'News-Times' wins 18 Georgia newspaper awards

The Columbia County News-Timeshas been named again among Georgia's best newspapers.

Columbia County's newspaper won 18 awards and took second place in the general excellence category among Georgia's largest weeklies in the Georgia Press Association 2003 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were handed out earlier this month at the association's convention in Panama City, Fla.

"We're pleased with the awards The News-Times received this year," said Barry Paschal, publisher of The News-Times."We also brought home 11 awards in advertising, putting us near the top of Georgia's community newspapers."

The newspaper brought home several first-place awards. Among those: sports writing, Mike Howell; business coverage, Jason B. Smith; feature photograph, Jim Blaylock; spot news photograph, Jim Blaylock; newspaper promotion and lifestyle coverage.

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The newspaper also won top honors for its Web site.

"These awards demonstrate that we've got top-notch people putting this newspaper together," Paschal said. "The award for the Web site is particularly gratifying, as newstimesonline.com had only been up and running for seven months when the site was nominated."

The News-Times' second-place awards included: sports-column writing, Mike Howell; editorial page, sports section and Page One.

The paper's third-place awards included: photo essay, Jim Blaylock; sports photograph, Jim Blaylock; news photo, Jim Blaylock; Photo of the Year, Jim Blaylock; religion coverage and layout and design.

The newspaper's advertising awards include:

First place - black-and-white motor vehicle; home furnishings and appliances; miscellaneous; small page ad.

Second Place - health care; home furnishings and appliances; apparel, jewelry and accessories; full color; spot color; signature page; small page ad.