Showing off general excellence awards in the Panhandle Press Association Better Newspaper Contest are Roger Estlack, (left) The Clarendon Enterprise in Division 1; and Tim Ritter, The Canyon News in Division 2. Awards were presented at the 117th Annual Panhandle Press Association convention in Hereford.

Diana R. Fuentes, a veteran Texas journalist and news industry leader who was an ardent advocate for a free press and open government, is the posthumous recipient of this year’s James Madison Award.

The Whitewright Sun has merged with the Whitesboro News-Record in a consolidated effort to serve readers better in Grayson County.

Coverage continues weekly with Austin and Jennifer Lewter at the helm as publishers along with Jessica Edwards as editor.

The newly revamped masthead bears the name the “News-Record.”

BURNET – After 35 years of serving the Burnet community, the Citizens Gazette ceased to publish in July.

The decision to close came after the newspaper received word that the printing plant which produces the newspaper would be shutting down and would no longer be offering printing services to the Gazette and numerous other newspapers which it printed.

KERRVILLE – Shelly Bissell is the new publisher of The Kerrville Daily Times.

Leonard Woolsey, president of Southern Newspapers Inc., which owns The Kerrville Daily Times as well as nearby papers in New Braunfels and Seguin, welcomed Bissell to her new role.

PARIS, Texas – Clay Carsner has turned over the reins of The Paris News to a woman who has worked just a few steps away from him over his 14-year tenure, including the last five years as publisher at the paper.

Southern Newspapers, which owns The Paris News and nine other newspapers across Texas, announced this week that Kelsey Graham will be the next publisher of the paper.