The Lawrence Journal-World on Friday won 11 Suburban Newspapers of America Awards for 2006, the most in the country for the second consecutive year.

The Journal-World won seven first-place and two second-place awards and two honorable mentions.

First place honors include:

¢ Christy Little, special sections editor, Best Special Section for Progress 2006.

¢ Joel Mathis, managing editor for convergence, Best Breaking News Story for coverage of the Boardwalk Apartments fire.

¢ Jon Niccum, entertainment editor, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing for a feature story on a collaboration between a Lawrence artist and filmmaker.

¢ Best Sports section.

¢ Best Feature Photos.

¢ Pulse, Best Young People’s Coverage.

¢ Lawrence Family Magazine, Best Parent Publication.

Meanwhile, Editorial Page Editor Ann Gardner took second place for Best Editorial Page and Arts Editor Mindie Paget won second place for Best Arts & Entertainment Writing for a feature on the impact of silence on art.

Mathis received an honorable mention in the category of Best Environmental Coverage for his story “Leak Fuels Neighbors’ Fears,” and Susan Roberts received an honorable mention for Best Headline for “Mounties Enforce Lawn Order.”

The Journal-World placed second in the nation last summer in SNA’s Newspaper of the Year contest for papers up to 25,000 daily circulation. The newspaper finished first in 2005.

Suburban Newspapers of America is composed of 2,000 newspapers across North America.