The Great Bend Tribune won the sweepstakes award for advertising in the combined daily divisions I and II at the 2016 Kansas Press Association annual convention Saturday afternoon in Overland Park.
This means the Tribune beat other all daily papers in the state with a circulation of 4,000 and up, including the Topeka Capitol-Journal and the Wichita Eagle.
“It is nice to know we can compete with the big boys,” Tribune Publisher Mary Hoisington said.
The news and advertising staff captured awards in Daily Division II for the 2016 annual news, writing and advertising awards presented by the KPA.
“We have a great group of people working at the Tribune,” Hoisington said. “It never ceases to amaze me what they can accomplish.”
The paper won awards across the board and across platforms. Staff members were recognized for news, commentary, photography and advertising for both print and online.
“This is a changing and evolving business,” Hoisington said. “As daunting as this may be, we have the team members who can tackle these changes head-on and continue to produce informative, quality and professional products to meet the new and diverse needs of our readers and customers .”
The Tribune’s news staff won first place in three news categories — best agricultural story, Veronica Coons; and news and writing excellence, and best special magazine, Mary Hoisington, Dale Hogg, Susan Thacker, Jim Misunas, Josh Keller, Dianna Burns, Veronica Coons, Russ Edem.
The Tribune’s advertising staff captured first place in seven categories — grocery ad, furniture ad and agricultural ad, Tammy Mason, Karma Byers; community event and health-care ad, Diane Lacy-Trostle, Karma Byers; online promotion; Hugo Gonzalez, Mary Hoisington; and online ad (motion), Hugo Gonzalez, Mary Hoisington.
There was a nice mix of individual awards as well as awards representing a group effort, according to Tribune Managing Editor Dale Hogg.
“I am extremely proud of the Tribune news staff,” Hogg said. “They really stepped up and tackled some big issues this past year and proved they can do an outstanding job.”
Covering the news can sometimes be a thankless job, Hogg said.
“It is nice once in a while to get a pat on the back and be told you’re doing a good job,” he said. “This recognition is especially nice when it comes from your peers. This just goes to show we have one of the best news-gathering teams around.”

GREAT BEND TRIBUNE KPA CONTEST
DAILY DIVISION II NEWS, WRITING
News, Writing Excellence, First Place — Dale Hogg, Susan Thacker, Jim Misunas, Josh Keller, Dianna Burns, Veronica Coons, Russ Edem
Magazine, First Place — Barton County Source, Mary Hoisington, Dale Hogg, Susan Thacker, Jim Misunas, Josh Keller, Dianna Burns, Veronica Coons, Russ Edem, Diane Lacy-Trostle, Tammy Mason, Daniel Kiewel, Karma Byers, Hugo Gonzalez, Jeff Leroy, Malinda Hatfield
Agricultural Story, First Place —Grain engulfment rescue training exercise, Veronica Coons
Environmental Story, Second Place — Meet Our Peeps, Susan Thacker
Story/Picture Combination, Second Place — Fun on 2 Wheels, Susan Thacker
Front Page, Second Place — Josh Keller, Dianna Burns, Dale Hogg
Investigative Story, Third Place — Cops Feared Gang Retaliation, Dale Hogg
Editorial Writing, Third Place — Dale Hogg
Photography, Third Place — Great Bend Tribune
Editorial Pages, Third Place — Josh Keller, Dianna Burns, Dale Hogg, Mary Hoisington
Design, Feature Package, Third Place — Josh Keller
Design, Layout Excellence, Third Place — Josh Keller, Dianna Burns

ADVERTISING AWARDS
Grocery Ad, First Place — Rosewood Wine Cellar, Share Holiday Joy; Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Furniture Ad, First Place — Miller’s of Claflin; Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Health-care Ad, First Place — Great Bend Regional Hospital; Diane Lacy-Trostle, Karma Byers
Agricultural Ad, First Place — Welcome; Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Community Event Ad, First Place — Women’s Expo; Diane Lacy-Trostle, Karma Byers
Online Ad (Motion), First Place — GB2GO mobile app promo videos; Hugo Gonzalez, Mary Hoisington
Online Promotion, First Place — GB2GO app promotion; Hugo Gonzalez, Mary Hoisington
Grocery Ad, Second Place — Walmart, Customized Party Trays; Diane Lacy-Trostle, Karma Byers
Hardware Ad, Second Place — Pride Ag Ace Hardware, Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Fashion Ad, Second Place — Brown’s Shoe Fit, Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Automotive Ad, Second Place — Marmie’s, Black Friday Sales Event, Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Grocery Ad, Third Place — Share Holiday Joy; Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Fashion Ad, Third Place — Brown’s Shoe Fit, Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Classified Display Ad — Keller Real Estate; Diane Lacy-Trostle, Karma Byers
Specialty Ad, Third Place — Golden Belt Bicycle; Diane Lacy-Trostle, Daniel Kiewel
Agricultural Ad, Third Place — Great Bend Farm Equipment; Tammy Mason, Karma Byers
Community Event Ad, Third Place — Christmas Chronicles, program ad; Hugo Gonzalez, Mary Hoisington
Adaptable Promotion, Third Place — The Night Santa Came to Barton County; Great Bend Tribune