The staff of Gulf Coast Media was honored for its work covering two disasters that struck Baldwin County in 2020.

This week the winners of the 2021 Alabama Press Association Media Awards were announced. This year 54 publications submitted 1,852 entries in the annual contest. Members of the South Carolina Press Association served as judges.

GCM staff was honored with the first and second place win in the In-Depth News Coverage category for staff members’ combined efforts covering the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baldwin County and the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.

Managing Editor Allison Marlow and Courier Editor Guy Busby captured third place in the Best News Feature category for their entry, “The BP oil spill anniversary, protecting what was nearly lost,” which recounted the progress made to preserve Alabama’s Gulf Coast since the catastrophic oil spill a decade ago.

Marlow brought home three individual awards as well. She won first place for Best News Feature with the piece “Just Beautiful” which told the story of the search for the perfect prom gown amongst dresses donated by local charities.

Marlow also won first place in the Best Headline category for her story entitled, “Ear-resistable urge to help” about a boy who crafted handmade ear savers for first responders wearing masks during the early spread of COVID-19.

Finally, Marlow placed third in the Best Feature category, marking the third year in a row she has placed in the top three slots of the highly competitive category. Her entry this year was entitled, “Saving Taco,” and followed the clandestine adventure of a local mother who tried to replace her children’s pet fish after it died.