The Statesboro Herald won 15 awards in the 2009 Georgia Associated Press Awards contest, including Story of the Year and Photo of the Year. The awards were announced Saturday in Macon during the AP’s annual awards luncheon.
    The Herald competed in Division D for newspapers with daily circulation under 10,000. There were 16 newspapers eligible in Division D and the Herald won more awards than any other paper in the division. Contest entries were judged in March by members of the Texas Associated Press.
    “We are proud of the recognition by our peers for the superior work accomplished by our staff last year,” said Randy Morton, Herald publisher. “We look forward to continue giving our readers a product that provides insight, entertainment and information in print and online they can’t get anywhere else.”
    The Herald earned seven first place awards in the entry categories of Deadline Reporting, Non-Deadline Reporting, Spot News Photograph, Feature Photograph, Sports Action Photo, Sports Feature Photo and Photo Portfolio. The paper also earned second place in Public Service, Business, Feature Writing, Deadline Reporting, Beat Reporting, Sports Feature and Photo Essay and a third place in Spot News Photograph.
    Herald reporter Phil Boyum won first place in the Non-Deadline Reporting category for his story about questions surrounding the reinstatement of city clerk Judy McCorkle after she was fired in 2008.
    The story also was selected as the “Story of the Year” in Class D among all writing entries submitted in the 2009 contest. About Boyum’s story, judges said: “Article was extremely thorough, and included multiple, well-informed sources. Excellent editorial work. Great job.”
    Boyum also won a second place in Beat Reporting for his coverage of the Statesboro City Council.
    Herald photographer Scott Bryant earned the eight photo awards. His five first place awards included photos of slain soldier Brock Chavers’ son receiving an American flag in the Spot News category; a boy and his shadow at the Portal Turpentine Festival in Feature Photo; a Bulloch Academy football player literally going head over heels in Sports Action; a dejected Portal football player sitting in the end zone after a loss in Sports Feature; and a series of 10 photos in Photo Portfolio.
    Also, Bryant’s photo of the boy at the Turpentine Festival casting a shadow while eating a snow cone was selected as “Photo of the Year” in Class D among all photo entries submitted in the 2009 contest. About Bryant’s photograph, judges said: “Great use of light. Unique moment from what could have been a predictable event. Great job. Lighting was excellent.”
    Herald reporter Holli Deal Bragg earned a first place in the Deadline Reporting category for her story about the murder-suicide of two Statesboro women in May 2009. Bragg also received a second place in the Public Service category for her story about problems at John’s Place and a second place in Feature Writing for her story about local artist Roxie Remley.
    Herald business editor Jan Moore received a second place in Business Writing for her story about oversight of local banks in Statesboro. Herald executive editor James Healy’s story about a candlelight vigil held for a Southeast Bulloch High School student who died unexpectedly earned a second place in Deadline Reporting.