Suburban Life Publications — whose newspapers and Web sites serve communities in DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will and McHenry counties — has received 18 awards at this year's Illinois Press Association Excellence in News Contest.

The group's St. Charles Republican newspaper placed second in the General Excellence category, and its Wheaton Leader newspaper was third. Meanwhile, the sports section of the Lombard Spectator was named best in its division. Overall, five entries from Suburban Life earned first-place awards.

Here's a complete list of the winners:

DIVISION C (nondaily newspapers with more than 10,000 circulation)

General Excellence
Second: St. Charles Republican
Third: Wheaton Leader

Best Sports Section
First: Lombard Spectator
Third: Downers Grove Reporter
Honorable mention: St. Charles Republican

Best Web Project
First: The Search for Stacy Peterson blog (reporter Danya Hooker)

Community Service
First: Your government, Your right to know (editor Carlene Peterson)

Headline Writing
First: Copy editor Michelle Gonzalez

Enterprise/Feature Writing
First: Death penalty in limbo (reporter Jessica Young)

Business Reporting
Third: Just browsing (reporter Jessica Young)

Personality Portrait
Second: Staff photographer Erica Benson
Third: Photo editor John Cox
Honorable mention: Assistant photo editor Mark Busch

Spot News Photo
Second: Assistant photo editor Mark Busch

DIVISION B (nondaily newspapers with circulation between 5,000 and 10,000)

Enterprise/Feature Writing
Honorable mention: Uncommon bonds: Families of missing people (reporter Danya Hooker)

News Reporting-Series
Honorable mention: Berwyn Spindle (reporter Cari Brokamp)

Business Reporting
Honorable mention: Cermak redevelopment (reporter Cari Brokamp)

DIVISION A (nondaily newspapers with circulation less than 5,000)

News Reporting-Single Story
Second: Family torn apart over sex allegations (staff)