Times Publisher L. Alan Cruikshank had a few things to carry in his arms as he left the annual Arizona Newspapers Association convention this past weekend.

The Fountain Hills newspaper publisher walked away with a total of nine awards following individual ceremonies for advertising and editorial entries at the convention.

First-place awards were earned in both divisions.

Times Reporter Ryan Winslett garnered a first-place plaque for his high school sports coverage, while the advertising and production departments were handed a first-place plaque for their role in creating the top-ranked 40th anniversary special section for The Times.

Other ANA awards given to the publication during the Better Newspapers Contest were as follows:

Best column – Mike Scharnow, “Coming clean on my bloated background,” second place.

Best use of photography – Staff, third place.

Journalistic achievement – Editorial staff, “Where are we headed?” series, second place.

Best special section – Editorial staff, “40th Anniversary,” third place.

Best paid ad series (color) – John Gibson, Alchemy and CopperWynd ads, second place.

Best public notice section – Kip Kirkendoll, third place.

Best newspaper promotion ad – Linda McThrall and Kip Kirkendoll, Let’s Go pet edition, third place.