The OBSERVER in Dunkirk has won two awards by the Associated Press, including top prize in page design.

Over the weekend, the New York State Associated Press Association presented the awards for its 2015 contest, recognizing excellent writing, presentation, photography and graphics in AP member newspapers.

The OBSERVER won first place for full page design for its Wednesday, July 15, 2015 edition for the floods that struck Westfield, Brocton, Silver Creek and Fredonia areas. Publisher John D’Agostino oversaw the page design. Photos taken of the flooding were by Managing Editor Gregory Bacon, and staff writers Greg Fox and Jeremy Izzio. Izzio, Fox, staff writer Samantha McDonnell, and correspondent Ann Belcher all wrote articles for the edition.

This was the first time in more than 15 years, the OBSERVER has won first place in one of the Associated Press categories.

“We are proud of our staff for putting together this edition, but also how the reporting that day was constantly updated on our website and our moble app,” said Bacon. “We are also proud of how well the community came together to help those affected by the flood. Police and volunteer firefighters worked around the clock. Volunteers with the American Red Cross helped out. We live in a special place and it shows in times of crisis.”

Also this year, former Lifestyles Editor Diane Chodan won second place for headline writing for the headline “Centenarian is king for a day, but always a Prince.” Harold Prince celebrated his 100th birthday and wore a crown that day as part of his special day.

Both awards were for newspapers in the Newspaper Division 1, circulation under 15,000.

The OBSERVER most recently received Associated Press honors in 2013, when the newspaper won three second-place awards. One award was for spot news presentation for its Dec. 16 edition, covering Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s visit to Dunkirk to announce the NRG agreement. Greg Fox won for spot news coverage for his report on a fire at the Tri-Church Parish in Brocton. Katie Atkins won for headline writing for the headline “All fired up: Fuse lit between Cannon and Ball,” for a town council race in Arkwright between Chris Cannon and Larry Ball.

Since 2000, the OBSERVER has won 11 Associated Press awards and four New York News Publishers Association Awards.