2024 General Excellence winners: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mountain Home Observer, Spring River Chronicle, The Madison County Record and Carroll County News.
2024 Special Award Winners: Jonathan Feldman of The Leader in Jacksonville — Freeman-Greenberg
Karen Sherrell of the Pacesetting Times in Horseshoe Bend — I.F. Stone Award for outstanding investigative series, Tamara Johnson of the Times-Herald in Forrest City — Meredith Oakley Award for excellent use of FOIA in reporting, John Allen French of the Pocahontas Star Herald — Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Award for Excellence in Column Writing and Alyson Hoge of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette — Photo of the Year. Not pictured is Dan Marsh of The Madison County Record in Huntsville — The Charles Gordon Newman Prize for Distinguished News Story.
Continued from page 1
Newspapers less than 1200 top award winners
Smaller newspaper top award winners
Medium newspaper top award winners
Continued from page 2
Photo of the Year, by Staci Vandagriff of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Larger newspaper top award winners
Continued from page 3
Sonny Albarado of the Arkansas Advocate moderated the Saturday morning panel discussion on how to best cover your communities. Panelists were Tammy Curtis of the Spring River Chronicle, Rusty Fraser of the Stone County Leader, Tamara Johnson of the Times-Herald in Forrest City and Scott Loftis of the Carroll County News in Berryville.
Guy Tasaka, CEO of Tasaka Digital, presented on Saturday morning on how to plan for the future.
Tamara Johnson, Publisher of the Times Herald in Forrest City, and FOIA Attorney John Tull.
Continued from page 4
Donald “Tre” Gant III, grandson of APA President Andrew Bagley, assists APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley in drawing for the Visa gift card door prizes for visiting Friday’s Trade Show.
APA President Eliza Gaines passes the gavel to incoming President Andrew Bagley.
The Friday Luncheon was emceed by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Editor Rex Nelson.
Continued from page 5
A-State Chancellor participated in a Q&A with Rob Roedel of Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Steve Eddington of Arkansas Farm Bureau at the Friday Luncheon.
“Newspaper Guru” Kevin Slimp presented two well-attended sessions on Friday.
APA Past Presidents participate in the traditional Gavel Passing.
Continued from page 6
Newly-inducted APA President Andrew Bagley presents the Past Presidents Award to Eliza Gaines.
Larry Killian of the South Arkansas Sun in Hampton gives the invocation at the Friday evening Honors Banquet.
Tamara Johnson of the Times-Herald in Forrest City was presented with the APA Freedom of Information Award at the Friday Honors Banquet.
The Delta String Quartet provided music during the Honorees’ Reception.
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Banner-News
Camden News
El Dorado News-Times
The Sentinel Record
Texarkana Gazette
Pine Bluff Commercial
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FRONT PAGE SPONSORS
Arkansas Farm Bureau
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Partners Bank
Southern Bancorp
Arkansas Community Foundation
FOURTH ESTATE SPONSORS
Arkansas State University
Paxton Media Group
CherryRoad Media
FIRST AMENDMENT SPONSORS
The Daily Record, Little Rock
Delta Dental of Arkansas
Black Hills Energy
Colliers International
News Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Andrew Bagley
Robinson Vows to Sue; Recall Brinkley
Mayor
Second Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Thomas Jacques
Brinkley, Robinson Part Ways After Split
Vote
Third Place
The Helena World
Andrew Bagley
County Underpaid Other Entities by $2.5
Million
Honorable Mention
Carroll County News, Berryville
Rick Harvey
Confederate monument causes stir
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Nashville News-Leader
Don Hall
Flooding causes extensive damage to library, police station, courtroom
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Shooting involved toy gun
Third Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Some wounds ‘are pretty deep’
Honorable Mention
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Ex-mayor gets public apology
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Dan Marsh
Citizen says she alerted dispatch to pedestrian who was struck by car
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Dan Marsh
Family of woman killed in crash accepts her certificate from county drug court
Third Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Lance Brownfield
Residents lose their homes, but not their memories, to tornado
Honorable Mention
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Frank Wallis
Calkins Trial
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Tracy M. Neal, Tom Sissom
A deadly drug trend
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
Byron Tate
Client grievances amass against Taggart
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Ron Wood
Ministry head faces charge
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Arkansas Advocate
Tess Vrbin, Antoinette Grajeda
A year without abortion
Second Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
BC Election Commissioners found to have violated election law
Third Place
Arkansas Advocate
Tess Vrbin
Saline County Judge fires library director
Honorable Mention
Hallmark Times
Lauren Siebert
Volunteers go above and beyond to facilitate adoption
The Charles Gordon Newman Prize for News Story presented to Dan Marsh, The Madison County Record for distinguished news story in honor of Charles Gordon Newman.
