Plaque denoting The Madison Record as the winner of General Excellence in Division E. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

From Staff Reports

MADISON – The Madison Record emerged as the top publication in Division E at the Alabama Press Association Summer Convention on June 20.

The Madison Record took home the top prize, General Excellence, which was awarded due to the accumulation of points based on finishes from submissions in the editorial and advertising sides of the competition.

Also Announced at the convention, which was held in Destin, were first-place finishes in the following categories: FOI first amendment award, most improved, best newspaper website, best local education coverage and best local news coverage. The Madison Record won 24 overall awards in the contest.

Seventy newspapers submitted 2,888 entries in the editorial side, and 44 newspapers submitted 1,032 entries in the advertising side.

The Madison Record won the following:

Editorial Awards

General Excellence by staff

FOI First Amendment Award: First place for “Family seeks changes to marijuana law” by Charles Molineaux

Most Improved by staff

Best Presswork: Third place by staff

Best Newspaper Website: First place by staff

Best Lifestyles/Family Pages: First place by staff

Best Sports Page: Third place by staff

Best Local Economic Coverage: Second place by staff

Best Local Education Coverage: First place by Gregg L. Parker

Best Local News Coverage: First place by staff

Best Use of Photographs/Editorial Content: Third place by staff

Best Layout & Design: Second place by staff

Best Spot News Photo: Second place for “Two die in shooting” by Charles Molineaux

Best Niche Publication: Second place for Madison Living magazine by staff

Creative Use of Multimedia: First place for “Madison Street Festival Parade” on Facebook by Nick Sellers

Online Breaking News Coverage: First place for “Plane crash at Huntsville International Airport leaves three dead” by Nick Sellers

Best use of Social Media: Second place for “Madison Street Festival Parade” on Facebook by Nick Sellers

Best Presswork: Third place for The Madison Record by staff

Advertising Awards

Best Single ½ Page and under black & white: First place for “Guadalajara” by staff

Best one-time Special Section: Second place for “Madison Street Festival Guide” by staff

Best Niche Publication: First place for Madison Living football edition by staff

Best Use of Humor: First place for “Urgent Care” ad by Alan Brown

Best Presentation of Online Advertising: First place for themadisonrecord.com

Best Innovative Online Advertising – Single Ad: First place for “This Side Up Moving” by staff