Paper, Web site named best in the state

The Havelock News received recognition as the best small weekly newspaper in the state for 2009 during the N.C. Press Association’s Winter Institute held Thursday night at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

The paper took first place in general excellence for weekly newspapers with a circulation of up to 3,500. It is the fifth consecutive year the paper has earned the division’s highest honor.

“I can’t say enough about the staff and all the hard work they do every week to produce the paper and our online content,” said Ken Buday, editor and general manager of the Havelock News. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that no one else sees, and all of it contributes to the end result. The staff here really cares about this community and producing a quality product first. That we receive special recognition for all the hard work is very satisfying.”

The Havelock News received 21 awards during the ceremony, the most of any newspaper in its circulation division.

Reporter and photographer Drew C. Wilson took first-place awards for news photography, feature photography and photo page. Buday won first-place awards for sports news reporting, serious columns and headline writing. Part-time photographer David de Jetley won first place in sports photography, while staff awards were presented for editorial page, news coverage, use of photographs and general excellence for Web site.

“Amy Collier and Scott Edgington handle the design of our Web site and deserve a lot of credit for its ease of use,” Buday said. “Havenews.com has a very strong Web presence because of their work and the work of the interactive staff at Freedom ENC Communications.”

Wilson earned a second-place honor for news feature writing, while Buday took second place for best video. The staff was also recognized by earning second place for best use of an interactive feature, which involved the paper’s special Web page on the Cherry Point Air Show.

Wilson received third-place recognition for feature photography and best multimedia project, Barry Fetzer placed third for serious columns, Buday won a third-place award for sports feature writing, and the staff received third-place honors for sports coverage.

Overall, Freedom ENC Communications, which includes the Sun Journal in New Bern, Daily News in Jacksonville and Free Press in Kinston, combined to win 38 awards in various circulation divisions. Statewide, Freedom Communications papers earned 89 awards in various circulation divisions.