The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel staff received a number of top honors Saturday as part of the annual Maine Press Association ceremony held virtually.

In all, the Central Maine newspapers had more than 30 awards across a variety of categories for Maine’s newspapers as part of the 2020 Better Newspaper Contest for reporters, photographers, editors, designers, production, advertising and circulation.

The Maine Press Association held its annual awards ceremony virtually Saturday night, opting for the second year in a row for an online presentation instead of an in-person gathering because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Among staff at the central Maine newspapers, first-place winners in individual categories among the state’s daily newspapers were photographers Michael G. Seamans and Rich Abrahamson; news reporter Taylor Abbott; sports reporter Drew Bonifant; and copydesk editor Ben Pinette. The papers also had first-place entries for former news reporter Greg Levinsky and a posthumous first place for opinion columnist George Smith.

Bonifant, in winning first place for sports columnist, was recognized for the top honor among the state’s daily newspapers for his contributions to the “Sidelines” columns appearing in the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel sports sections.

The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel sports staff, meanwhile, was honored with 1st place for best sports section among daily newspapers.

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Smith, who died earlier this year at age 72, received first place as the state’s best opinion columnist among daily newspapers for his “Maine Stream” op-eds. Smith, of Mount Vernon, wrote the weekly editorial-page columns for the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, and in 2014 Islandport Press published his book of columns about Maine, “A Life Lived Outdoors.”

Seamans won first place for best news photo showing a protest in front of the Fairfield home of Timothy Silva, the driver during a fatal crash that left three students dead. That photo was also selected as Best in Show.

Samantha Baker, right center, is comforted Oct. 17, 2020, during a protest in front of the Fairfield home of Timothy Silva, the driver during a fatal February crash that left three students dead, including Baker’s daughters, Emily and Ashlin Baker. This photo won first place for a news photo and Best in Show in the annual Maine Press Association contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel file

Seamans also won first place for a spot news photo showing firefighters responding to a fully-involved apartment building fire on Carey Lane in the South End of Waterville during the early morning hours.

Abrahamson won first place for a scenic photo showing a deer dashing across a road in Mercer, as well as first place for a feature photo showing a dog watching as Patrick Higgins raises a 20-inch pickerel while ice fishing in Fairfield.

Abbott and Levinsky won first place for a continuing story based on their coverage of Unity College laying off 15% of its staff and announcing plans to transform its educational model. Levinsky also won first place for a political story, “Which Nadeau is running for office,” as well as first place for a food story/feature, “‘Donut Day’ at the Amish Community Market in Unity brings people together.”

Pinette won first place for a news headline, “Anxiety on the ride,” accompanying a front page story exploring students’ mental health in schools during the pandemic.

In advertising awards, Dawn Tantum won first place for an advertising campaign or series, “Safety Series,” and Alicia Tuttle won first place for best supplement cover, “Fall Home and Garden.”

As a whole, the staff of Central Maine Sunday finished third in the General Excellence weekend category.


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