Yuma Sun wins top news, advertising honors

The Yuma Sun has been named the 2012 Better Newspaper Contest Newspaper of the Year by the Arizona Newspapers Association (ANA).

The Yuma Sun staff earned 34 accolades, including 16 first-place awards, during the annual ANA conference Saturday in Scottsdale. To maintain impartiality, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association judged the contest entries from newspapers all over Arizona and assigned the awards.

“I am extremely proud of the entire Yuma Sun team,” said Joni Brooks, publisher. “Every day they pour their heart and soul into making the Yuma Sun the very best it can be, and it is really gratifying to be recognized for all of that effort.”

“It is terrific,” added Terry Ross, director of the Yuma Sun News and Information Center.

“It is recognition by fellow professionals that we are doing a good job, and that is always something to value. That has always been our goal and will continue to be our goal in the future, to be the best newspaper we can and to keep the community informed.”

Brooks also personally congratulated Ross, who received first place for Editorial Page Excellence.

“I am especially pleased for editor Terry Ross,” she said. “He has announced his retirement for the end of this year, and after a long and very distinguished career, this is icing on the cake for him.”

Ross is satisfied he will be ending his career in journalism with distinction. “You always want to end on a high note rather than a low note.”

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ANA News and Sports awards received in the category of daily newspapers with a distribution of less than 25,000:

• News General Excellence - Yuma Sun Staff - 2nd Place

• Best Use of Photography - Yuma Sun Staff - 2nd place

• Departmental News/Copy Editing Excellence - Yuma Sun Staff - 1st place

• Editorial Page Excellence - Terry Ross and Yuma Sun Staff - 1st place

• Page Design Excellence - Yuma Sun Staff - 3rd Place

• Reporting and News Writing Excellence - Yuma Sun Staff - 2nd Place

• Best Column: Feature or Criticism - First Take “Richard Bible execution” by Roxanne Molenar - 1st Place

• Best Feature Photo Layout - “Spring has sprung” by Craig Fry - 2nd Place

• Best Feature Photograph - “Runner's sole” by Craig Fry - 3rd Place

• Best Headline - “Soup yourself” by Amy Crawford - 1st Place

• Best Headline - “All duct out” by Amy Crawford - 2nd Place

• Best Headline - “Good job hunting” by Amy Crawford - 3rd Place

• Best Multimedia Storytelling - “Remembering 9/11” by Yuma Sun Staff - 1st Place

• Best Multimedia Storytelling - “Motocross” by Janet Chasse and Sarah Womer - 2nd Place

• Best Multimedia Storytelling - “Testimony begins” by Joyce Lobeck - 3rd Place

• Best News Photograph - “Joyous homecoming” by Craig Fry - 2nd Place

• Best News Story - “Blast injures 12” by Chris McDaniel - 1st Place

• Best Sports Column - “Agony of defeat” by Jesse Severson - 1st Place

• Best Sports Photograph - “Fire starter” by Craig Fry - 1st Place

• Best Sports Story - “Hot Corner” by Jesse Severson - 1st Place

• Best Sustained Coverage or Series - “Wilson/Bible case” by Yuma Sun Staff - 2nd Place

• Best Sustained Coverage or Series - “Diamond hunt” by Yuma Sun Staff - 3rd Place

• Best Team, Sport or Sports Beat Coverage - “Arizona Western College” by Edward Carifio - 1st Place

• Best Team, Sport or Sports Beat Coverage - “Yuma Catholic” by Erin Redmond - 3rd Place

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Advertising awards received in the category of daily newspapers with a distribution of less than 25,000:

• Advertising General Excellence - Yuma Sun Staff - 1st place

• Best Online Ads - Yuma Sun Staff - 2nd place

• Best Classified Section - Yuma Sun Staff - 3rd Place

• Best Newspaper Promotion Ad - “Days of Christmas” by Deb Courtis - 2nd Place

• Best Pro Bono/Public Service Ad - “Relay for Life” by Deb Courtis - 1st Place

• Best Paid Ad Series (Black & White) - “1st Dance” by Deb Courtis - 1st Place

• Best Paid Ad Series (Color) - “Jacobson Homes” by Mark Torres - 3rd Place

• Most Effective Use of Small Space - “Doll Up Boutique” by Jim Foster - 1st Place

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Combined Writing, Photography and Advertising awards received in the category of daily newspapers with a distribution of less than 25,000:

• 2012 Better Newspaper Contest Newspaper of the Year - Yuma Sun Staff - 1st Place

• Best Special Section - “Southwest Living” by Yuma Sun Staff - 1st Place