ANNISTON, Ala. — The Anniston Star received an Alabama Press Association award for excellence in spot news photography at last Thursday's APA Better Newspaper Contest, held in Montgomery. The winning photograph depicted the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new surface parking lot on Noble Street. The Green Tomato extends its congratulations to the Star and its photography staff.

The award, in the Spot News Photography — Division II category, was presented to Anniston Star staff photographer Trent Wickliffe, who attended the ceremony and accepted the honor in person. The photograph, published in the Star's March 14 edition, captures Mayor Lyle Henley mid-cut, oversized scissors raised, red ribbon at the moment of severance, against the backdrop of 27 newly striped parking spaces.

"Trent has an eye for the decisive moment," Star editor Margaret Dodd said in a statement. "This award reflects the quality and commitment of our entire newsroom."

The Green Tomato notes, for the record, that covering ribbon cuttings is among the most technically demanding assignments in local photojournalism. The moment of ribbon severance is brief. The scissors are oversized and must be framed correctly. Mayor Henley is rarely still. That Mr. Wickliffe captured all of this while recovering from injuries sustained at the Raptor Run in late April speaks to his professional resilience.

This publication covered the same parking lot opening. Our photographs were not submitted for consideration.

We wish Mr. Wickliffe continued success and a full recovery.

The Anniston Star has received 43 APA awards since 2010. The Green Tomato is not yet eligible for APA recognition but considers the association's standards a useful benchmark.