On Friday night, the Georgia Press Association announced winners in its 2018 Better Newspaper Contest, and The LaGrange Daily News received numerous accolades.

The awards were announced Friday night at the group’s annual convention on Jekyll Island. Hundreds of journalists were honored from more than 70 newspapers as part of the content. 

“While we do not make winning awards our primary objective, the recognition our editorial and advertising staffs have received from the GPA is symbolic of the progress we have made in the last year,” Publisher Baker Ellis said. “Daniel Evans, Kevin Eckleberry, Alicia Hill and Gabrielle Jansen deserve recognition for the good and hard work they have done on the editorial front. While we have much left to accomplish, this staff has made great strides toward providing Troup County with a newspaper it can rely on and be proud of.”

The LaGrange Daily News competed in Division C, which is for daily newspapers under 8,000 circulation.

Here are the awards won by the LDN staff:

First place for Daniel Evans’ education writing, which included coverage of the Troup County School System’s decision to build gymnasiums, an in-depth look at a mold issue at a local elementary school and a story from a parent’s perspective on a bullying problem.

Second place for best news photograph by Daniel Evans for a photo of a local veteran celebrating his 102nd birthday with a special box of Raisin Bran cereal.

Second place for best page one entries.

Second place for best sports feature photograph by Kevin Eckleberry, which featured the LaGrange College baseball team celebrating after winning the USA South championship.

Third place for best sports column by Kevin Eckleberry.

Third place for best sports feature photograph by Kevin Eckleberry, which showed LaGrange High School’s Youngha Cho being hoisted in the air by teammates after winning the decisive match in the region 5-AAAA championship.

Third place in best sports section by Kevin Eckleberry.

Third place in best magazine story for Daniel Evans’ feature on Wild Leap Brew Co. in LaGrange Living’s September/October issue.

Second place for best classified page by the advertising staff.

Second place for best miscellaneous advertisement by the advertising staff.

Second place for best newspaper promotion out of print by the advertising staff.

The LaGrange Daily News has also won several awards in the Georgia Associated Press Managing Editor awards. Those will be officially announced later this month.