Judges comments: Wow! This has all the elements of a solid daily news piece: both sides, digging, open records and an authoritative voice explaining it to you.
Feature Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Hard work, long hours
Second Place
Clay County Courier, Corning
Pam Lowe
First time marathoner discovers key to achievement in love letter to NYC
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Animal control officer
Honorable Mention
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
Local Halloween tradition to continue every other year
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
New candy business offers unique treats
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Tours of Crystal Cave and Motor Court enjoyed after 20 years
Third Place
Nashville News-Leader
Don Hall
Local pilot receives prestigious FAA award
Honorable Mention
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Welcome to Cornerstone Christmas Tree Farm
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Kolton Rutherford
Fallen hero identified, returned home
Second Place
Jonesboro Sun
Nena Zimmer
Finding hope through helping others
Third Place
Hot Springs Village Voice
Robin Rayborn Burns
From A to Ze: Villager promotes Down Syndrome awareness
Honorable Mention
Jonesboro Sun
Nena Zimmer
Historic bridges of NEA
The Saline Courier, Benton
Elisha Morrison
Bryant Veteran’s life saved by first black naval aviator and wingman
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Monica Hooper
King of Dickson street
Second Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
Mailman saved boys
Third Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
I.C. Murrell
Scott has passion for students after NFL leads to education
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
Political push for paper ballots in Baxter County tied to failed Arkansas candidate
Second Place
Arkansas Advocate Staff
Public libraries vs quorum courts
Third Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
BCRC Chairman’s past loosely tied to Neo-Confederate hate group
Investigative Series Reporting
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell
Lawsuits follow after Mayor’s appointment of special administrator
Second Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell
City Council appeals levy increase
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Highland School District Attempt Two at increasing millages
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Dan Marsh
Cooks Venture
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
Fair Money
Third Place
The Saline Courier, Benton
Destin Davis
A series covering the tragic death of Daniel Barajas and ongoing lawsuit
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
Smeared teacher investigation
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Michael R. Wickline, Neal Earley, Josh Snyder and Tony Holt
Mystery surrounds governor’s new lectern
Third Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
Eplunus Colvin, Byron Tate
Who Killed Maurice Taggart Murder Mystery Series
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
NABORS Landfill
Second Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
MH School FOIA violation
Third Place
Arkansas Advocate
Hunter Field
Medical Board chairman
The I.F. Stone Award for Investigative Reporting is presented to Karen Sherrell for uncovering the truth to the readers of the Pacesetting Times and its community. The award is named for the late I.F. Stone, an American investigative journalist known for his tenacity.
Judges Comments: What a great news town. The nod goes to special admins because it did a better job of explaining the issues and what’s at stake.
