Suburban Newspapers of America on Friday recognized the Lawrence Journal-World for general excellence.

The Journal-World received the second-place award in SNA’s 2006 “Newspaper of the Year” contest in the category of daily newspapers with a circulation under 30,000.

Judges said the Journal-World had a strong local news presence, solid photography throughout and a clear design.

“We are highly complimented to receive this recognition as it indicates our news, advertising and mechanical people all are doing an excellent job,” said Dolph C. Simons III, president of the newspapers division of The World Company, which publishes the Journal-World. “Our goal is to provide a superior newspaper for the residents of the greater Lawrence area and northeast Kansas. We realize there is no room for complacency.”

SNA is composed of 2,000 newspapers across North America. The Journal-World was one of three finalists. First place went to the Southeast Missourian of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; the Daily News in Longview, Wash., took third.

The Journal-World received SNA’s first-place award in 2005.