Democrat editor Samantha Martin was on hand in Little Rock to accept the award for the paper.

"We are proud of the work we do here at the Democrat," Martin said. "But more than that we are proud of the opportunity to highlight all the good things that happen in our community. The people of Trumann are one of a kind."

The Democrat staff also won two other first place awards in the small weekly division. Office manager and reporter Carin McClung won a first place award for headline writing and Democrat sports writer Dan Brawner won a first place award for his sports feature story about Pete Mead.

Martin and Brawner received a second place award for their news coverage of the death and funeral of Specialist Erich Smallwood who was killed in action in Iraq.

Reporter Ruth Ann Estes was awarded a second place certificate for her coverage of politics, and McClung won third place for her design of the lifestyle's page.

Brawner received an honorable mention for another sports feature story as well.

"We're continuing to find new ways to improve our publication and the role in plays in the community," Martin said. "We want to thank our readers for their continued support and encouragement."

The Trumann Democrat is published by Delta Publishing South, a subsidiary of Rust Communications. For more information, log onto our website at www.trumanndemocrat.com.