The Suffolk News-Herald and Suffolk Living magazine earned a total of five awards in the Virginia Press Association’s annual contests in writing, photography, design and advertising.

The awards were presented at the Virginia Press Association awards banquet Saturday evening at the Hilton Inn and Spa in Short Pump. The contest year encompassed the 2017 calendar year.

Reporter Alex Perry earned a first-place award in government writing in the contest. The entry featured stories on a visit by Congressman Donald McEachin to promote food access legislation, a change of command ceremony at Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command and a health care town hall hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott.

Former editor Res Spears won first place in the breaking news writing for his story on the Aug. 5 death of former Suffolk mayor, downtown cheerleader, businessman and World War II veteran Andy Damiani.

Designer Jen Jaqua won a second-place award in the member self-promotion category of the advertising contest for the design of a “Christmas in July” ad promoting Cheer Fund donations during the summer.

For the magazine, designer Troy Cooper teamed up with Spears for an illustration depicting the metamorphosis of the historic Obici House. The illustration won a second-place award.

Spears also won a third-place award for a photo of Chuck Piner, a local nonagenarian who still flies ultra-lights.