Southeast Missourian rated best in newspaper contest

For the second consecutive year the Missouri Press Foundation has recognized the Southeast Missourian with the first-place award for General Excellence in its class.

The award continues a year of positive recognition. Already in 2006 the paper has received a similar award for excellence from the Suburban Newspapers of America and was honored for best Web site by the National Newspaper Association.

The Missouri Press Foundation award was one of 12 won by the Southeast Missourian at a ceremony held this past Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The newspaper won first place for newspaper design and third place for best front page.

Individual reporters were also honored. Scott Moyers won third place in the Category of Best Feature Story for his article "Widow Speaks," a Veteran's Day story about the widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Callie Clark Miller won third place for Best Investigative Reporting for her work on the piece "The Trial of Andy Abbott."

Editor R. Joe Sullivan was given honorable mention for Best Columnist, Humorous. Bob Miller received honorable mention for Best Story About the Outdoors for an article on local water problems.

Photographer Fred Lynch won third place in the Best Feature Photo category for his photograph of a junior rodeo.

The Southeast Missourian sports page also won honorable mention recognition in the Best Sports Page Category.

The paper won second place for Best Coverage of Young People and second place for Best Page Design.

The paper also received a third place nod for Best Online Newspaper.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245