Freedom of Information Reporting
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Times-Herald, Forrest City
Tamara Johnson
PWSD Violates FOIA
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary, Steve Watts
‘Hostile workplace’ alleged
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Public Defender Woes
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
Buffalo River land tangled in crosscurrents
Second Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton, Alison Fulton
Baxter County Election Commission violates FOIA after receiving FOIA request
Third Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
Fair Money
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron Restaurant fight
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Grant Lancaster, Ainsley Platt
LRPD pushes for ex-officer’s decertification
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Will Langhorne, Michael R. Wickline
Elimination list included state historic places
Beat Reporter
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
The Helena World Andrew Bagley
Second Place
Carroll County News, Berryville Scott Loftis
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville Rick Harvey
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy Greg Geary
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy Tammy Curtis
Third Place
The Batesville Guard
Sara Greene
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Saline Courier, Benton Destin Davis, Randal Seyler
Fulton County schools claim two state basketball titles
Third Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
Athletes, teachers from more than a century of Nashville High history
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Jack Travis
Cyclists experience county
Second Place
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville
Manila boys win 3A state title with overtime victory
Third Place
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville
Time right for George to lead Hurricane
Honorable Mention
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Bryan Rice
Carter deemed eligible to play for CMS
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Tom Murphy
Friends celebrate Mallett
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
I.C. Murrell
UAPB makes it formal with Hampton
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Graham Thomas
Bearcats hold on for 5th championship
Sports Feature Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
The Helena World
Terri Hall
Marvell Academy Coach Reaches 500 Wins
Second Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell
Cash Fowler wins big in Nationals
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Rick Harvey
Final destination
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
From the dugout to the daily grind
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Robinson realizes dream
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Reel Legends: Salem team wins BassCat Invitational
Honorable Mention
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Award Winning Leadership, Bateman named Coach of the Year
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Malvern Daily Record
Gerren Smith
A Kehner Tradition, dream fulfilled
Second Place
Malvern Daily Record
Gerren Smith
Recognizing The 10 Year Anniversary of Championship Greatness
Third Place
Malvern Daily Record
Gerren Smith
Beyond the Diamond: A uplifting spiritual championship
Honorable Mention
Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Mark Buffalo
Sisterly love on the court
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Sam Lane
UCAs Powell
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
Tanner Spearman
Ex-music teacher finds new route
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Bob Holt
Sua No. 54
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Henry Apple
Wiseman making his music
Business Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Local growers’ flocks euthanized
Second Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Farm Family
Third Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell, Carrie Johnson
Lick Creek Cattle wins Fulton County
Farm Family
Honorable Mention
Paragould Daily Press
Michael Wilkey
Celebrating Farm Families of the Year
The Helena World
Andrew Bagley
Three Women Recognized for Roles in Agriculture
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Searcy’s first female barber says goodbye
Second Place
Nashville News-Leader
Louie Graves, John R. Schirmer
Husqvarna closing to have major impact
Third Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
Economic development director ready to help
Honorable Mention
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
A menu for success...Meacham’s Restaurant
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
Board upholds liquor permits
Second Place
Jonesboro Sun
Nena Zimmer
Local vet integrates medicine to best serve clients
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Frank Wallis
Stave Mill
Honorable Mention
The Saline Courier, Benton
Scarlett Castleberry
Bridgestone donates new van to Bryant
Boys & Girls Club
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Cristina LaRue
Malvern sawmill spill
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Aaron Gettinger
Nashville faces economic blow in plant closure
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Doug Thompson
Pandemic changed businesses
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Worth Sparkman
EV revolution leads to lithium land grab
Second Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Worth Sparkman
Boris Johnson, Matthew McConaughey come to Bentonville
Third Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ Mountain Home couple brings guests down the ‘Rabbit Hole’
Education Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Rick Harvey
Dignan, Perez take top honors at Berryville
Second Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Rick Harvey
Green Forest teachers excited about new schedule
Third Place
The Helena World
Andrew Bagley
Sanders Visits Wahl, Discusses Education Policy
Honorable Mention
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
Shopping spree wish granted at PHS
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Making Wi-Fi connection
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Speaking out against club
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
For the love of Lincoln
Honorable Mention
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
‘Incredibly efficient system’ for Searcy
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Brandon Smith
HSSD’s handling of sexual abuse cases draws concern
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
