(c)2009 NPT PHOTO BY NELSON MORAIS

The Newport Plain Talk won six Tennessee Press Association awards last week. Award
winners in the front row are Sports Editor Paul Meador, left, and Reporter Duay O'Neil.
In back, from left, are Tina Pierson and Angela Hull.

CHATTANOOGA-The Newport Plain Talk won six Tennessee Press Association awards during the organization's summer convention in Chattanooga last Friday.

The Plain Talk captured first place in Education Reporting for staff writer Duay O'Neil's coverage of the Cocke County and Newport school systems among newspapers with circulation between 5,000 and 15,000 circulation.

Judges stated the stories "Covered a variety of issues-both the serious and the 'good news' we all need. Also, we like the use of photos with the articles."

The Plain Talk also received a fourth-place Make Up and Appearance award, thanks to the contributions of Angela Hull and Tina Pierson. Among the judges' comments were it "packs a lot of information and entry point on the front and has a modern look. We applause the use of big art."

In addition, the Plain Talk received Fifth Place awards for Best News Photograph by Caleb Abramson; Fifth Place for Public Service on Relay for Life Coverage; Fifth Place for Sports Writing by Paul Meador and Seth Butler; and Fifth Place for Best Single Feature by Duay O'Neil.