The Post-Searchlight won two prestigious awards in the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were announced during the annual Georgia Press Association Convention held at Jekyll Island, Ga., on June 6-8.

A photograph taken by Brennan Leathers, of kids wrestling with a pig during Climax’s Swine Time festival, was judged to be the best news photo during the 2012 calendar year among bi-weekly and tri-weekly newspapers in the state.

The Post-Searchlight also won the J.C. Williams Trophy for the best editorial page in the state, in the bi-weekly/tri-weekly newspaper division. Judges from the West Virginia Press Association, the group that judged Georgia’s contest, said, “The use of local opinion, columnists, and letters give broad range to editorial page. Feature that pushed the limit is the online question and is a great combination of medium.”

During the annual Advertising Convention, held by the Georgia Press Association at St. Simons Island, Ga., in April, The Post-Searchlight won five first place awards and a second place award.

“It’s always gratifying to be recognized by our peers,” said publisher Jeff Findley. “But the real reward for us are the comments we receive from our customers, readers, and advertisers as we strive to offer a complete, factual news report and an outstanding advertising medium.”

The annual high school graduation section published each May was judged to be the best special section in the state in the bi-weekly and tri-weekly category. The Post-Searchlight won first place in the Best Signature Page for the Bainbridge High School football schedule published every August in conjunction with the football preview section.

Last October, the newspaper produced a Halloween candy bag that was used during the city’s downtown trick or treating. That bag was judged to be the best out-of-print promotion in the state.

A series of ads that were published marketing a for-sale-by-owner home won two first-place awards. The “Sportsman’s Paradise” themed ads won for best Advertising Campaign and Best Real Estate Ad.

A Bella’s Boutique ad won second-place in the Apparel, Jewelry, and Accessories category.