The Cape Coral Daily Breeze picked up four national awards for editorial excellence, photography, and front page content and design last month, adding more recognitions to the paper’s list of accomplishments.

Breeze Newspapers took third place in editorial excellence and the front page contest for papers with less than 25,000 in circulation, in awards given out by the Inland Press Association. Breeze photographer Michael Pistella also took home two honorable mention recognitions for news and sports photography.

Breeze Publisher Jack Glarrow said he was pleased with the recognitions received by the paper.

“This was a national competition; I think that makes it special in that regard. We competed with community newspapers across the country,” Glarrow said.

A release from IPA on the Editorial Excellence award states The Breeze editorials “offered readers background on issues important to the community, while offering practical and workable solutions and suggestions.”

“Judges felt the paper had a lively, newsy approach to the front page,” the release said of the front page submissions.

The awards also point to the distinguished quality of the newspaper, Glarrow said.

“These were news and photography awards that basically recognize the design and content of our newspaper, and we’re proud of that,” he said.

A focus on community news, quality reporting, and clean design and layout is the key to such recognition.

“We stay true to our mission and our mission is to provide local information. In my mind, that’s what is left of journalism. Community news is the truest form of journalism anywhere,” Glarrow said.

He attributed the awards and overall success of the paper to a collaborative effort on behalf of the various departments.

“Clearly it’s a team effort; everyone has to do their part. Everyone has a part that has to be executed on time and every day,” Glarrow said.

“It’s a do-it-yourself newspaper and that’s what we’ve been recognized for,” he added.