The Brown County Democrat won nine first place awards, including one for general excellence, at the Hoosier State Press Association 2022 Better Newspaper Contest last month.
The Democrat is in Division 2, which includes nondaily newspapers across the state with a circulation of more than 1,500 subscribers.
General excellence is not judged but based on the total points earned in all of the categories. Each first, second and third place writing and photography award receives points respectively. Sections, Websites and design awards receive double points for each place.
This was the 12th year in a row that the Democrat has won first place in general excellence.
The Democrat also placed second in the Blue Ribbon Newspaper award.
Blue Ribbon Newspapers salutes the top daily and nondaily newspapers in the state and is the highest accolade of the contest, according to the HSPA, and is based on an overall evaluation of editorial quality.
The Democrat won first place in the following divisions:
- Best News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure: Suzannah Couch, for ‘Meant to Be’: Local officers, dispatchers reunite with girl at center of child abduction arrest in state park
- Best Business/Economic News Coverage: Abigail Youmans
- Best Headline Writing: Staff, for “Trash into Treasure”; “2020: A beautiful mess”; “Poppin’ again”
- Best Short Feature Story: Abigail Youmans, for “The Family Stone: State park steps carved by grandson of original stonemason”
- Best Profile Feature: Suzannah Couch, for “‘She’s come back home:’ Beloved car gifted back to former owner 54 years later”
- Best Multiple Picture Group: Staff, for “Fair time”
- Best Editorial Page: Staff, Dec. 21, 2021 issue
- Best Newspaper Design: Staff, April 14, 2021 issue
Second and third place prizes were also won by the Democrat, including:
- Best General Commentary: Suzannah Couch, second place
- Best General Commentary: Sara Clifford, third place
- Best Business/Economic News Coverage: Abigail Youmans, second place
- Best Headline Writing: Staff, for “Serving up a smile”; “Eagle Comes Full Circle”; “READI or not,” third place
- Best Portrait: Abigail Youmans, for “Pastor Mary,” third place