Kimball and Houston plead no contest; each fined $500, plus costs
Third Place
The Saline Courier, Benton
Destin Davis
Bryant student honored for saving child at bus stop
Honorable Mention
The Saline Courier, Benton
Randal Seyler
Bryant School Board hears solar presentation from Little Rock firm
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
School reform technicality
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
I.C. Murrell
PBSD regains full local control
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Cynthia Howell
Vouchers to be used outside of Arkansas
Honorable Mention
The Leader, Jacksonville
Jeffery Smith
UALR, JNPSD and jump
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Alex Golden
School choice floated as educational policy change
Second Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Alex Golden
What’s in Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education bill
Third Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton MHPS fails to convince voters in millage election, sees landslide loss
Health and Medical Story
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
The Helena World
Sandra Bagley
UAMS Jr. STEM Academy Kickoff
Second Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Linda Smith
Ask a nurse
Third Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Andrew Bagley
Proffit, PharmD Licensed to Sell Medicare Insurance
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Communities rally around locally athlete recently diagnosed with leukemia
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Communities show support for Cave Student diagnosed with leukemia
Third Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
‘Brotherhood’ extends to kidney transplant
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth
District eases shot requirements; frustrated nurses question
legality
Second Place
Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Kolton Rutherford
United Healthcare no longer in-network with Conway Regional
Third Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
James Leigh
RSV, other respiratory viruses on rise in Garland County
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Tracy Neal
Trial’s impact can last long time for jurors
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Josh Snyder
Hospice volunteer rule to return in ‘24
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Garrett Moore
Leaders say region needs more beds
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
Baxter Health unveils Safe Haven Baby Box at hospital campus
Second Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Alex Golden
Arkansas grapples with fentanyl crisis
Third Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
Baxter Health Foundation creates Barney Larry Endowment
Freelance Recognition
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Terri Hall
Papa J’s Produces in Holly Grove
Second Place
The Helena World
Candace Williams
Elaine Legacy Center Commemorates Massacre of 1919
Third Place
The Helena World
Terri Hall
Playgrounds Provide Necessary Benefits
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Angela Roberts
Area woman recalls life as opera star
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Andrea Bruner
Cave City resident overcomes addiction
Third Place
Nashville News-Leader
Patsy Young
Early Files
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS & ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Arkansas Advocate
Jordan Hickey
The promise of ‘green’ lithium extraction
Second Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Judy Bishop
Freddie Luther feature
Third Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Chardonnay Brown
Moore keeps moving with H’ville soccer, cross country and band
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Sheila Yount
Darius Lamar Nelson
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
Richard Ledbetter
Verdict guilty in water-tower shooting
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Leland Barclay
The new game
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Edward McKinnon
SAG-AFTRA strike
Sports Column
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Remembering Ryan Mallett
Second Place
The Helena World
Andrew Bagley
Turnaround of Barton Women’s Basketball Lifts Spirits
Third Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Andrew Bagley
A Season to Be Celebrated
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Covering its bases
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Jason King
Observations and fun facts from victory
Third Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Lebron will never compare to the GOAT
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Bob Wisener
No Super Bowl in Dallas again
Second Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Bob Wisener
Expect another withdrawal from UA piggy bank
Third Place
Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Mark Buffalo
Staffer shares love of sports photography
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Wally Hall
There’s no questioning Robinson’s greatness
Second Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Rick Fires
Seismic shift coming for high schools
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Rick Fires
Helping hand can make the difference
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Andrew Bagley
A&P Should Work On Greenly
Second Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Andrew Bagley
Vote For Better Schools to Have a Better Brinkley
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Local farmers deserve better
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Chief needs lesson from Andy
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Let us not allow county government to self police
Third Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Remembered simply as soldiers
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Mark Gregory
Casting political shade
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
The Madison County Record, Huntsville Editorial Board
Newspapers report more than good news
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze Your Right to Know
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Jonathan Feldman
Buck Stops
Second Place
Pine Bluff Commercial
Byron Tate
Isadore’s needless death remembered
Third Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Jonathan Feldman
Israel at War
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Greg Harton
The road ahead
The Freeman-Greenberg Prize for Editorial Writing presented to Jonathan Feldman, The Leader, Jacksonville, for distinguished editorial writing in honor of Edmond W. Freeman III and Paul Greenberg.
