BHC Wins 13 Tennessee Press Association Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Bristol Herald Courier won 13 statewide journalism awards Friday in competition against Tennessee’s largest newspapers, including prizes for investigative reporting, editorial writing and features.

The paper won first place for best special issue or section, ahead of papers in Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville.

The Tennessee Press Association presented the awards in the 2008 University of Tennessee/TPA State Press Contests during a banquet at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Judging was done by the Nebraska Press Association.

The Bristol awards were for:

* Local features pages, fourth place, by Features Editor Jan Patrick and designer Jennifer Estep.

* Best single feature, fifth place, by writer Joe Tennis, for a story of a Down syndrome Washington County man known as “Conway Twitty.” “You can’t help but love old Conway,” a judge said. “Very good writing and photography. If not for the ‘weightier’ topics of this category, I would have placed it higher.”

* Community lifestyles, fifth place, staff.

* Editorials, third place, by Opinion Editor Andrea Hopkins. “Diversity of subject matter is impressive!” the judges said. “Dealing with fossil fuel issue, book banning and dangerous drugs shows broad impact of editorial page.”

* Best single editorial, second place, by Managing Editor J. Todd Foster, for “Bring back ETSU football.” Wrote one judge: “State the problem, provide foundation, suggest a solution and then interject the urgency. Nicely done.”

* Best spot news story, second place, for a story of a death in a fire. “Excellent verbal visual. Crisp editing. The lead really hooks the reader – a great piece overall.”

* Best education reporting, fifth place, by reporter Debra McCown.

* Investigative reporting, third place, by Foster and reporters Kathy Still and David McGee, for “It’s Your Money,” which featured an online database of every public officials’ salary from across Southwest Virginia and parts of Northeast Tennessee. “Diligent, exhaustive reporting which shows how our public offices sometimes refuse to follow the law. This newspaper is truly a public defender and protector.”

* Headline writing, fifth place, by copy editor Jerry Shell. “Headlines are catchy,” a judge wrote.

* Public service, second place, for projects on “It’s Your Money,” “ETSU’s fall from football” and for advocating open government. “I spent a long time going through your entry in the public service division,” one judge wrote. “I ended up holding your paper with great respect for the work you’ve accomplished over this past year. Congratulations.”

* Best news photograph, fifth place, by Andre Teague, for a picture depicting police berating a teen after a high-speed chase. “Superb framing on a well done photo,” the judges wrote.

* Best special issue or section, first place, staff, for “The Straight & Narrow on the Crooked Road,” published in March 2007. “This is obviously a major investment of time and resources for the paper,” the judges wrote. “Excellent use of color, great ad support. Section is ‘earmarked’ and divided well for the reader. A collector’s edition. I wanted to keep reading but had to move on.”

* Best single advertisement, second place, by Creative Services Manager Deb King.

Bristol finished with 13 awards and 34 points; the Johnson City Press tallied eleven awards for 22 points, while the Kingsport Times-News won seven awards and 23 sweepstakes points.