Newsboy garners Hearst honors

The Jasper Newsboy collected a first and two seconds in the Hearst Honors, 4th quarter competition.

The Newsboy's first place finish came in the Watchdog Reporting category with two stories from reporter Sharon Kerr on the plight of Rayburn Country.

"Two stories thoroughly and clearly explored the problems at a troubled real estate development, where lots are nearly being given away because of unpaid taxes and association dues," said the judge's comments. "Where some residents are complaining about bad roads and other mismanagement."

Former publisher and editor Willis Webb claimed a second place finish in the Persuasive writing/commentary category for a column on tactics being used during last year's county elections.

"This was a well-crafted call for civility in place of the polarization that exists in politics today - polarization that is filtering down from the national level to the local level," the judge wrote. "Willis Webb calls on the carpet the two main political parties for not working better together for the overall good. He also urges local leaders to look for common ground. He made his case well."

Another second place finish was made in the Sports photography division. A photograph of a fumble won stringer Georgia Purdy a second place finish in the category.

"Jasper's Georgia Purdy freezes the action during a key moment of a Bridge City prep football game," the judge wrote. "Powerful still photography.."