CHICAGO — Natchez the Magazine has been awarded first place in a national competition for stand-alone publications up to 100,000 in circulation.

The top honor was given by the Inland Press Association at its 2012 Newspaper Business Development Contest.

Winners were selected from 130 entries to the contest from all over the United States.

Awards were presented this weekend in Chicago.

The second-place winner in the same category was the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill.; the third-place winner was The Buffalo News in Buffalo, N.Y.

Natchez the Magazine is published by Natchez Newspapers Inc., the publishers of The Natchez Democrat.

The magazine focuses on the people and places of Natchez, Vidalia and the Miss-Lou. It is published six times a year and is available by subscription or at newsstands around the area.

To subscribe, call 601-445-3562.