T-PT earns 3rd consecutive state title

The Tri-Parish Times & Business News was named the 2009 Newspaper of the Year by the Louisiana Press Association for weekly newspapers in the state with the highest number of paid subscribers at a ceremony held Saturday in Baton Rouge.

The Tri-Parish Times competed against 22 other weekly newspapers in the division of newspapers with circulations above 3,001.

“We’re thrilled to be named Newspaper of the Year for a third consecutive time,” said Publisher Darrin Guidry. “It’s a testament to the commitment and hard work our staff does each week to deliver readers the latest news in the Tri-parish market.”

The newspaper won the editorial sweepstakes by accumulating the most points in individual categories covering news, sports, feature articles, special sections, photography and design. The Tri-Parish Times also earned a number of awards for advertising design.

Seventy-seven newspapers, publications and college/university student newspapers submitted 3,533 entries in this year’s competition. The Florida Press Association served as judges for the editorial and advertising competitions.

The Tri-Parish Times was the second Houma newspaper to take home the top honor at the 130th annual Louisiana Press Association Convention. In its division, crosstown Houma Courier won the title among daily publications of its size.

Among the awards presented to the Tri-Parish Times were:

First Place

• Best Single Editorial – Shell Armstrong

• Best Feature Story – Shell Armstrong

• Best News Story – Brett Schweinberg

• Best Sports Story – Kyle Carrier

• Best Sports Column – Casey Gisclair

• Best Overall Sports Coverage

• Best Photo Package – Keyon K. Jeff

• Staff Generated-Black & White 1/2 page or under – Liz Daigle

• Staff Generated-Color Over 1/2 page – Liz Daigle

Second Place

• Best Front Page

• Best Sports Column – Keyon K. Jeff

• Best Lifestyle Coverage

• Best Sports Photo – Keyon K. Jeff

• Best Photo Package

• General Excellence

• Staff Generated-Black & White Over 1/2 Page – Liz Daigle

• In-Paper Promotion-Color – Liz Daigle

• Best Success Story – Liz Daigle

Third Place

• Best Editorial Page

• Best Sports Story – Kyle Carrier

• Best Regular Column – Darrin Guidry

• Best Sports Column – Kyle Carrier

• Best Headline – Shell Armstrong

• Best Feature Photo – Keyon K. Jeff

• Community Service

Honorable Mention

• Best Single Editorial – Shell Armstrong

• Best Sports Story – Keyon K. Jeff

• Most Effective Use of Graphic Design on Single Page – Liz Daigle

• Best Headline – Shell Armstrong

• Best Headline – Liz Daigle

• Best Headline – Casey Gisclair

• In-Paper Promotion-Black & White – Liz Daigle

Members of the Tri-parish Times staff attended the Louisiana Press Association’s annual awards banquet in Lafayette on Saturday. For the third consecutive year, the newpaper has placed well in the awards, earning the title “Newspaper of the Year.” * Staff photo / Tri-Parish Times