Awards were presented during the Georgia Press Association's annual convention on June 12 on Jekyll Island.
A total of 477 awards were presented in 44 categories to 73 newspapers across the state.
Editor Ian Tocher earned first-place awards for Photo Essay, Sports Section — along with sportswriter Lance McCurley — and Lifestyle Coverage.
Tocher also received third-place awards for Local News Coverage and Photo Essay.
Managing Editor Josh Lurie placed second in Magazine Cover Design and shared a third-place award for Sports Special Section with McCurley.
Smith Communications Inc. President and CEO A. Mark Smith credited the company's employees for the success.
"I am pleased our four newspapers won 29 major awards and General Excellence for the Lake Oconee News," Smith said. "Winning against more than 2,000 entries from Georgia newspapers in various categories is outstanding.
"I feel it is a tribute to all the hard work by employees here at Smith Communications."
Lake Oconee News
• General Excellence, third place
• Layout and Design, first place — Josh Lurie
• Sports Section, second place — Lance McCurley
• Photo Essay, second place — Skyla Morris
• Sports Column, second place — T. Michael Stone
• Magazine Commentary, first place — Hank Segars
• Magazine Photography, first place — Leigh Lofgren
• Magazine Human Interest Story, third place — Lynn Hobbs
• Health Care Ad, first place
• Special Section, first place
• Non-Traditional Ad, second place
The Jones County News
• Local News Coverage, first place — Debbie Lurie-Smith
• Sports Section, first place — Brad Harrison
• Photo Essay, first place — Brandy Round
• Feature Writing, first place — Greenberry Moore
• Education Writing, second place — Bethany Tapee-Ward
• Newspaper Promotion, first place
• Ad Idea of the Year, first place
• Special Section, second place
The Baldwin Bulletin
• Layout and Design, first place — Josh Lurie
• Page One, second place — Josh Lurie
• Local News Coverage, third place — Bailey Ballard