Judges Comments: Writer conveys point of article early on and remains consistent throughout the piece. Writing was engaging from the start and has clear wording. Excellent in all aspects
News and Political Column
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
Separation of church and state isn’t ‘junk’
Second Place
Clay County Courier, Corning
Pam Lowe
Informed Citizenry
Third Place
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
Trump wouldn’t be Trump without trouble
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Lisa Marie has left the building
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Bathroom bill stinky for some
Third Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Try THAT in a small town
Honorable Mention
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Hell froze over; will it again?
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Shelley Smith
Vouchers Equal Disservice
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Rod Harrington
Let’s hope bill helps everyone
Third Place
Advance Monticellonian
Jeff McDonald
Is this what we’ve become?
LARGER NEWSPAPERS AND ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Rex Nelson
Arkansas comes last
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Philip Martin
The content of her character
Third Place
Arkansas Advocate
Sonny Albarado
FOIA commentary
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Greg Harton
Makeshift campsite
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
Book Banning
General Interest Column
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
Celebrating Sheryl Crow
Second Place
Paragould Daily Press
Steve Gillespie
It doesn’t feel like 21,915 days
Third Place
South Arkansas Sun
Jeri Shire
Old Enough to Know Better
Honorable Mention
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Forgiveness
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
RIP (under a street)
Second Place
Nashville News-Leader
Louie Graves
It is much easier to litter than to de-litter roadsides
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Get yourself an ink sister
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS AND ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Shelley Smith
Lessons of the Daffodils
Second Place
Jonesboro Sun
Gretchen Hunt
We will never forget
Third Place
Advance Monticellonian
Jeff McDonald
Christmas Spirit
Honorable Mention
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Worth Sparkman
Arkansas Spudnuts are lost but never forgotten
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Gary Smith
Storybook ending
Second Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
USS Arizona
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Philip Martin
The night stalker
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
April Wallace
Stepmom’s role just to be here
Humorous Column
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
South Arkansas Sun
Jeri Shire
Lousy List
Second Place
South Arkansas Sun
Jeri Shire
Time Flies
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
A relaxing day at the ballpark
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Ginger lovin
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Don’t be his brakes
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
And he had white walls
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Advance Monticellonian
Ashley Hogg
To the Principal’s office we go
Second Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Dan Marsh
Winning at Wordle
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Frank Wallis
Narcissism
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
Fall colors abound
Second Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Rick Kron
Punny Thanksgiving
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Lisa Kelley-Gibbs
Pack rat wins with letter
Single News Photo
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Glenda Arnett
Aftermath To Fatality
Second Place
South Arkansas Sun
Larry Killian
Multiple Agencies
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
Driver Uninjured
Honorable Mention
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Cameron McMath
Marvell-Elaine Survives
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell
Total loss
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
Changing license plates
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
Sendoff in Searcy
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
The heart of a servant
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS & ONLINE
MEDIA
First Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
History is fun
Second Place
Mountain Home Observer
Alison Fulton
Veterans Embrace
Third Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Lance Brownfield
One killed, one injured in fire on Alcorn
Honorable Mention
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
Rainy Outhouse Race
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Thomas Metthe
Lynette Brown kisses the headstone
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Colin Murphey
Cleaning up the Damage
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Remembering a Fort Smith fire chief
Honorable Mention
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Staci Vandagriff
Responders check through storm damage
Single Feature Photo
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
David Bell
Cannonball
Second Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
David Bell
Spring Break Fun
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
David Bell
Carving in the Ozarks
Honorable Mention
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Joe Beavers
Crown Lake visitors
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
A Super Experience
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Greg Geary
A circus environment
Third Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French, Mistina Hibbard
They gave their all
