T-PT makes it 6 years in a row!

We know there’s important news going on in the world this week. The state Legislature is dealing with yet another budget crisis, America is still talking about the Boston Marathon bombers and the Tri-parishes is gearing up for next week’s election.

But, for one issue, please indulge us.

Once a year, newspaper types dress up nice, gather in a hotel ballroom somewhere across the state and applaud our collective effort. The best of the best are chosen and acknowledged as the best in the state.

On Saturday, the Louisiana Press Association handed out Newspaper of the Year honors at the 133rd annual LPA Convention in Baton Rouge.

By now, you’ve deduced the Tri-Parish Times is quite tickled to have been named the state’s top paper in our division – a slot that included 10 daily publications.

In all, 74 newspapers, publications and college/university student newspapers submitted 3,561 entries – stories, page designs, photos, advertisements and graphics – for consideration.

Our paper was awarded our division’s sixth consecutive editorial sweepstakes award – the big enchilada for newshounds keeping score at home. Our paper also earned the advertising sweepstakes.

It’s a tremendous honor and a reminder that our craft does require a multitude of skill to do well.

It also requires a number of people.

Major kudos are due our news team – Eric Besson, John DeSantis, Casey Gisclair and Claudette Olivier and contributor Howard Castay Jr. and others. A tip of the hat also to Mike Nixon, staff writer emeritus.

Congratulations are also due to Alyson Showalter for her tremendous feats in layout and design.

And while it’s generally the reporters and top brass who, for better or worse, get the most attention, we’d be amiss if we didn’t include the rest of the Tri-Parish Times team in the celebration.

These are the folks many readers will likely never meet in person, but who help keep this train running on time. This includes Jennie Childs and our sales team on the street, Brad Thibodaux, Celeste Adams, Harold Cancienne, Linda Dupre and newest addition, Matt Bourgeois.

Forgive us this week if we seem a bit big headed, but we promise you all we do is with you, our readers, in mind. We’re looking forward to continuing to improve our product, hone our news skills and to deliver you an informative, reliable newspaper. After all, we’re beginning to like the sound of hearing, “Newspaper of the Year … the Tri-Parish Times.”

In the meantime, we look to you, our partners in this relationship, to join the effort.

Know someone you’d like to see featured among our pages? Have a tip on a news story? Want an outstanding player or team included in our sports coverage? Whatever is happening in your neighborhood let us hear from you. The Tri-Parish Times is available online and on Facebook.

Our individual email addresses are listed in the masthead on page A4, and our phone line – (985) 876-3008 – is always available.

With your help and your continued readership, we vow to work just as hard this year to deliver the quality news you’ve come to expect.