The Covington News earned 13 awards Friday in the Georgia Press Association's 2011 Better Newspaper Contest.

Top honors in Division E went to Reporter Amber Pittman in hard news writing for her work on a story about overcrowding at the Newton County Detention Center.

Sports Editor Josh Briggs placed first for a sports column, and The News also took first place honors for its religion coverage.

Second place awards went to reporter Gabe Khouli for business coverage and to columnist Beth McAfee-Hallman in the humorous column category.

The paper placed third in community service and the paper tied for third place in general excellence with the Northeast Georgian from Cornelia. The newspaper's editorial page placed third.

Third place honors also were earned by photographer Brittany Thomas for best online news project, best web photo and best photo illustration, and by columnist Nat Harwell in the serious column category.

The awards were presented in a ceremony at Jekyll Island during the association's 125th anniversary.