Journalists, advertising and design staff members working for the Brown County Democrat brought home a record number of awards from Hoosier State Press Association annual contests on Sept. 14 and 15.
Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest
SPECIAL AWARDS
- Story of the Year: Winner for the #DoSomething story package. This award goes to the best story throughout the entire statewide contest.
- Blue Ribbon: Runner-up for the top award for a nondaily newspaper, recognizing which paper does the best job of serving its readers (eighth time the paper has been a finalist or winner of this award in nine years)
FIRST
- Best News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure: Sara Clifford for “Vehicle explodes in motel parking lot”
- Best News Coverage With No Deadline Pressure: Suzannah Couch and Clifford for Addicted & Dying, a planned series of personal stories about the opioid epidemic
- Best Ongoing News Coverage: Staff for #DoSomething, an unplanned package of stories about Brown County’s response to the drug crisis
- Best Business/Economic News Coverage: Clifford for a package of stories about the “small” and “tiny” house movement
- Best Headline Writing: Staff
- Best In-Depth Feature or Feature Package: Staff for Yesteryear section about endangered Brown County landmarks
- Best Multiple Picture Group: Couch for July 4 photos
- Best Use of Graphics: Staff
- Best Website: Staff
- Best Feature Section or Pages: Staff for Out There, the outdoor section
- Best Business Section or Pages: Staff
- Best Community Service: Clifford for stories about the David Sturgeon Memorial Sidewalk Project along State Road 46 East
- Best Newspaper Design: Staff
- General Excellence: Staff (ninth first-place finish in nine years)
SECOND
- Best News Coverage With No Deadline Pressure: Clifford for “Child support court”
- Best Business/Economic News Coverage: Clifford and Couch for stories about broadband being extended to Brown County
- Best Portrait: Couch for “Joy family’s loss“
- Best Multiple Picture Group: Former reporter-photographer Megan O’Bryan for “Holiday Light Parade”
- Best Sports Section: Staff
- Best Special Section: Staff for the spring 2018 Brown County Almanack
THIRD
- Best Ongoing News Coverage: Clifford and Couch for Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center stories
- Best Sports News or Feature Coverage: Couch for “Former Eagles return as coaches”
- Best Portrait: Couch for a photo of public defender Dan Reuter
- Best Community Service: Couch for stories about the Kids on Wheels skate park effort
Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Advertising Contest
FIRST
- Classified Advertising: Staff for “Toyota — Now Hiring”
- Education: Keith Fleener and Jessica Dell for BCHS Class of 2017
- Other Retail Advertising: Larry Hanson and Julie Daiker for Rotary Club of Brown County
- Special Section Mini Tab or Smaller: Staff for spring 2018 Brown County Almanack
- Best Digital Product: Ian McGriff and John Cole for “Creekside Retreat Big Idea”
- Special Events: Staff for A Taste of Art
SECOND
- Senior Care: Fleener and Daiker for Brown County Health and Living Community
- Churches and Nonprofits: Fleener and Daiker for St. Agnes Catholic Church
- Political: Staff for Brown County Democratic Party
- Special Section Mini Tab or Smaller: Staff for 2017 4-H Fair Souvenir publication
- ROP Series or Campaign: Staff for Friends of the Library
- Innovation Award: Hanson and Tina Ray for Brown County Calendar
THIRD
- Automotive Services: Hanson and Daiker for Webb & Sons
- Real Estate: Fleener and Ray for REMAX
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Fleener and Daiker for YMCA
- Best Publication Cover: Staff for spring 2018 Brown County Almanack
- Innovation Award: Hanson and Daiker for Spring Blossom Festival
