The Neosho Daily News set a record for the most awards in one year from the Associated Press Managing Editors group after receiving 10 honors for its work in 2008.

The winners were announced Monday and their awards will be presented at the Missouri Press Association’s annual convention in October. At that time, the Sweepstakes Award winner — chosen from all the first-place winners — will be announced.

“I am so proud that the hard-working staff we have here at the Daily News was honored,” said Rick Rogers, publisher of the Daily News. “I consider myself fortunate to have such a talented, hard-working staff, not only in the newsroom, but in every department in the building. I consider these awards ‘newspaper’ awards, not ‘newsroom’ awards. Everyone involved in the process — book-keepers, front office staff of classified and circulation, ad designers, sales staff, inserters, pressmen and carriers — all play a vital role in publishing this newspaper.”

Division I competition included AP member newspapers in cities with population of more than 50,000; Division II, for cities of population between 15,000 to 50,000, and Division III, for cities under 15,000 population. The Neosho Daily News competes in Division III. Judging was conducted by AP member newspapers in Tennessee.

The Neosho Daily News received first place in Spot News for its coverage of the devastating May 10, 2008, tornado that left 14 dead and millions in damage in its wake. Daily News’ staff members John Ford, Todd G. Higdon and Wes Franklin were honored for reporting on the story within the hour it happened — and just hours before deadline — and providing full coverage in the next morning’s newspaper.

Rogers received first place in Spot News photo for a photo titled, “Tornado Hug,” which portrayed a Neosho couple relieved that no one was hurt when a tornado on March 31, 2008, caused damage in Neosho in the Ravenhurst subdivision and along Reid Road and in other areas of Neosho.

Cody Thorn, Daily News sports editor, received first place in Spot Sports coverage for his complete coverage of the 2008 MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships. Thorn’s coverage in the newspaper provided three pages of stories and photos from the meet.

Other honors received by the Daily News staff were:

Feature Writing
2nd: Neosho Daily News, Wes Franklin, “Images of war”

Headline Writing
3rd: Neosho Daily News, Rick Rogers, “Devastation”

Spot News
3rd: Neosho Daily News, Todd G. Higdon, John Ford & Rick Rogers, “It was scary”

Spot Sports
2nd: Neosho Daily News, Cody Thorn, “District champs”

Sports Photo
2nd: Neosho Daily News, Cody Thorn, “Jan. 6 basketball”

3rd: Neosho Daily News, Rick Rogers, “The Catch”
Spot News Photo

2nd: Neosho Daily News, Cody Thorn, “Horse injured in tornado.”