The Gazette of Politics and Business special report, “A New Maryland,” received a first-place award in its circulation category and a Best of Show award in the 2011 editorial contest of the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association.

The weekly newspaper had five other top awards in its circulation-size categories in the annual contest. Winners were announced April 20 at a lunch near Baltimore.

Staff Writer C. Benjamin Ford’s story on problems with the state’s child support system placed first in the state government coverage category. Andrew Ujifusa, who wrote on “shovel ready” project spending in Maryland, and its accompanying front-page design, won first-place certificates for public-service reporting and front-page design, by William P. Sears II.

Sears also won first-place for informational graphic for “Alien Invaders,” a story package on bugs, mammals and plants.

The headline on a story about colorful phrasing on Maryland vanity license plates, “Bumper Sticklers,” penned by Glen C. Cullen, the Gazette’s senior editor for copy and design, won first in the best headline category.

Judges said the “A New Maryland” coverage, in the special section category, was “a first-rate section” with “thoughtful stories, impressive art, an excellent effort that informs and motivates readers.” The section examined challenges ahead for Maryland’s economy and offered opinions on paths to success.

The Gaithersburg-based Gazette group, which also publishes community weeklies in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Carroll and Fairfax (Va.) counties, received more than a dozen other awards for community news and sports coverage.

The company’s website, Gazette.Net, received first place for “general website excellence” and four website reports were honored in interactive and multimedia storytelling categories.

The Gazette is a division of Post-Newsweek Media Inc. The company’s Southern Maryland Newspapers group won 14 awards in the trade association’s contest, including a second place in state government coverage, for Staff Writer Jeff Newman’s report, “Redistricting 101.”