The Greenville Advocate won 15 statewide awards in the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, and 10 more in the APA’s Advertising Contest.

The Alabama Press Association announced on Friday the winners in 25 of the Better Newspaper Contest’s 40 categories. Winners in the other categories, including General Excellence and Best Newspaper Website, will be announced at the 2016 APA Summer Convention on June 18 in Destin.

The Greenville Advocate has already picked up four first-place awards, two second-place awards and five third-place awards.

The Advocate’s 15 total awards are the most by any of the newspapers in its division.

First-place awards included:

• Best news photo for “Vigil held for shooting victim” by Andy Brown
• Best photo essay for “Fast and Furry car show” by Andy Brown and Angie Long
• Best use of graphics or illustrations for “Mad Max: Fury Road” by Andy Brown and Jonathan Bryant

Second place awards included:

• Best editorial for “How do we stop the violence” by Andy Brown
• Best sports feature story for “Powell on the prowl” by Jonathan Bryant
• Best local sports column for “An encounter with the Snake” by Andy Brown
• Best use of graphics or illustrations for “Recruitment of Airbus suppliers takes off” by Andy Brown
• Best headline for “Just going with the flow” by Andy Brown
• Best niche publication for Camellia Magazine by staff
• Online breaking news coverage for “Man charged with attempted murder following South Street shooting” by Andy Brown

Third-place awards included:

• Best editorial column or commentary for “Pettus just a footnote in history” by Andy Brown
• Best feature photo for “Retiring Old Glory” by Andy Brown
• Best news photo for “Fun on the Sizzler” by Andy Brown
• Best niche publication for “Putting on the Ritz” by staff
• Best use of social media for Facebook “Spotted” galleries by staff

More than 100 newspapers submitted 2,775 entries in this year’s Better Newspaper Contest. Members of the Louisiana Press Association judged the entries.

In the Advertising Contest, the Advocate claimed three first place awards, four second place and a three third place awards.

First place awards included:

• Best one-time special section for “150^th Anniversary Edition” by staff
• Best niche publication for Camellia Magazine by Tracy Salter and April Gregory
• Best use of humor for “Dr. Robert F. Martin – The Swan” by April  Gregory

Second place awards included:

• Best classified page or section
• Best single ad over ½ page (black and white) for “Super Foods — Shop, Collect, Win” by Tracy Salter
• Best one-time special section for “Healthcare” by staff
• Best classified display ad for “Service Directory” by Tracy Salter

Third place awards included:

• Best single ad ½ page and under (black and white) for “Express Roofing” by April Gregory
• Best single ad over ½ page (color) for “L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital” by Tracy Salter
• Best classified display ad for “Food Depot” by Tracy Salter

Sixty newspapers submitted 1,007 entries in this year’s contest, which was judged by the Louisiana Press Association.

The Advertising Sweepstakes Award, the top award in the contest, and the Ad of the Year will be announced at the annual banquet.