(White Sulphur Springs, WV) – Broadcasters from two states came together at The Greenbrier Resort on Saturday for the annual Associated Press of the Virginias Awards Banquet.

With 170 television and radio personas and their team members in attendance awards were given out to the best of the best from Virginia and West Virginia in a variety of categories highlighting broadcast journalism and sports across the region. 537 submissions were made to this years contest.

Piedmont Broadcasting’s Jack Garrett who recently retired was given special recognition for his 43 year broadcasting career and also acknowledgement of the Robert Gallimore Award  he won in 2020 but was unable to collect in person due to COVID-19 forcing the banquet to be held via zoom.

Overall WAKG and WBTM took home 10 first place awards and 8 second place in their category.  The winners list is as follows:

WBTM – First place

Best Continuing News Story – Jack Garrett

Best Serious Feature – Jack Garrett

Best Multiplatform Story – Jack Garrett

Best Newscast – Jack Garrett

Old Dominion Heritage Award – Josh Lineberry

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias – Austin Bunn, Brandon Burnett, Josh Lineberry

WBTM – 2nd Place

Best Website – Ginyah Woodson

Best Sports Play by Play – Austin Bunn

Best One on One Interview – Josh Lineberry

Best Sports Anchor – Josh Lineberry

Outstanding News Operation

WAKG – 1st Place

Best Light Feature – Josh Lineberry

Best Sports Feature – Barry Richmond

Best Website – Ginyah Woodson

Best Reporter – Josh Lineberry

WAKG 2nd Place

Best Spot News Story – Jack Garrett

Best Sports Feature – Josh Lineberry, Barry Richmond, Dave Hutcheson

Best News Anchor – Jack Garrett