First place, Best News Photograph: “Cactus down!” by Regina Ford.

First place, Best News Photograph: “Cactus down!” by Regina Ford.

The Green Valley News won 10 first-place awards and 20 overall in its circulation category at the Arizona Newspapers Association Better Newspapers/Excellence in Advertising contest, including first place in General Excellence.

The awards were handed out Saturday night in Scottsdale.

“We are so proud that the Arizona Newspaper Association has recognized the wonderful work our editorial and advertising departments have done this year to bring quality news and information to Green Valley and Sahuarita,” Publisher Rebecca Bradner said. “I salute all of our employees for their ongoing commitment to local news excellence.”

ADVERTISING

  • First place, Best Special Section: Discover Southern Arizona magazine
  • Third place, General Excellence
  • Third place, Best B&W Ad
  • Third place, Best Color Ad
  • Third place, Best Paid Ad Series (color)

NEWS

  • First place, Best News Photograph: “Cactus down!” by Regina Ford.
  • First place, Best Sports Column: “Hanging Out at Match Play,” by Kevin Duke.
  • First place, Best Column: Analysis or Commentary: “Fighting crime (and the PCSD),” by Dan Shearer; Sheriff’s Department slow to respond to information on crimes.
  • First place, Best News Feature: “Air and Water,” by Dan Shearer; man floats balloon beacon in desert to help border crossers.
  • Second place, Best News Story: “To the rescue,” by Regina Ford, about a puppy rescue in the desert.
  • Second place, Best Sports Story: “One Moment in Time,” by Kevin Duke, about a Green Valley Olympian remembering her time on the ice in 1956 Games.
  • Second place, Best Column: Analysis or Commentary: “They’re here; now let’s talk,” by Dan Shearer; contributions by the gay community are tremendous, and we all need to live as neighbors.
  • Third place, Best Sustained Coverage or Series: Two-part Southern Arizona Wick Communications project on marijuana legalization, led by GV News & Sun.

Overall, the newsroom won several awards:

  • First place, General Excellence
  • First place, Page Design Excellence
  • First place, Editorial Page Excellence
  • First place, Best Use of Photography
  • First place, Best Newspaper Website
  • Second place, Departmental News/Copywriting Excellence
  • Third place, Community Service/Journalistic Achievement