Honorable Mention
Nashville News-Leader
John Balch
Special readers at Mineral Springs
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Anthony Dail
Spring River winter from above
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze County Fair Livestock Show
Second Place
Jonesboro Sun
Nena Zimmer
Catching some air
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
Christmas Tree Girl
Honorable Mention
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Lance Porter
Model T roadster stirs fond memories of racing
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Staci Vandagriff
Zoo’s lantern festival lights up
Second Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Charlie Kaijo
Linemen rodeo
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
J.T. Wampler
Basketball brothers
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Andy Shupe
A sticky situation
ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Eureka Springs Independent
Jeremiah Alvarado
Forever Young
Second Place
Mountain Home Observer
Chris Fulton
Junior Miss Stone County Fair for 2023 is Raylen Butler, above center, 14-year-old daughter of Jeremy and Jessica Crum, and Grady and Sarah Butler. First runner-up was Raegan Jessilyn Turner, right, 14-year-old daughter of Jessica and Zachary Brewer. Second runner-up was Waylon Briley Hill, 13-year-old
Hot girls read books
Third Place
Axios Northwest Arkansas
Worth Sparkman
Woody
Hinkle
Single Sports Action Photo
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Charles Chappell
Battle at the net
Second Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Cameron McMath
Neighborhood Brawl
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Charles Chappell
Lydia Russell
Honorable Mention
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Bobby Stapleton
You can’t do that
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
Jessie Lyle keeps the ball out of the grasp
Second Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Donnell Russell
Molly Corbett in action
Third Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Jason King
Searcy hands Blue Devils
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville
A-State wins with 11-run inning
Second Place
Log Cabin Democrat, Conway
Mark Buffalo
Miracle finish
Third Place
Malvern Daily Record
Gerren Smith
Indians vs. Warriors face off in seasonopener baseball photo
Honorable Mention
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville
Valley View Volleyball defeats Jonesboro
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Hank Layton
Diggs delivers
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Stephen Swofford
A soggy tumble
Third Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
David Scolli
Big Reach receiving
Honorable Mention
The Leader, Jacksonville
David Scolli
Three players on ball
SportS
finds ‘teaching points’ in scrimmage
By KEVIN TURBEVILLE Sun Sports Editor
Single Sports Feature Photo
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Bobby Stapleton
Homecoming
Second Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Cameron McMath
Sign Up Here
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
I got one
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Nashville News-Leader
Dede Robinson
Cheering on their team
Second Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
State doubles champions
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Lindsey Helm
Rebels finish 23 Season
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville
Celebrate first title since 1962
Second Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze Turtle Race
Third Place
Jonesboro Sun
Kevin Turbeville Victory!
Honorable Mention
Coach’s
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Rusty Fraser
Championship Celebration
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Hank Layton
Wild Walton night
Second Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Colin Murphey On their way
Third Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Kimberly Harper
Football and flags
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Hank Layton Ropes and the reins
Pine Bluff Commercial
I.C. Murrell
Freddie Scott
Picture Page/Photo Essay
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Cameron McMath, Rick Kennedy
Brinkley High School In Decay
Second Place
The Helena World Staff
Desoto At the MAIS Championship Game
Third Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Glenda Arnett, Rick Kennedy
Brinkley Sports Hall of Fame
Honorable Mention
Carroll County News, Berryville
David Bell, Scott Loftis
Spring Break Fun
South Arkansas Sun
Larry Killian
Calhoun County Farm Family
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Nashville News-Leader
Dede Robinson
Patriotism at the city park
Second Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
20 under Fifty Awards
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Arkansas Children’s Week
Honorable Mention
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
Battle in Hot Spring County
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Dan Marsh
Salsa in the Park
Second Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
Mountain View baseball
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
Rainy Bean Fest
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
David Scolli, Adam Kirby
Thunder Over Rock
Second Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Charlie Kaijo
Fireworks and fun
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Hank Layton
Northwest Arkansas Pride
Honorable Mention
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Hank Layton
Bustin out
THUNDER OVER THE ROCK
A ballot committee called Restore Election Integrity Arkansas is proposing an Arkansas constitutional amendment aimed at requiring all elections in Arkansas to be conducted with paper ballots and removing language in the Arkansas Constitution that permits elections to be conducted by voting machines.
