For the fifth consecutive year and the ninth time in 10 years, the News Journal brought home the First Place General Excellence Award in the large weekly division during the Kentucky Press Association’s 2025 Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers Contest.
“This string of first place awards is a testament to the hard work of all News Journal staff members that have contributed to our coverage of Whitley County and surrounding areas over the years,” said Publisher Trevor Sherman. “Putting out this newspaper each week requires a team effort, and everyone who has played a part in that deserves credit and recognition.”
The News Journal garnered a total of 29 awards in addition to general excellence, including 10 first place awards, eight second place awards, seven third place awards and four certificates of merit.
“We were thrilled to receive this many awards for our collective efforts over the past year,” Sherman said. “The large weekly division always features a lot of stiff competition, so to secure 29 individual awards, as well as first place in general excellence, is truly a remarkable feat that we are all very proud of.”
Sherman led the way winning 11 awards, he shared a 12th award with managing news editor Mark White and reporter Leeann Fragosa for best picture essay for coverage of last year’s NIBROC Festival.
“A great variety of pictures and subjects, illustrating the community impact and underscoring the excitement of the NIBROC Festival,” judges wrote.
Sherman also took second place for best picture essay for coverage of last year’s Whitley County Fair.
“Appreciate the diversity of subjects within the photos. The ATV picture rightfully takes the top spot, as it expertly captures the chaotic fun,” judges wrote.
Sherman also won first place for best general news story for an article covering the April 27, 2025, death of Matthew Strickland, who lost his life saving two drowning children at the Ballard Ford East Road boat ramp.
“The ultimate tribute to the ultimate sacrifice. Good read through difficult to imagine what happened,” judges wrote.
Sherman won a certificate of merit for best sports column and first place award for best columnist.
“Nice tributes in the column on Elmer Patrick and Jeff Chadwell. I’m sure they would both appreciate your comments about them,” judges wrote.
In addition, Sherman won first place for best headline writer, best lede and first and second place for best sports picture essay.
Sherman won third place for best sports story, best sports feature story and best sports page. He won a certificate of merit for best use of social media or multimedia.
In addition to the award he shared with Sherman and Fragosa for best picture essay, White won six other awards including two first place awards, two second place awards and two third place awards.
White won first place for best enterprise or analytical story for a piece he wrote about the history of the closure of Jellico Community Hospital.
“Lots of well researched historical context that benefits readers’ understanding of an important situation impacting community,” judges wrote.
Former News Journal reporter Timothy Wyatt took second place in the category and White took third place for his coverage of a Williamsburg Police Department officer involved shooting.
White won first place for best investigative story for an article he wrote about an assistant prosecutor suing the Williamsburg Police Department for not providing him with a police escort during his off hours after his wife severely cut her hand.
“Important added context to a lawsuit between public figures that allows readers to come to their own conclusions about whether this might impact those figures serving their best interests,” judges wrote.
White won second place awards for best lede and best editorial writer.
He won a third place award for best feature picture for a picture he took of a dragon ride during NIBROC.
“Technically sound and undoubtedly a difficult shot to capture. Well done!” judges wrote.
Wyatt won a first place award for best business/agribusiness story for an article he wrote about the opening of The Hunt & The Harvest restaurant in Williamsburg.
“The reporter offered lots of great detail on what the new restaurant will offer. This is just what readers want in local news. Good job,” judges wrote.
Wyatt won second place awards for best sports picture and best breaking news picture for a photograph of spring flooding.
“Effective use of drone footage to tell the story of a devastating flood. Use of these new tools helps keep local newspapers relevant,” judges wrote.
Wyatt won a third place award for breaking news coverage and a certificate of merit for best video.
The News Journal staff won a first place award for best breaking news coverage for coverage of the London tornado.
“You had two print stories, your main storm coverage, the story about the Assistant E-911 Director, a QR code to drone footage and a YouTube video and Facebook post(s). An excellent effort of informing the community and in various different media. Great work!” judges wrote.
The News Journal staff also won a second place award for best editorial page, a third place award for best sports special section and a certificate of merit for best website.
The News Journal received its awards during the 2026 KPA Winter Convention awards banquet, which was held Jan. 23 at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville.
Judging for this year’s awards was done by members of the South Carolina Press Association. The contest period ran from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025.
