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The newspaper competed in Division G, which includes weekly newspapers with circulation between 3,000 and 5,000.
The division has 30 weekly newspapers throughout the state. The contest has eight divisions, A through H. Division A has the largest circulation (more than 30,000), while Division H has the smallest (less than 3,000).
Editor Kevin Cummings is pleased with the performance of The Catoosa County News staff, including its columnists and part-time feature writers.
“This staff put a lot of hard work into the newspaper in 2005 and it’s nice to have that effort recognized,” Cummings said. “I am proud of what we did last year and I feel the paper is even better this year. I congratulate our staff and offer thanks to the judges and the Georgia Press Association.”
Awards include first place in information graphics; second place in sports writing and feature photograph; and third place for photo essay, religion coverage, and sports column.
This first place is the newspaper’s first win in the category of information graphics, combining photos and text information. Former Catoosa County News photographer April Hill won for “Marriage, divorce on the rise in Georgia.”
“The picture used for graphic is catchy,” judges said. “Once the eye trains to it, the information is easy to access and read; great looking and a wonderful idea.”
Sports editor Misty Martin earned a second-place win in sports writing. Her entries included “Special in every way,” a focus on the Special Olympics; “Ringgold’s Baker cooks up a cup of revenge,” about the clash for the Catoosa Cup between Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe high schools; and a feature on Blake Daffron.
Her unique perspective in her weekly sports columns entries — “Bury me next to the ballfield,” “I need the game,” and “You’re a role model” — helped the newspaper earn a third-year win for sports column. Martin won third place in this category.
“The columnist uses her unique stature as a one-time college athlete to provide unique angles and insight,” judges said.
Staff writer Randall Franks yielded yet another award for feature photo with a second-place win for his Jan. 19 photo of Roger Goodwin at North Georgia Tire and Alignment for the story “Battlefield Parkway tug of war heats up.” Judges said “Nice perspective.”
The newspaper also received its first win in religion coverage with a third place for Randall Franks’ features on the Catoosa County history of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” WBFC Southern gospel radio hitting the airwaves in Catoosa, Dino appearing at First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe and March 16 and 23 church columns from Lillie Ware, Robbie Rogers, Margie Stringer, Emma Jo Davis, Norma Haisten and Misty Murphy.
“Readable and interesting story on local area’s gospel music history with interesting photos,” judges said. “Regular church section has details that are missing in many papers.”
Former Catoosa News photographer April Hill won a third-place award for a photo essay featuring a series of images on the Pickin’ Barn.
“Good photo, tells the story,” judges said.
The awards, which recognize Georgia newspapers’ outstanding achievement during 2005, were announced June 16 during the annual GPA awards banquet in Savannah.
The Catoosa County News, serving Catoosa County since 1949 as the county’s legal organ, is one of six News Publishing Co. newspapers. The six awards earned by The Catoosa County News add to 65 GPA awards presented to the newspaper since 1991.
In 2005, The Catoosa County News editorial staff included publisher Don Stilwell; editor Kevin Cummings; sports editor Misty Martin; staff writers Randall Franks, Chris Reeves; staff photographers April Hill and Terry Pennington; feature writers Naman Crowe andJeff O’Bryant; office manager Cindy Black; former editor Stan Guess; former news editor Chris Zelk; former news editor Leslie Marshall; and intern Jessica Fleming. Advertising staff included Denise Smith, Wanda Guess and Karen Phillips.
News Publishing Co.’s weekly papers won 30 awards in the Georgia Press Association’s 2006 Better Newspaper Contest. Newspaper journalists from other states judge the Better Newspaper Contest.
News Publishing Co. is headquartered in Rome, Ga.
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