John Bailey of Little Rock is the committee’s chairman, Jan Bailey of Little Rock is the committee’s chairwoman and Will Huff of Conway is its treasurer.
2024 Arkansas Press Association Photo of the Year
Jules Barrett, 9, and his dad, Jeremiah, hike the Pinnacle Mountain West Summit Trail on Thursday. Arkansas State Parks said Thursday that the park’s visitor center will close Saturday to prepare for the opening of a new visitor center Nov. 28. A passport rubbing station will be installed at the current visitor center for people looking to fill their Club 52 passports in the interim.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock Staci Vandagriff
(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford)
Zoo’s lantern festival lights up
Zoo’s lantern festival lights up
Conrad Reynolds of Conway is the Restore Election Integrity Arkansas chief operating officer, according to the committee’s statement of organization filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
Reynolds, a retired U.S. Army colonel who unsuccessfully challenged Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill in 2022, said Thursday that the proposed constitutional amendment is a proposal from his Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative, a 501(c) (4) nonprofit group.
A child runs through a cloud of bubbles during the annual GloWild event Thursday at the Little Rock Zoo. The lantern festival will light up the zoo on select nights from Nov. 16 to Jan. 7, 2024. More photos at arkansasonline.com/1117glowild/.
(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff)
Utility seeks exit from settlements
Central Arkansas Water will request to be excluded from two tentative class-action settlements over the presence of so-called “forever chemicals” in water.
During a meeting on Thursday, the water utility’s board of commissioners vot-
ed unanimously to authorize staff to submit the requests for exclusion.
The litigation concerns a category of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, that can be found in a number of consumer products as well as food packaging and firefighting foam but have been linked
to deleterious health effects.
The settlements would result in the 3M Company paying up to $12.5 billion to water providers while DuPont and other defendants would pay close to $1.2 billion, according to a Central Arkansas Water resolution approved on Thursday.
Reuters reported earlier
“The 2020 election has no bearing on what we are doing here,” Reynolds said, referring to the 2020 presidential election. Clint Lancaster, ney for the Restore Integrity Arkansas tee, said that “we to make elections cure” in Arkansas the proposed constitutional amendment.
this week that 22 governments and agencies recently filed objections to the proposed settlements, arguing they are inadequate.
David Johnson, Central Arkansas Water’s general counsel, told commissioners that Central Arkansas Water is a party to the class-action
Capitol decorating
Two months laski County Circuit Tim Fox dismissed filed by the Arkansas Integrity Initiative ing the legality of ballot-counting machines. issue was whether code-based system voters “to verify and independent
Board decision of
A decision on lion price tag for dent traditional in west Little Rock happen Thursday.
The Little Rock Board voted 7-0 absent to table until 14 meeting a vote proposed “guaranteed imum price” for planned for Ranch adjacent to Pinnacle Middle School. Board member ams made the postpone the vote, board members hours to digest the cost and all that tail.
The guaranteed $153,638,057 from & Shell Construction for the Lewis Architects-de signed campus is from the $85 million leaders anticipated voters in November approved the extension 12.4 mills in property finance $300 million struction projects.
In addition Little Rock high those proposed cluded $85 million has become the Lacey K-8 Academy open in August on the former McClellan Other promised
Front Page Design
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Marshall Mountain Wave
Charity Rolen
Second Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
Third Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Carrie Johnson, Karen Sherrell
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Times-Herald
Tamara Johnson
Second Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Third Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy Staff
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Ann Presley, Jason Wilson
Second Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
Third Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Shannon Hahn, Opal Dennis, Rod Harrington
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville Staff
Second Place Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville Staff
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Terry Austin, Heather Kersten
Graphic Design Portfolio
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
Monroe County Argus, Brinkley
Rick Kennedy
Second Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
Third Place
Carroll County News, Berryville
Scott Loftis
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Second Place
Pocahontas Star Herald
John Allen French
Third Place
Nashville News-Leader
John R. Schirmer
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Shannon Hahn
Second Place
The Daily Record, Little Rock
Laurie Beck
Third Place
Stone County Leader, Mountain View
Lori Freeze
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Jonathan Feldman
Second Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Chris Swindle
Third Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Stan Denman
Headline Writing
NEWSPAPERS LESS THAN 1200
First Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
Saved By the Bill
Second Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
A Doggone Shame
Third Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
All Tapped Out
Honorable Mention
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy
Cold As Ice
SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
Pieces of Time
Second Place
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Roosters on chopping block
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
A long road to a short bridge
Honorable Mention
The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Steve Watts
Holy trick-or-treat truces, L’il Batman!
