RALEIGH — The Chatham News + Record earned eight editorial awards and two advertising awards at the N.C. Press Association’s annual news and editorial contest banquet on Thursday, including a second place for “Best Community Coverage” and third place for “Use of Photographs” in the contest’s community newspaper division.
The awards were earned from entries from last year, the final year of the publication under the ownership of the Resch Family.
“I’m so proud of the quality of work that The Chatham News and The Chatham Record staff produced last year,” Mary John Resch said. “It’s always gratifying when an independent expert recognizes that quality. I thank all the staff for their hard work and commitment to excellence.”
Reporter Casey Mann received second place honors in the News Enterprise Reporting division for her article “Chatham farmers grow hemp,” an article that explored the growing hemp industry in Chatham County. Former reporter John Hunter received his first award during his tenure, earning third place in the Beat Feature Reporting category for his article “Youth offering hugs of hope for law enforcement,” the story of a young girl who visited the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office to offer hugs and support for law enforcement.
Former photographer Jeff Davis won four awards for his photographs from the past year including two first place wins for General New Photography and Sports Photography. Davis earned two third place awards for the Feature Photography and Spot Photography divisions.
“It’s very gratifying to be recognized by your peers in the industry,” said News + Record Publisher Bill Horner III. “There’s a very strong team in place here at the newspaper and the work Casey, John and Jeff did in the newsroom was worth recognizing. Jeff ended his career at the newspaper as one of the most-awarded photographers in N.C. Press Association history.”
In addition, the News + Record’s current photographer, David Bradley, who joined the newspaper in February, earned a third place award for Spot Photography from work he did at the Robesonian in Lumberton. Reporter Zachary Horner, who joined the News + Record staff in December, teamed with former Sanford Herald reporters Noah Grant and Matt Monarca in winning 3rd place in Education Reporting for a Herald story about a school walkout to protest school gun violence.
Jason Justice, News + Record’s advertising director, won two first-place awards for advertising design. He won in the best healthcare/medical category for an ad for Central Piedmont Urgent Care and one in the best home furnishings/appliances category for a Kimbrells ad.
News + Record Publisher Bill Horner III, a past president of the N.C. Press Association, was elected by his peers to a three-year term on the association’s board of directors. Horner also serves in the board of directors of the N.C. Press Foundation.
