The Siloam Springs Herald-Leader earned a number awards, including coming in first place in the General Excellence category for large weeklies, during the annual Arkansas Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper Contest.
The awards, for things published during calendar year 2013, were announced Saturday during the APA's annual convention, held this year in Hot Springs.
"The staff of the Herald-Leader is thrilled to have won first place in General Excellence," said managing editor Graham Thomas. "This recognition is a reflection of the time and hard work put in by our employees. We are very proud of their work."
Winners are determined by journalists who are members of another state's press association.
The Herald-Leader won 25 awards.
Additionally, now-former reporter Jeff Della Rosa took a photograph that was honored as Best Photo of the Year when judged alongside all other photos entered by all newspapers, regardless of size. The photo was of a boy riding a sheep during the annual rodeo's Mutton Bustin' event.
In addition to the General Excellence award, the paper was honored with the following awards.
First Place
• News story, Kent Marts for the story headlined "Bystanders jump in, save 2 boys."
• Best Beat Reporter, Jeff Della Rosa, for coverage of city government
• Humorous Column, Kent Marts, for a column headlined "My Thanksgiving night" that told the story of a shopping adventure on the evening of Thanksgiving.
• Single Sports Feature Photograph, Jeff Della Rosa, for a photo taken during the annual rodeo showing a boy riding a sheep during the Mutton Bustin' event. This photo also won photo of the year when judged with all other photos entered by all newspapers.
• Best Special Section or Issue, Staff, for the annual progress edition, which was named "The Siloam Way."
• Coverage of Health and Medicine, Janelle Jessen, Jeff Della Rosa.
• Freelance Writing, Shelia Stogsdill, for a story headlined "Women charged with child neglect."
Second Place
• Sports News Story, Graham Thomas, for a story about Panther Stadium
• Sports Feature Story, Jimmy Carter, for a story headlined "Strong return game" that told about high school coach Rose Cheek's battle with cancer.
• Sports Column, Graham Thomas, for a column headlined "Carlson handles setback."
• Single News Photograph, Kent Marts, for a photo headlined "Bystanders jump in," showing the rescue of two boys who nearly drowned in flooded Sager Creek.
• Best Features Page, Staff
• Coverage of Education, Janelle Jessen, Jeff Della Rosa
• Coverage of Tourism, Staff
Third Place
• Feature Story, Janelle Jessen, for a story headlined "All by herself."
• In-Depth Series Reporting, Graham Thomas, Janelle Jessen, for coverage of the new Panther Stadium.
• Best Beat Reporter, Graham Thomas, sports beat
• General Interest Column, Louis Houston, for a column headline "Birds of a feather."
• Humorous Column, Louis Houston, for a column headlined "Advise from the spider-whisperer."
• Single News Photograph, Jeff Della Rosa, for a photo headlined "Two injured in West Siloam crash."
• Best Front Page, Staff
• Best Sports Page, Graham Thomas, Kent Marts
• Freelance Writing, Sheila Stogsdill, for a story headlined "Delaware County checks in on sex offenders."
Honorable Mention
• Single Sports Feature Photo, Graham Thomas, for a photo headline "Earning his antlers."
General News on 07/16/2014