The Lufkin Daily News won second place in the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA) Honors Excellence Through Better Newspaper Contest for best front-page design (under 50,000 circulation).
The newspaper won the prize for the Feb. 1, 2009, front page, which featured a map, graphics, three photos, two info boxes and a story on how Lufkin Police reported that red light cameras in the city had cut wreck reports by 28 percent.
News Editor Jeff Pownall designed the page with the help of former LDN reporter Jessica Savage, who wrote the story.
According to judges' comments, the page provided:
* "Solid coverage of controversial issue ... Maps, graphics and breakout boxes are probably all many readers needed to get the story. Good decisions on how to play up a local story in a Sunday paper."
* "Excellent use of a non-rectangular shape map with pullouts on the use of red light cameras in the community."
* "Well done reporting/fact-gathering job on the pullout boxes for photo-enforced traffic lights before/after wrecks, monthly totals and locations within the community."
* "Good combinational use of photographs with the map. Clean, simple and easy-to-follow page."
The award recognizes excellence in the makeup and appearance of the front page and how the newspaper's staff put together the various elements of the page.
Judges looked at overall makeup and appearance, art and headlines — which all combine to create a compelling page that draws readers.
