Democrat takes home four APME awards

The Sedalia Democrat news staff took home four awards Thursday, including two first place awards, from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest for work published in 2016.

The awards were announced during an awards ceremony at the annual Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City.

“Once again, I’m pleased to see that the Democrat is recognized for the hard work and dedication that this staff provides to our readership,” Editor Tim Epperson said. “We will continue to strive for excellence while serving our readers.”

News Editor/City reporter Nicole Cooke and reporters Faith Bemiss and Hope Lecchi received third place in Spot News for the March 2016 coverage of the First United Methodist Church fire in downtown Sedalia.

Bemiss also received two photography awards from APME. She took first place in Spot News Photo for a residential fire on East Broadway Boulevard in April 2016. She took second place in Feature Photo for a photo from the Missouri Tough Mudder in October 2016.

The sports department took home one honor from APME. Sports Editor Alex Agueros received first place in the Sports Photo category for his photo from the Smith-Cotton boys swim team winning the West Central Conference title in October 2016.

Looking like marionettes suspended by strings, three Missouri Tough Mudder participants free-fall into a small pit of water after swinging out to ring a bell at the “King of the Swingers” obstacle Oct. 8, 2016 at the Missouri Tough Mudder hosted on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Reporter Faith Bemiss received second place in Feature Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TSD101016ToughMudder-A-2.jpgLooking like marionettes suspended by strings, three Missouri Tough Mudder participants free-fall into a small pit of water after swinging out to ring a bell at the “King of the Swingers” obstacle Oct. 8, 2016 at the Missouri Tough Mudder hosted on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Reporter Faith Bemiss received second place in Feature Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Sedalia firefighters work to extinguish a fire on the back porch of a residence on East Broadway Boulevard on April 12, 2016, as flames from a shed ignited behind them. Reporter Faith Bemiss received first place in Spot News Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TSD041316HouseFire-2-1-3.jpgSedalia firefighters work to extinguish a fire on the back porch of a residence on East Broadway Boulevard on April 12, 2016, as flames from a shed ignited behind them. Reporter Faith Bemiss received first place in Spot News Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Jeremy Acosta strokes during the 500-yard freestyle race Oct. 30, 2016, in Sedalia during the West Central Conference meet, where Smith-Cotton claimed its first conference title in three years. Sports Editor Alex Agueros received first place in Sports Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_DSC_8169-3.jpgJeremy Acosta strokes during the 500-yard freestyle race Oct. 30, 2016, in Sedalia during the West Central Conference meet, where Smith-Cotton claimed its first conference title in three years. Sports Editor Alex Agueros received first place in Sports Photo for this photo from the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editor’s Contest. Photo by Alex Agueros | Democrat