CNJ takes top spot at APME awards

WIRE AND CNJ STAFF

The Clovis News Journal won top honors in its circulation division Saturday, for the third year in a row, at the New Mexico Associated Press Managing Editors awards banquet.

Awards for excellence in news coverage for 2003 are presented in 17 categories and three circulation divisions for newspapers in New Mexico, as well as those along the border that receive the New Mexico state AP wire.

The Clovis News Journal won best of show, taking first place for headlines, front page-section front design, spot news photo, feature photo, photo essay and Web site.

The contest was judged by AP members in Arkansas, and a point system was used to determine the best-of-show winners.

The Santa Fe New Mexican and The Durango Herald won top honors in their circulation divisions.

Awards won by the News Journal and the Portales News-Tribune are:

• Spot News — Honorable Mention: Portales News-Tribune, Service honors Fallen Marine, Mike Linn.

• Columns — 3. Clovis News Journal, He’s The Center Of Attention One Last Time, David Stevens.

• Investigative Reporting — 3. Portales News-Tribune, Police/Court Conflict, Linn, Kevin Wilson and Gary Mitchell.

• Continuing Coverage — 2. Clovis News Journal, Region’s Water Supply, Claire Bushey, Haley Rice, Dave Gragg, Tony Farkas and Mitchell.

• Sports Newswriting — Honorable Mention: Portales News-Tribune, New Mexico Fighters Square Off In Clovis, Wilson.

• Editorials — 2. Clovis News Journal, Water Must Continue To Flow - Or We Must Go, Stevens. Honorable Mention: Clovis News Journal, Quit Quibbling; Close Wheaton, Ray Sullivan.

• Headlines — 1. Clovis News Journal, Rick White.

• Front Page/Section Front — 1. Clovis News Journal, White. 2. Clovis News Journal, White.

• Spot News Photo — 1. Clovis News Journal, Fire Grief, Eric Kluth. 2. Clovis News Journal, Burial Service, Kluth. Honorable Mention: Clovis News Journal, Homicide, Kluth.

• Sports Photo — 3. Clovis News Journal, Girls’ Basketball, Kluth. Honorable Mention: Portales News-Tribune, Basketball, Wilson.

• Feature Photo — 1. Clovis News Journal, Reading, Kluth.

• Photo Essay — 1. Clovis News Journal, Troops Return, Kluth. 2. Portales News-Tribune, Troops Return, Lisa Sonnenschein. 3. Clovis News Journal, Boxing, Kluth. Honorable Mention: Portales News-Tribune, Heritage Days, Sonnenschein.

• Web site — 1. Clovis News Journal, staff.

• Best of Show — Clovis News Journal.