The Salisbury Post won 17 awards in the N.C. Press Association’s annual editorial contest, including two for investigative reporting.

Competing against other papers with circulation of 12,500 to 35,000, the Post was recognized for news, sports and opinion articles.

The Post won the Henry Lee Weathers Freedom of Information Award for a series of stories last year on government officials’ travel expenses.

Staff writer Mark Wineka won the Associated Press’ O. Henry Award for his feature on Don and Margaret Livengood.

The awards were given at a Thursday evening banquet at the Raleigh Sheraton. They include:

• First place, business writing: Josh Bergeron and Amanda Raymond for stories about Freightliner layoffs in early 2016.

• First, serious columns: Elizabeth Cook for “A weddin,” “Billie broke ground” and “Not an either-or question.”

• First, election/political reporting: Mark Wineka for “Flowers for Suzanne: Trump proved gallant in defeat after losing to spunky actress.”

• Second, investigative reporting: Shavonne Walker for “On hold,” a story about the backlog of suspects awaiting trial in the Rowan County jail.

• Second, sports feature writing: Mike London for “A timeless hero: Kluttz survived the battlefield to play baseball again,” about Alvin Kluttz.

• Second, serious columns: Mark Wineka for “A gift one day after the funeral,” “A mother remembered” and “Maggie dies in the arms of a friend.”

• Second, editorial page: Elizabeth Cook.

• Second, sports coverage: Dennis Davidson and Mike London.

• Third, investigative reporting: Rebecca Rider for “Landis, elected officials and travel.”

• Third, best video: Josh Bergeron for “Salisbury Black Lives Matter unity march.”

• Third, editorials: Josh Bergeron “Uncomfortable conversations,” “Coal ash” and “Student declines.”

• Third, lighter columns: Rebecca Rider for a selection of columns.

• Third, election/political reporting: Josh Bergeron for “Coal ash controversy in NC.”

• Third place, best niche publication: Salisbury the Magazine.

• Honorable mention for the AP’s Senator Sam Open Government Award, to Josh Bergeron, Amanda Raymond and Rebecca Rider.