Staff reports

JACKSON — The advertising staff of The Natchez Democrat won 17 awards, including five first places, and finished second in overall excellence at the annual Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards were given at the state mid-winter conference Saturday.

First-place awards included:

4 Black and white service advertisement — Barbara DePrato.

4 Black and white auto advertisement, “Heritage Chrysler Dodge Jeep” — Ryan Richardson.

4 Color auto advertisement, “Heritage Chrysler Dodge Jeep” — Richardson.

4 Retail special section, “Profile 2008, About Face” — staff.

4 Best niche publication, “2008 Community Calendar” — staff.

Second-place awards included:

4 Black and white retail advertisement, “Arthur’s Tire” — Justin Clarkston.

4 Black and white service advertisement, “The Laser Clinic” — Richardson.

4 Black and white political advertisement, “Jake ’08” —Richardson and Ben Williams.

4 Color retail advertisement, “Hammer’s” — DePrato.

4 Institutional advertisement, “Natchez Water Works” — Richardson.

4 Small space award, “Mims Jewelers” — Clarkston.

4 Overall promotion — Ben Hillyer and Rita Brooks.

Third-place awards included:

4 Black and white best retail advertisement, “Cathy’s Cowboy Corral” —Richardson.

4 Color grocery or restaurant advertisement, “McDonald’s” — Richardson and Williams.

4 Color political advertisement, “Candidates forum” — staff.

4 Small space advertisement, “Mustang Sally’s” — Clarkston.