The Lake Oconee News won another award for General Excellence this year from the Georgia Press Association, placing third in its category of weekly and former daily newspapers.
That award and others were presented at the Georgia Press Association's annual convention on June 12 on Jekyll Island. There were 477 awards presented in 44 categories to 73 newspapers.
Managing Editor Josh Lurie won a first-place award for Layout & Design.
Sports Writer Lance McCurley placed second in Sports Section.
T. Michael Stone placed first in Sports Column, while Reporter Skyla Morris earned a second-place finish in Photo Essay.
Lakelife Magazine also received honors, with Hank Segars and Leigh Lofgren winning first place in Magazine Commentary and Magazine Photography, respectively. Editor Lynn Hobbs placed third in Magazine Human Interest Story.
On the advertising side, the Lake Oconee News earned first-place awards in Health Care and Special Section, along with a second-place award for Non-Traditional Ad.
“I am pleased our four newspapers won 29 major awards and General Excellence for the Lake Oconee News,” Smith Communications owner and publisher Mark Smith said.
“Winning against more than 2,000 entries from Georgia newspapers in various categories is outstanding. I feel it is a tribute to all the hard work by employees here at Smith Communications.”
The Baldwin Bulletin
• Layout & Design, first place, Josh Lurie
• Page One, second place, Josh Lurie
• Local News Coverage, third place, Bailey Ballard
The Eatonton Messenger
• Photo Essay, first and third places, Ian Tocher
• Sports Section, first place, Lance McCurley and Ian Tocher
• Lifestyle Coverage, first place, Ian Tocher
• Local News Coverage, third place, Ian Tocher
• Magazine Cover Design, second place, Josh Lurie
• Special Sports Section, third place, Lance McCurley and Josh Lurie
The Jones County News
• Local News Coverage, first place, Debbie Lurie-Smith
• Sports Section, first place, Brad Harrison
• Photo Essay, first place, Brandy Round
• Feature Writing, first place, Greenberry Moore
• Education Writing, second place, Bethany Tapee-Ward
• Newspaper Promotion, first place
• Ad Idea of the Year, first place
• Special Section, second place