit"; 2, Jan Larson and Dave Miller, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Health Commissioner"; 3, The Bryan Times, "School Finance"; HM, Erin Pustay, The (Massillon) Independent, "Call for Action."
Best Special Section: 1, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Day in the Life"; 2, Troy Daily News, "We Were Attacked"; 3, The (Alliance) Review, "Carnation Festival Tab."
Best Breaking News: 1, Cheryl S. Splain and Virgil Shipley, Mount Vernon News, "PPG Fire"; 2, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Sky Falls"; 3, Norwalk Reflector, "Firelands Flooded"; HM, Zach Tuggle, Mount Vernon News, "Flood of 2006."
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Justin McIntosh, The Marietta Times, "Marietta Responds"; 2, Bill Ryan, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Field Trip, '06"; 3, Matt Hutton, Norwalk Reflector, "Immigration"; HM, The (Massillon) Independent, "Casino."
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, R.J. Villella, The (Massillon) Independent, "Country Club for Criminally Insane"; 2, Nick Worner and Melissa Raines, Mount Vernon News, "Sex Offenders Living Too Close to Schools"; 3, Kristin Heinichen, The Athens Messenger, "Mourning and Mining"; HM, Monica Nieporte and Ryan Cook, The Athens Messenger, "Hot Pursuit."
Best Full Page Layout: 1, Dave Breeding, The Marion Star, "A Family Reunited"; 2, Robert McCune, The (Massillon) Independent, "Tigertown's Twin"; 3, Robert McCune, The (Massillon) Independent, "Reflecting on 9/11."
Best Page One Layout: 1, Robert McCune, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, The (Alliance) Review; 3, The Marietta Times.
Best Web Site: 1, The (Massillon) Independent; 2, Mount Vernon News; 3, The (Tiffin) Advertiser-Tribune.

DIVISION I, Newspapers with daily circulation up to 7,999
General Excellence: 1, The Ironton Tribune; 2, Wapakoneta Daily News; 3, Coshocton Tribune; HM, Piqua Daily Call.
Best Headline Writer: 1, Tom Wehrhahn, The (St. Marys) Evening Leader; 2, Kristin Reichardt, Wapakoneta Daily News; 3, Tom Millhouse, Piqua Daily Call; HM, Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune.
Best Business Writer: 1, Kristina Smith, Port Clinton News-Herald; 2, Will E. Sanders, Piqua Daily Call; 3, Karen Campbell, Wapakoneta Daily News.
Best Columnist: 1, Gary Brock, Washington Court House Record Herald; 2, Will E. Sanders, Piqua Daily Call; 3, Mike Caldwell, The Ironton Tribune; HM, Chad Williamson, Marysville Journal-Tribune.
Best Editorial Cartoonist: No entries.
Best Editorial Writer: 1, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune; 2, Anthony Conchel, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum; 3, Mike Burkholder, Wapakoneta Daily News.
Best Feature Writer: 1, Kirsten Stanley, The Ironton Tribune; 2, Mariah Mercer, The (Fostoria) Review Times; 3, Kristin Reichardt, Wapakoneta Daily News.
Best Informational Graphic: 1, Piqua Daily Call, "City Reorganization"; 2, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune, "Staying Cool"; 3, Josh Pierson, The (London) Madison Press, "Benefits Denied"; HM, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune, "Ohio: At a Glance."
Best Illustration: 1, B.J. Lisko, The Salem News, "Salem District Final"; 2, Josh Pierson, The (London) Madison Press, "Blessed are the Animals"; 3, Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune, "Splitting the Pie"; HM, Jason Smith, The (Fostoria) Review Times, "Identity Theft."
Best Graphics Artist: 1, Josh Pierson, The (London) Madison Press; 2, Jason Smith, The (Fostoria) Review Times; 3, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune; HM, Sydney Garringer, The Xenia Daily Gazette.
Best Game Story: 1, Jeff Gates, The (London) Madison Press, "State Champions"; 2, Brad Morris, The (Circleville) Herald, "One More Game"; 3, Gary Ogle, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, "Eagles Stun 4th-Ranked Blue Devils."
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, B.J. Lisko, The Salem News, "The Sports Editor VS."; 2, Tim Miller, Marysville Journal-Tribune, "Mission Accomplished"; 3, Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune, "Wonder-ful Legacy."
Best Sports Columnist: 1, Gary Ogle, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum; 2, Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune; 3, Amanda Rodeheffer, Greenville Daily Advocate.
