News and Sentinel did well

The annual convention and awards dinner for the West Virginia Press Association is bounced around the state at various convention centers, state parks and hotels.

This year it was at the Waterfront complex in Morgantown, a city to which I rarely travel and a hotel complex where I never had been.

Getting there was easy; almost too easy since I allowed about an hour longer for the drive than I needed ... and, no, I wasn't driving any faster on U.S. 50 or I-79 than usual, although I really wanted to.

Getting home was another story. I have hit rain, snow, sleet, ice, high winds, fog and a combination of the aforementioned on various trips from Parkersburg through the mountains on I-68 to Washington, D.C., but the trip home late Saturday night was frightening enough that I wished had opted to stay the night in the hotel and driven home Sunday morning.

The rains hit so hard and heavy that visibility on U.S. 50 was down to less than 10 feet, with the fog in the valleys cutting that distance even more. The only recourse was to creep along, feeling one's way in hopes of still being on the road.

As far as the Better Newspaper Contest went, The News and Sentinel did well, winning 15 news awards and the advertising department winning 12 awards, thus securing a third place in the much-sought-after general excellence competition.

While all such competitions are very subjected in nature, it is always better to make a good showing than not to do so ... and we were happy for our staff and their efforts being recognized by their peers in the industry.

The following awards were won in editorial, which competed in Division 2:

* Third, general excellence.

* First, photo feature, Jeff Baughan.

* First, photo essay, Jeff Baughan.

* First, sports section, sports staff.

* First, lifestyle pages, Tresa Taylor.

* Second, single issue, staff.

* Second, sports photo, Jeff Baughan.

* Second, single editorial, Larry Cox.

* Second, sports section, sports staff.

* Second, cartoon and graphics, Ed Thomas

* Third, sports photo, Jeff Baughan.

* Third, editorial page, staff.

* Third, photo essay, Jeff Baughan.

* Third, sports photo, Jeff Baughan.

* Third, front page, Terry Estep.

* Third, lifestyles page, Tresa Taylor

The advertising department competed in Division 1.

* First, best political ad.

* First, best spot color ad over half page.

* First, best theme page retail.

* Second, best classified display ad.

* Second, best single ad black and white over a half page.

* Second, best color ad over half page.

* Second, best theme pages for retail.

* Third, best agency ad.

* Third, best political ad.

* Third, best recruitment ad.

* Third, best spot color ad over a half page.

* Third, best spot color ad under a half page.