Sun Journal staff recognized for excellence

CHAPEL HILL — The Sun Journal’s Web site, newbernsj.com, was named third best in North Carolina among the state’s small daily newspapers by the North Carolina Press Association.

It was one of five awards won by the Sun Journal and its staff and was announced Thursday during an awards ceremony at UNC.

Sports editor Jess Huffman and sports writer Adam Thompson together won second place honors for sports coverage.

Photo editor Byron Holland won two awards, first place for his photo page coverage of last year’s air show at Cherry Point air station, and third place for a photo illustration depicting the economic downturn.

Reporter Nikie Mayo won third place for general news reporting for her coverage of Gov. Bev Perdue’s inauguration weekend in January 2009.

“New Bern is blessed to have a newspaper staff as dedicated as the Sun Journal’s,” said managing editor Randy Foster. “The recognition for our excellent Web site is an honor our entire staff, and our entire community, can all take ownership of.”

Foster said the awards recognize quality in all areas of the newsroom, from the Web site, to photography, to sports coverage, to news coverage.