In the largest division of daily papers, the Richmond Times-Dispatch received a Best in Show for artwork, but lost the sweepstakes award to The Virginian-Pilot, the parent publication of Style.

In a separate statewide contest co-sponsored by the VPA and the Virginia Council on Economic Education, Style Associate Editor Scott Bass received first place for excellence in economic education reporting. His Oct. 29 cover story, “A Balancing Act,” delved into the city’s Community Development Authority, created to raise money to help redevelop downtown Richmond. The judges wrote:

“This really is the type of reporting we want to encourage. Mr. Bass could have made this a simple real-estate development story. But instead, embedded several economic principles. Thus his readers received a much better review of economic principles underlying downtown development.”

Style swept three categories in its division of the VPA contest, including “Health, Science and Environmental Writing,” “Picture Story or Essay” and “Combination Picture and Story.” Its Family Style and Home Style publications took first and second places, respectively, in the “Specialty Sections” category.

Entries in the VPA’s annual competition were judged by journalists from the New Jersey Press Association.

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