The Republic received 14 awards at the Hoosier State Press Association 2022 Awards Luncheon Friday, including placing third in the Blue Ribbon Division among all papers in the state competing for best publication.
The newspaper competes in HSPA in the division for the largest newspapers in Indiana, daily newspapers with more than 6,000 subscribers.
The Republic also won second and third place in Community Service reporting, with awards to reporter Andy East and Editorial Page Editor Dave Stafford for stories on hate crime incidents increasing in Columbus and coverage of the anniversary of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Columbus residents were affected.
First place awards went to Brian Blair, features writer, for a story on Emma Baxter entitled “Cool on the ice again: Ex-Disney skater back in the rink for annual club show.”
Editor Julie McClure received a first place for deadline news coverage for a story on the late 2-year-old Emma Sweet being found after she was reported missing Thanksgiving weekend last year.
The Republic staff received a first and second place award in headline writing for a selection of headlines from the contest period.
The Republic staff also swept the Best Special Section category, with staff awards for first, second and third place awards for the Salute! section, Mill Race Marathon preview booklet and Colors for a Cure.
East also received a second place award for best business/economic coverage. Stafford received a second place award in the best editorial writer category.
Photo editor Mike Wolanin received a third place general news photo award for an image of the start of the 2021 Mill Race Marathon.
The Republic also received a third place award for best newspaper design.
