The Sunday Telegraph has been awarded top honors by the New England Newspaper and Press Association as the Sunday Newspaper of the Year for its circulation size.

The Telegraph was also named a Distinguished Newspaper at the NENPA annual conference last week.

In addition, The Telegraph was the only newspaper in New England to win two special journalism awards called “Publick Occurrences” that recognize excellence in journalism.

A total of 12 Publick Occurence awards were given out this year to daily newspapers regardless of circulation size.

The Telegraph received the awards for its series on the growing prescription pill problem in New Hampshire, called Addiction Epidemic, and its series on the rising cost of college called Degrees of Debt.

The Addiction Epidemic series was spearheaded by longtime Telegraph reporter Joseph Cote.

What the judges said:

“An in-depth examination of a stealth community problem. Well presented in its layout. Varied content that ranges from the history of prescription drug use, to its abuse, to modern-day solutions. Graphics had impact. The personal stories, statistics, interviews and charts were excellent. Also, good use of related stories online.”

The “Degrees of Debt” series was compiled by former Telegraph reporters Cameron Kittle and Danielle Curtis.

What the judges said:

“Strong, helpful, local coverage – strong on figures, facts and faces, plus a community forum with college officials and students tops it off. Nice touch listing Telegraph staffers and debt. This is a resource – well done.”

The award was established in 1990 to recognize individual and team merit at New England newspapers to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of Publick Occurrences, the first newspaper published in America. Four days after it appeared in Boston in 1690, Publick Occurrences was suppressed by the royal governor.