News & Messenger wins newspaper awards

The News & Messenger won 12 awards at this year's Virginia Press Association annual competition in writing, photography, artwork and news presentation.

The awards were presented last night at the association's news conference and annual meeting in Norfolk. Members of the Indiana Press Association judged the 2008 competition.

The News & Messenger competed against other state newspapers in the 20,000 to 49,000 circulation category.

Among News & Messenger winners are two top awards—a first place for the staff in front page design and another first place to Sports Editor Dave Fawcett for sports column writing.

Second place winners include copy editor Brian Hunsicker for sports column writing.

Sports writer Dave Utnick won a second place award for his sports writing portfolio. Former staff photographer Donnie Biggs took second place for online video.

Third place winners include Visuals editor Scott Lamar, who took two awards, one third place for informational graphics and another third place for page design.

Opinion editor and reader representative Alex Granados won a third place for editorial pages. Day news editor Katie Dolac took a third place for lifestyle or entertainment pages. Copy editor Vince Paterno won a third place for headline writing.

Former staff photographer Jason Hornick won third place for pictorial photo. Former features reporter Josh Eiserike won third place for illustrations.

—Staff report