BILOXI – The DAILY LEADER news staffcaptured 12 awards, including third place in the General Excellencecategory, Saturday during the Mississippi Press Association’sBetter Newspaper Contest for 2010.

    Among the awards were four first place honors.

    Sports Editor Tom Goetz was recognized in the Best Game Storycategory for his coverage of the Brookhaven High School-West Jonesovertime playoff thriller last year and Graphic Artist Jason Reevescaptured the Best Graphic award for one highlighting King’sDaughters Medical Center’s service accomplishments. Former StaffWriter Adam Northam won two first place honors, one for BestFeature Story on a special Thanksgiving turkey and in the GeneralNews Story competition for coverage in the aftermath of an Octobershooting of a local teenager.

    Managing Editor Matt Coleman earned a second place award for BestEditorial Page and Goetz was similarly honored for Best Sports Pageor Section. Northam received a second place in the Best FeatureStory category.

    The General Excellence category, in which The DAILY LEADER garnereda third place award, evaluates all aspects of the newspaper. Otherthird place awards were received by Coleman for Best Headline,Goetz for Best Sports News Story and Northam for Best Spot NewsStory and Best General News Photo.

    The DAILY LEADER competed against other state daily newspapers withcirculations under 9,000. Awards were presented during MPA’s 145thAnnual Convention at the Beau Rivage.