BILOXI — Several current and former staff members of the Picayune Item picked up honors over the weekend at the 148th annual Mississippi Press Association awards banquet. 

The awards were issued for their participation in the annual Better Newspaper Contest.

Associate Editor/Sports Editor Curtis Rockwell captured a first place plaque in the Daily C Division for Best Headline for “State open carry gun law misfires”. Former Item Managing Editor Will Sullivan was also cited on the winning entry.

Former Lifestyle Editor Jodi Marze earned a second place award for Best Lifestyle Page, as did current Item Managing Editor Jeremy Pittari for Best Spot News Photo for a picture he took of a controlled burn at the Crosby Arboretum while employed as a staff reporter.

Sullivan picked up a pair of third place awards, one for Best Editorial and one for Community Service.

Former Item staff reporter Alexandra Hedrick also took a pair of third place awards, one for Best General News Story and one for Best General News Photograph. Rockwell also earned a third place award for Best Game Story.

“Congratulations to all of our winners for their hard work and dedication,” Item Publisher Linda Gilmore said.

“We are certainly proud of their efforts.”