Best Sports Writer: 1, Gary Ogle, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum; 2, B.J. Lisko, The Salem News; 3, Matthew Horn, Port Clinton News-Herald.
Best Special Sports Section: 1, Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune, "Pigskin Preview"; 2, The Salem News, "Beyond the Arc"; 3, Sarah Clark, Wilmington News Journal, "Huddle Up"; HM, Piqua Daily Call, "A Winning Strategy."
Best Daily Sports Section: 1, The Salem News; 2, Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune; 3, Coshocton Tribune.
Best Spot News Photo: 1, Charles Caperton, Fairborn Daily Herald, "Fallen Fireman"; 2, Charles Caperton, Fairborn Daily Herald, "Police Gun Point"; 3, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Comfort"; HM, Scott D. Scherf, The (Fostoria) Review Times, "Fuel Tanker Blaze."
Best General News Photo: 1, Charles Caperton, The Xenia Daily Gazette, "Faces of Peace"; 2, Polly Ann Bauman, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Baby Easter"; 3, Charles Caperton, Fairborn Daily Herald, "Tears for Son"; HM, Charles Caperton, Fairborn Daily Herald, "Fire Watch."
Best Feature Photo: 1, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Hang In There"; 2, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Red Hat Santa"; 3, Matthew Leasure, Coshocton Tribune, "Living with Williams Syndrome"; HM, Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune, "Justice Strikes."
Best Sports Photo: 1, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Ohio State Celebrates"; 2, Tim Miller, Marysville Journal-Tribune, "Just Missed It"; 3, Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune, "Stick It"; HM, Charles Caperton, Fairborn Daily Herald, "Bag Dance."
Best Photo Essay: 1, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Renaissance Fair"; 2, Scott Stolsenberg, Washington Court House Record Herald, "Liberty Belle"; 3, Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune, "Colors of the Country"; HM, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call, "Baseball Trip."
Best Photographer: 1, James E. Mahan, Piqua Daily Call; 2, Matthew Leasure, Coshocton Tribune; 3, Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune; HM, Sarah Clark, Wilmington News Journal.
Best News Writer: 1, Becca Manning, Piqua Daily Call; 2, Kathie Dickerson, Coshocton Tribune; 3, Josie McCormick, Coshocton Tribune; HM, Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune.
Best Community Service: 1, The Salem News, "Salem's Bicentennial Coverage"; 2, Margaret Jones and Ryan Carter, Washington Court House Record Herald, "Domestic Violence"; 3, William Laney and Mike Burkholder, Wapakoneta Daily News, "Job Ready Sites"; HM, Greenville Daily Advocate, "Sign Ordinances."
Best Special Section: 1, The (Circleville) Herald, "Circleville Pumpkin Show 100th Anniversary"; 2, Washington Court House Record Herald, "Spectrum; 2006"; 3, Washington Court House Record Herald, "Fall Travel Guide - TRIP"; HM, Tom Wehrhahn, The (St. Marys) Evening Leader, "We Salute … Alpha Company."
Best Breaking News: 1, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, "Plane Crash Rocks City"; 2, Ryan Horns, Marysville Journal-Tribune, "Thanksgiving Murder"; 3, Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, "False Alarm."
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, The Ironton Tribune, "Back to School"; 2, Kristina Smith, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Downtown Development"; 3, Ryan Carter, Washington Court House Record Herald, "The Honda Affect"; HM, , The Ironton Tribune, "State Route Souvenirs."
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Mike Burkholder, Wapakoneta Daily News, "Election Role Questioned"; 2, Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, "Scrapyard Bandits"; 3, Karen Campbell, Wapakoneta Daily News, "School Teacher Investigated"; HM, Will E. Sanders, Piqua Daily Call, "Document Fraud Investigated."
Best Full Page Layout: 1, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune, "Day Trippin' "; 2, Angie Adair and Polly Ann Bauman, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Lighthouse Offers Guided Tours"; 3, Mike Caldwell, The Ironton Tribune, "Windows to the Past"; HM, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Terrific Time to Be Had Playing Tennis."
Best Page One Layout: 1, Angie Adair, Port Clinton News-Herald; 2, Don Willis, The Ironton Tribune; 3, Piqua Daily Call.
Best Web Site: 1, Coshocton Tribune; 2, Wilmington News Journal; 3, Wapakoneta Daily News.