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
David Showers
Greenbriar residents sweat out AC controversy
Second Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Staff
NPC baseball coach ready to go Bananas in Savannah
Third Place
Madison County Record, Huntsville
Ellen Kreth and Shannon Hahn
Changes floated for land on Buffalo River
Honorable Mention
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs
Mark Gregory
Family hasn’t lost spark for Tesla coils
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Jan Gaughan
Bye bye birdie Twitter
Second Place
The Leader, Jacksonville
Jonathan Feldman
Bamboozle
Third Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Chris Swindle
Picture this: a speeding ticket
Greenbriar residents sweat out AC controversy
$25 monthly surcharge for small units and $130 for larger ones. In February, tenants complained to Southwest Housing Compliance Corp. about the surcharge for air conditioning. A subsidiary of the housing authority in Austin, Texas, SHCC is contracted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to oversee Section 8 contracts in Arkansas and Texas.
ture range?” Deputy City Manager
Lance Spicer asked the planning and development department in a June 8 email the was included in materials the city provided The Sentinel-Record in response to a records request. “If they do not have AC units, there is no way that would be compliant. This is Arkansas. You have to have cooling because it’s hot here.”
maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees but doesn’t have a similar requirement for cooling.
“However, our code does require that if the appliance was in the apartment when you moved in, the landlord/owner must maintain it and can not remove it without replacing it,”
neighborhood services told Spicer. “That is what we are pursuing on these units.”
that removing a working appliance from an occupied unit was a violation of city code.
pay a
“Doesn’t our code require the ability to keep a certain indoor tempera-
The neighborhood services division told him city code requires landlords provide a heat source that can
The city had told Greenbriar owner Michael Cotroneo a few days earlier
“If you wish to remove items from a vacant apartment before the next tenant moves in, that is your option, however, if the unit had an appliance, either a stove, refrigerator or an AC unit, in it when the current tenant moved in, the appliance must be maintained, repaired and provided for the duration of their occupancy,” neighborhood services told
See GREENBRIAR on Page 2A
Digital Presence & Audience Engagement
ALL SMALLER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
The Helena World
Rick Kennedy, Ladell Tyler, Andrew Bagley
Second Place
Pacesetting Times, Horseshoe Bend
Karen Sherrell, Carrie Johnson
Third Place
Spring River Chronicle, Hardy
Tammy Curtis
MEDIUM NEWSPAPERS & ONLINE MEDIA
First Place
Texarkana Gazette
Karl Ricther, Mallory Wyatt
Second Place
The Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs Staff
Third Place
Mountain Home Observer
Alison Fulton, Chris Fulton
LARGER NEWSPAPERS
First Place
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Sarah Campbell-Miller, Nick Popowitch, Staff
Second Place
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville
Tony Reyes, Ben Collins, Andrew Joseph
Third Place
Pine Bluff Commercial Staff
The Meredith Oakley Award
The Meredith Oakley Award presented to Tamara Johnson, Times-Herald, Forrest City, for utilizing the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act to gather important information vital to exposing violations of the FOIA.
Judges Comments: This story is important for the community. The bonus that it compelled FOIA training for school board members serves to remind all government officials they serve the public; the public does not serve them.
The Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Award
The Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Award presented to John Allen French, Pocahontas Star Herald for Columnist of the Year
Judges Comments: Writer grabs reader’s attention from the start and maintains consistent interest throughout the material. Wellwritten, heartfelt, and relevant to when it was written.
