The News-Enterprise receives state awards

Members of The News-Enterprise staff received 19 awards from the Kentucky Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

Presented at a banquet that highlights KPA’s annual convention at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, the awards include two first-place honors for both Chuck Jones and Melissa Vessels.

Jones, sports editor, was praised by judges for excellent writing as he earned first for best sports column. He also had the winning entry in the best sports page category. Jones also earned third place for best headline and received a third and an honorable mention in the best sports story category and an honorable mention for best sports page.

Vessels’ first-place honors came for best headline and best graphic. A presentation editor who is a member of the copy desk team, she also earned second in the best graphic category, third for best sports page and an honorable mention for best front page.

Other individual winners were Ben Sheroan, Jeff D’Alessio and Neal Cardin.

Sheroan took second place in the best editorial competition. D’Alessio finished second in judging for best enterprise or analytical story for a package examining teenage pregnancy. Cardin’s third-place honor was for best picture essay.

Group efforts also were recognized. The News-Enterprise recorded both a second and third under best special section for its Discover and Heartland editions. The paper also picked up a second and an honorable mention for best sports special section. The newspaper’s Opinion page earned an honorable mention from the judges.

Overall, The News-Enterprise finished third in the General Excellence category for medium-size dailies in the state. Considered the KPA’s most prestigious honor, it is based on total awards won in the contest.