Myrtle Beach newspaper brings home 30 SC Press Association awards for local news coverage
The Sun News won 30 South Carolina Press Association contest awards, including six first-place spots.
Visual journalist Jason Lee swept the photo series or photo story category with first, second, and third-place wins.
The annual awards luncheon was held in Columbia on Friday. Here is some of the Sun New’s best coverage according to the Press Association’s yearly contest.
First place
David Weissman enterprise reporting - She cycled through jail until dying there. Is that cost of homelessness in Myrtle Beach?
Adam Benson government beat reporting
Issac Bailey column writing
- What I want my evangelical Christian friends to know about Trump.
- Dear white Americans: You’re not racist about guns. You’re worse.
- I laughed at the Montgomery dock brawl because Ahmaud Arbery can’t
Jason Lee
- Spot news photo - Joey Godwin takes a break from looking through his fire damaged home in Georgetown County, S.C. While looking through wreckage of their fire ravaged home, family members recount how off-duty Myrtle Beach firefighter Nate Ellis rush to save them from the flames. April 27, 2023.
- Photo series or photo story - Summer Lights: Visitors to Brookgreen Gardens take in the ‘Summer Light: Art by Night’ exhibition in Murrells Inlet, S.C.
- News video - Project Depicts Myrtle Beach Life Through The Eyes Of People Living With Homelessness
Second place
General Excellence - Staff
Ben Morse sports video - Which coastal football player has the most Instagram followers?
Caroline Williamson reporting in depth - Baby Boy Horry father seeks closure. Mother should serve time for baby’s death, he says.
Adam Benson series of articles on Myrtle Beach downtown revitalization for Arts and Innovation: Downtown Myrtle Beach revitalizes The iconic South Carolina city is facing an urban metamorphosis. Once vibrant enough to win a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Myrtle Beach’s core today is dotted with empty buildings, overgrown lots and real estate fliers. But over the next 15 years, a monumental plan to repopulate the district has potential to catapult its downtown back to the thriving area it once was.
- Downtown Myrtle Beach wants to be a magnet for arts and culture. CCU is buying in.
- Myrtle Beach’s new arts district is about the future. What happens to the historic buildings?
- Coastal Carolina sees downtown Myrtle Beach as key part of its future. What will it mean?
- How an urban park could help unlock the full potential of Myrtle Beach’s arts district
- Will Myrtle Beach’s housing crunch bite into its downtown development? The city has a plan
- Myrtle Beach to court young talent as it aims to unlock downtown potential
- Myrtle Beach sees economic power in revamped rail line, but obstacles exist. Here’s why
- How long will it take? A look into the timeline for Myrtle Beach’s re-imagined downtown
Eleanor Nash
- News feature writing - ‘I’m gonna help you any way I can.’ Myrtle Beach area trans veterans find support, community at VA
- Short story - ‘My girlfriend wants new toys.’ Meet the man with a provocative sign in the Myrtle Beach area
Jason Lee
- General news photo - John English is attended to by Lenora Hemingway at The Oaks of Loris. The assisted living facility is under new management and part of the property is undergoing mold remediation after being cited by the Department of Health and Environmental Control last year. Thirty-nine senior citizens currently live in the facility. March 2, 2023.
- Feature photo - Ryan Huddleston, a graduate of Horry Georgetown Technical College, welds a tricycle frame at Worksman Cycles. The company manufactures industrial bicycles and tricycles that are primarily used in large factories. Founded in 1898, the company is considered the oldest U.S. made cycle manufacturer. Factory operations moved from New York City to Conway, S.C. in 2016. March 7, 2023.
- Personality photograph or portrait - Jordan Farrar, cruises around Myrtle Beach in his 1963 Corvair. Known on social media as the Retro Myrtle Beach guy, he embraces mid-century style and culture and promotes Myrtle Beach’s history of that era. April 10, 2023.
- Photo series or photo story - Wheel to Surf: Sixty-two disabled individuals were able to get out and surf with the help of more than a hundred volunteers at the Wheel to Surf event held by the Adaptive Surf Project in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday. May 20, 2023.
- Pictorial - The Cherry Grove community of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. celebrated the 4th of July holiday with a golf cart parade and fireworks. July 4, 2023. July 4, 2023.
- News video - Myrtle Beach condemns apartment forcing evictions. Over a hundred residents of low income housing in Myrtle Beach may face removal from their apartments after a judge determined converted hotel in which they live does not have proper business license.
- Feature video - Ocean outfall construction project in North Myrtle Beach provides shelling bonaza for beach combers. June 14, 2023
Third place
Ben Morse sports beat reporting - Coastal Carolina University Football
- Exclusive: Grayson McCall on mental, physical toll of concussion and his uncertain future
- Here’s why CCU’s offense will look different this year and why the defense is a mystery
- Exclusive: CCU quarterback Grayson McCall talks about exiting the transfer portal and NIL
Caroline Williamson arts and entertainment writing - Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand area could attract more filmmakers in the future. Here’s how
Terri Richardson short story - Cruising Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Boulevard? Don’t do it too early or blow your horn too much
Jason Lee
- General news photo - Family members watch from shore as a paddle out ceremony and celebration of life was held on the beach in Garden City on Saturday for Lt. Matthew A. Piontkowski who died of cancer on June 9, 2023. Fellow firefighters, police officers, friends and family joined in the traditional ceremony that included paddling surfboards out into a circle, sharing remembrances and places flowers in the water in his honor. July 15, 2023.
- Feature photo - Cima Bettis, dressed for Carolina Country Music Fest, jumps on the beach prior to attending the kick-off event Thursday night. Thousands of country music fans arrived in Myrtle Beach on Thursday for Carolina Country Music Festival 2023. Tickets were sold out well in advance of the three day event which takes over the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place with the main event stage bordering the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. June 8, 2023.
- Sports action photo - Coastal’s De’Andre Coleman runs for a touchdown after a pass reception in the first half against Marshall. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football trampled Marshall University 34-6 in Conway, S.C. on Saturday. October, 28, 2023.
- Sports feature photo - Rodeo contestants pray before the start of the 8th Annual South Carolina High School Rodeo championships being held at RES-LES Farm this weekend outside of Conway, S.C. Over one thousand people attended the rodeo on Friday night. The event continues through Saturday with $10 admission and children age 5 and under free. March 17, 2023.
- Photo series or photo story - Paddle out for fallen officer: A paddle out ceremony and celebration of life was held on the beach in Garden City on Saturday for Lt. Matthew A. Piontkowski who died of cancer on June 9, 2023.
- Pictorial - Brookgreen Gardens host it’s annual ‘Nights of a thousand candles’ holiday event with over 2,700 hand-lit candles and thousands of Christmas lights illuminating the sculpture gardens as music is played by live bands. The event has been featured in national media and has become a holiday destination. December 16, 2022.
- Feature video - Learn to cook chicken bog from local chef Larry Dickerson
- Sports video - Timelapse as North Myrtle Beach surfers catch Hurricane Lee’s swells