The Times wins 9th straight LPA Newspaper of Year title

The Times of Houma-Thibodaux was named Newspaper of the Year in its division Saturday at the 136th annual Louisiana Press Association Convention in Lake Charles, La.

The Times competed against 10 newspapers — all dailies. This is the ninth consecutive year The Times won Newspaper of the Year.

Also garnering top honors at the LPA convention were The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Division 1; the Daily News (Bogalusa), Division 3; The Plaquemines Gazette (Belle Chasse), Division 4; and the Southwest Daily News (Sulphur), Division 5.

In all, 58 newspapers, publications and college/university newspapers across all divisions submitted 2,777 entries for consideration.

Overall, The Times received 26 awards — 11 first place, 6 second place and 3 third place.

The Times’ sister publication Point of Vue magazine also participated in the competition. POV

received 6 first-place, 4 second-place and 2 third-place awards.

“Recognitions such as these, from our peers, show us that we are producing the kind of content that matters and makes an impact. I’m extremely proud of my team for their accomplishments,” said Brian Rushing, owner of Rushing Media, which produces The Times and Point of Vue.

Listed are the Times’ awards, the writer or designer and, where applicable, story title.

First Place

• Best Front Page: Shell Armstrong

• Best Editorial Page: Shell Armstrong

• Best Feature Story: John DeSantis, “A page once torn from local history”

• Best News Story: Karl Gommel, “Old Houma firehouse nearing demolition”

• Best Sports Story: Casey Gisclair, “Trevor Toups a walking miracle”

• Best Overall Sports Coverage

• Best Lifestyle Coverage

• Best Investigative Reporting: John DeSantis, “New details in Gibson blast”

• Most Effective Use of Graphic Design on a Single Page: Gavin Stevens, Oil & Gas

• Best Feature Photo: Jose Delgado, Team Spirit

• Best Photo Package: Jose Delgado, Special Olympics Day

• Best Special Section: Editorial, Oil & Gas

• Staff-Generated Color: Mariella Brochard, Race for the Cure

• Best Classified Section or Page: Todd Rowan

• Best Retailer Ad: Mariella Brochard, Valley Supply

• Best Overall Website

Second Place

• Best Single Editorial: John DeSantis, “A sad absence of promise”

• Best Feature Story: John DeSantis, “Boaters grateful for rescue”

• Best Regular Column: John DeSantis

• Best Continuing Coverage of a Single Event: John DeSantis, Houma neighborhood shooting

• Best Feature Photo: Jose Delgado, Special intensity

• Best Classified Section or Page: Todd Rowan

• Best Special Section: Advertising, Oil & Gas

Third Place

• Best News Story: Jean-Paul Arguello, “Terrebonne mulls Vanguard fight”

• Best Sports Story: Casey Gisclair, “Underground Story”

• General Excellence

Point of Vue Magazine also received honors in its division.

First Place:

• General Excellence

• Staff-Generated Black and White: Mariella Brochard, Powerhouse Gym

• Staff-Generated Color: Mariella Brochard, Donner-Peltier Distillers

• Best Ad Campaign: Mariella Brochard, Bar Roussel

• Best Service Ad, Non-Retail: Mariella Brochard, The Workout Co.

• Best Retailer Ad: Mariella Brochard, Clearwater Pools

• Best Special Section, Advertising

Second Place

• Best Ad Campaign: Mariella Brochard, The Workout Co.

• Multiple Advertiser Page: Mariella Brochard, Christmas Gift Guide

• Best Service Ad, Non-Retail: Mariella Brochard, Bar Roussel

• Best Retailer Ad: Mariella Brochard, Home Hardware Center

Third Place

• Best Special Section: Editorial, What’s Up Doc

• Best Service Ad, Non-Retail: Mariella Brochard, Gasteroenterology Center of the South

The Times wins 9th straight LPA Newspaper of Year title