Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group wins four IPA awards

The Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group and its member papers have won four awards in the Illinois Press Assocation's annual contest.

Leading off is a first place award for the Community Service category, won by reporter Holly Kee and the Marion Republican for its involvement in and detailed coverage of Heaven's Kitchen in Marion, which opened in 2019.

Gatha Moore, paginator for the SILMG, won first place in the Single Page Design category, for the Nov. 5 Marion Republican sports page entitled "Triad ends Marion's season."

The team of Gatha Moore, John Homan and Melynda Findlay won fourth place in the same Single Page Design category, for the April 24, 2019 Marion Republican front page after Mike Absher was sworn in as mayor just as the city was mourning the death of longtime mayor Bob Butler.

Michael "Spyder" Dann won third place in the Sports Photo category for his photo, "The Flying Tiger," taken at the 2019 Eldorado Holiday Tournament.

"I am delighted that the IPA recognizes the good work we are doing in southern Illinois," said SILMG General Manager Stef Anderson.

"These are difficult times for businesses and newspapers are no different," Anderson added. "These awards are a welcome shot in the arm for a staff that is working as hard as ever - albeit remotely - to tell the stories of southern Illinois."