The Walker County Messenger won five awards in the Georgia Press Association’s 2003 Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards were for stories and photographs published during 2002, and were presented Friday, June 20, at the GPA’s annual meeting, held in Panama City, Fla., this year.

The awards included second place for headline writing and third for community service.

For community service, the Walker County Messenger submitted articles about Rossville’s attempts to balance its budget, including the city’s discussions on closing the library and approving alcohol sales. “Library and booze make for an unusual combination for the betterment of a community,” contest judges said about the articles. “Through your newspaper’s efforts, it appears to be a good combo for Rossville. Good effort!”

In comments about the newspaper’s headline writing, judges said, “Good headlines — subtle but creative. ‘Rep. Snow forecasts … ‘ and ‘Increased traffic paves way … ‘ are examples of headlines that are natural but creative.”

In individual awards, sports editor Scott Herpst won two and photographer Kandice Ledford won one.

Herpst, who joined the Walker County Messenger in October 2000, placed second in sports writing and sports column.

Herpst submitted several sports articles, including a local story on steroid use among baseball players. “Shows plenty of versatility and knowledge,” judges said. “Showed calm, balanced work in an emotionally charged situation. A clean readable style.”

On his sports column entries, judges said, “Solid, opinionated writing on subjects people are talking about — even figure skating. That’s what columnists do.”

Ledford, who joined the newspaper in September 2002, won second place for her photo essay on the Civil War re-enactment held in Chickamauga. “Great use of placement, size and cropping,” judges said. “Reading the faces of subjects can tell the story.”

The Walker County Messenger competes in the Georgia Press Association’s division E, which includes weekly newspapers with a circulation ranging from 4,000 to 6,999. Division E has 38 members; 28 of those submitted contest entries this year.

The Walker County Messenger is owned by News Publishing Co. in Rome.

Other winners

Other News Publishing Co. newspapers that won awards in the GPA contest were:

* The Catoosa County News, which publishes each Wednesday in Ringgold, won 13 awards, including first place in general excellence. This award is considered the top honor.

The Catoosa County News placed first in community service, local news coverage and business coverage, second in headline writing and third in lifestyle coverage.

Photographer Chelle Maynard placed first in photo essay, first and third in spot news photo, and first and third in news photograph. Staff writer Chris Zelk placed third in investigative reporting.

Columnist Sue Mason won second place in humorous column. Mason is a counselor with the Catoosa County school system.

The Catoosa County News competes in division F, which includes weekly newspapers with a circulation below 4,000. Division F has 63 members; 26 of those submitted contest entries this year.

* The Calhoun Times, which publishes each Wednesday and Saturday, won 19 awards, including first place in general excellence, the top honor.

It placed first in religion coverage, headline writing and layout and design, second in business coverage and community service, third in sports section or pages and newspaper website.

It also placed first and second place in special issues — first for “United for Growth” and second for “Celebrating 100 Years.”

Calhoun Times columnist Joni Harbin placed first in humorous column; Lorraine Roberts placed first in serious column; Nathan Smith placed second in sports writing, photo illustration and sports photograph; Karen Shaw placed second in hard news writing; Doug Hawley placed third in sports column; Jackie Segar placed second in news photograph; and Jeff Bishop placed third in investigative reporting.

The Calhoun Times competes in division D, which includes weekly newspapers with a circulation of more than 7,000. Division D has 12 members; nine of those submitted contest entries this year.

* The Rome News-Tribune, which publishes daily, won eight awards.

Chief photographer William T. Martin was named runner-up as GPA’s Photographer of the Year and took first- and third-place honors in the spot news category. Martin also placed third in the news photography category.

John M. Willis, former business editor of the Rome News-Tribune, placed second in the GPA’s serious column category and third in the humorous column category. Willis is now editor and publisher of the Calhoun Times.

Taking second-place honors in the humorous column category was Jack Runninger, a retired optometrist whose columns have been published in the Rome News-Tribune since 1992.

Roman Life, the newspaper’s lifestyle section, earned a third-place award. Kristina Wilder is the editor of the section.

The Rome News-Tribune competes in division B, which includes daily newspapers with a circulation from 12,000 to 39,999. Division B has eight members, all of whom submitted contest entries this year.

* The Cedartown Standard, which publishes each Tuesday and Thursday, won two awards, placing second in community service and tying for third in special issues. The Cedartown Standard competes in division F.

* The Rockmart Journal, which publishes each Wednesday, won one award, placing third in community service. The Rockmart Journal competes in division F