The DAILY LEADER news staff captured 14 awards Saturday duringthe Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for2007.

Honors included one first place, seven for second place, fourfor third place and two honorable mentions. The DAILY LEADERcompeted in the Daily Division C category for newspapers withcirculations under 9,000.

Associate staff writer Sarah Holcombe won a first place awardfor Best Feature Story. The story was about how a native European,who now lives in Brookhaven, helped a U.S. soldier escape NaziGermany during World War II.

Managing Editor Matthew Coleman received two second placeawards, one in Best Front Page and the other in Best Headline.Other second place honors and categories included Sports Editor TomGoetz, Best Sports Page or Section; Staff Writer Therese Apel, BestSpot News Story; Staff Writer Adam Northam, Best General NewsStory; Publisher Bill Jacobs, Best Commentary Column; and thenewspaper staff for Best Design.

Third place honors went to photographer Billy Freeman in BestPictorial Series in One Issue, Lifestyle Editor Tammie Brewer inBest Lifestyles Page or Section, Coleman in Best Editorials andApel in Best General News Story.

Honorable Mentions went to Goetz in Best Sports News Story andto the staff for Best Special Section or Issue.

Awards were presented during MPA’s summer meeting at the BeauRivage in Gulfport.