Democrat staff earns state press awards

Staff members of the Cynthiana Democrat were recently honored during the Kentucky Press Associations Winter Convention with two first place awards, two second place awards and one third. The newspaper competes in the largest weekly division in the state.

The news staff received a first place award for its section commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the 1997 flood. File photos by Becky Barnes and Robin Smiley were mixed with stories written by Kate Darnell. Donald Richie was in charge of layout and design.

The staff did a great job of covering the 10-year anniversary of the flood. I read it cover to cover. The stories were compelling and the photos were amazing, said one of the contest judges.

Barnes also earned a first place award for her coverage of a domestic situation that turned into a fiery scare for Hillside Apartment residents. Barnes also received a second place for a photograph taken at the same incident.

This account fills in details of a fast-breaking event, while still setting the scene and painting a portrait of the people involved. Terrific work, said the judges of Barnes spot news coverage.

She received a third place for a sports photograph taken at the KSHAA tennis regionals in Georgetown.

Richie and graphic artist Suzie Fryman received a second place award for their collaborative artwork and graphics depicting Crime in Harrison County.