The Franklin County Times brought home 15 awards in the 2017 Better Newspaper Contest and Advertising Contest through the Alabama Press Association.

The Better Newspaper Contest and Advertising Contest are statewide competitions in which Alabama newspapers are divided based on circulation and submit their best editorial and advertising publications for judging. The annual contests represent the highest recognition for Alabama newspapers.

The FCT earned first place Best Niche Publication for “Franklin Living,” as well as third place in Creative Use of Multimedia for “Franklin Living” and third place Best Magazine Periodical for the same.

Additionally, the Franklin County Times took first place for Best Local Economic coverage, first place for Best Local Education coverage and third place for the First Amendment Award, given for the Times’ coverage of “Knowing Your Neighbors,” the annual sex offender special feature.

In advertising awards, the Times won second place Best Classified Page, first place in Best Regularly Scheduled Special Section for “Progress 2016,” first place Best Original/Creative Idea for JoBabies Car Wash, first place in Best Classified Display Ad and first place in Presentation of Online Advertising, as well as three additional second place and one additional third place award.

General manager Nicole Pell said, “We will continue to strive to provide excellent local coverage in the county, and we are honored to have received this recognition for our efforts to inform and enlighten our readers.

“We are also proud to be able to offer award-winning advertising options to all our local businesses.”

This year’s contest was judged by the Georgia Press Association. Awards were presented July 8 at the 2017 Alabama Press Association Convention in Orange Beach.