The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com win first overall from Associated Press

The Oklahoman competed in Division A, which includes the state's largest newspapers in terms of circulation.

The sweepstakes awards, reserved for the entries judged the best overall in their respective divisions, went to The Oklahoman's Sonya Colberg, Paul Monies, Vallery Brown, and Ann Kelley and the Tulsa World's Ginnie Graham, Gavin Off and Michael Overall for their collaborative effort on an investigation of Oklahoma's group homes.

The Oklahoman's John Clanton won the photo sweepstakes award for the large newspaper division with his “Tornado Damage” photos.

The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com won 21 individual first-place honors and 48 total individual awards.

Eight staff members won multiple first-place awards. They are staff writers Colberg, Monies, Brown, John Estus and Robert Medley and photographers Clanton, Sarah Phipps and Chris Landsberger.

“Being recognized by our industry peers is a proud moment for all of us,” said Kelly Dyer Fry, vice president of the News and Information Center for OPUBCO Communications Group.

“We work every day to bring quality news to our readers. These awards tell us job well done.”

The contest attracted 700 entries from Oklahoma newspapers that are members of The Associated Press.

The contest covered the 2010 calendar year.

Michael Baker, Vallery Brown, John Estus and Paul Monies — Public Service Reporting: Baker, Brown, Estus and Monies won for their work detailing candidates' background checks in Oklahoma elections.