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The Suffolk News-Herald won 23 awards, including three first-place honors, in the Virginia Press Association’s 2021 News and Advertising Contest. The newspaper received the Advertising Sweepstakes award for Non-Daily Group 4, comprising the state’s largest non-daily newspapers.

Suffolk Living, a bimonthly community magazine published by the News-Herald staff, won five awards. Troy Cooper, the magazine’s designer, won Best of Show among specialty publication statewide.

The awards were announced by VPA in a virtual presentation this week.

“I’m proud of our team,” said Publisher Betty Ramsey. “It’s gratifying when the excellent work I see day in and day out is publicly recognized. We are fortunate to serve a vibrant community whose people and institutions give us much to chronicle. I’m especially proud of our advertising staff, led by Lindsay Richardson, for their work on behalf of local businesses.”

The second annual “Super Heroes of Western Tidewater” edition was recognized as best special section in both the news and advertising divisions. Richardson also won first place in member self-Promotion.

Cooper won first place for magazine design and presentation, and staff writer Jimmy LaRoue won first place for magazine headline writing.

Newspaper designer Jen Jaqua won second-place awards for newspaper photo-illustration. LaRoue won second place for best feature series or continuing story. Former Editor Tracy Agnew won second place for general news photo. Richardson won second place for home and garden advertising; medical and health care services; and member self-promotion. The sales staff, including Richardson, Dana Snow, Hope Rose, Earl Jones and Mitzi Lusk, won second place for medical and health care advertising, multiple advertisers and themed pages; slick publications; and special sections. The editorial staff’s “20 under 21” section won second place for special sections.

LaRoue won third place for general news photo. Jaqua won third place for news illustrations.

Richardson won third-place advertising honors for real estate, lifestyles, food and drug, and professional services. The advertising staff won third place for slick publications and professional services.

Jaqua won second place in the specialty division for sports feature photo. Agnew, Cooper and Jaqua teamed up to win second place in combination picture and story in the specialty division.

Cooper won third place for best front page or cover.