FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The Alabama Senate passed a resolution this week commending The Fairhope Courier for winning two awards in the 2011 Better Newspaper Contest of the Alabama Press Association.

“I know it took a lot of hard work, talent and dedication to achieve this recognition, and I wanted to join your family and friends in saying congratulations,” Sen. Marc Keahey (D-Grove Hill), who introduced the resolution, wrote in his Aug. 16 letter to Mike Odom, Courier News Director.

In the 2011 APA contest, The Courier took first place honors in Division D in the First Amendment - Freedom of Information category for a series on the lack of accountability by the city of Fairhope in awarding attorney fee contracts, and a third place for Best News Feature Story by Curt Chapman, Baldwin People Editor.

“Through the years, The Fairhope Courier has served the people of Fairhope and the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay with dedication to the highest ideals of the journalism profession, earning respect for accuracy, integrity, and quality of content; the management and exceptionally competent staff are indeed deserving of the significant honor bestowed by these awards,” the Aug. 15 resolution stated.

The Courier also took top honors in the First Amendment - FOI category in 2009, Best Feature Story in 2008, and five first place awards for Best Public Service from 1999 through 2006.