The Greenville Advocate was selected as one of the top three small weekly newspapers in the state.

The Advocate received third place for General Excellence at the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. General Excellence is the top award given in the contest.

“We’re glad to be recognized as one of the top weekly papers in the state,” said managing editor Andy Brown. “Our staff works hard to provide the best possible coverage for our readers and it’s nice to have that hard work recognized by our peers.”

Seventy newspapers submitted 2,888 entries in the annual contest. Members of the Tennessee Press Association judged the entries.

In addition to General Excellence, the Advocate also earned second place for Sweepstakes Award in the APA’s annual advertising contest. The Sweepstakes Award is the top award given in the advertising contest.

“I am extremely proud of the staff at the Advocate for receiving these awards,” said publisher Tracy Salter. “To be recognized for excellence by our peers is indeed an honor. Our staff strives to report the news of our community honestly, fairly and with integrity, and to help businesses in our area grow through effective marketing campaigns. The Greenville Advocate has a long history of being a quality community newspaper that is considered the best in the state, and we hope to continue that trend each and every day by working hard to first meet, then exceed the expectations of our readers and advertisers.”

Forty-four newspapers submitted 1,032 entries in this year’s contest. The entries were judged by members of the Tennessee Press Association. 

The awards were presented Saturday night at the APA’s 144th summer convention, held at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Fla.

The Advocate won a total of 24 awards.

First place awards included:

• Best public service
• Creative use of multimedia for Greenville Advocate website by staff
• Best use of social media for “Spotted photos” on Facebook by staff
• Best regularly scheduled special section for “Playbook 2014” by staff
• Best in-paper promotion for “Extra, Extra!” by Tracy Salter
• Best single black and white ad half page and under for “In Memory of Carl Brandon Sellers, Jr.” by April Gregory
• Best classified display ad for Food Depot by Tracy Salter

Second place awards included:

• Sweepstakes Award
• Best photo essay for “Snow Kidding” by Andy Brown
• Best use of graphics or illustrations for “Red, white and boom!” by Andy Brown
• Best headline for “Questions laid to rest” by Andy Brown
• Best single color ad half page and under for “Greenville Pediatrics” by April Gregory
• Best advertising campaign for Pioneer Electric by Tracy Salter and April Gregory
• Best original/creative idea for “Smart is sexy” by Tracy Salter
• Best use of humor for “Dr. Martin’s Jack O Lantern” by April Gregory

Third place awards included:

• General Excellence
• Best local news coverage
• Best lifestyle page
• Best spot news story for “Bodies found” by Andy Brown
• Best local sports column for “Sportsmanship isn’t dead” by Jonathan Bryant
• Best single black and white ad half page and under for “Built in Butler County” by Tracy Salter
• Best single color ad over half page for “Walmart’s More Easter for your money” by April Gregory
• Best use of humor for “Dr. Martin’s Dentures” by April Gregory
• Best presentation of online advertising for Greenville Advocate’s website