A Times News editor will be honored by the Philadelphia Press Association for winning three awards in its "Best of the Best" media competition.

Donald R. Serfass, Tamaqua, who serves as the Times News' features and human-interest managing editor, captured three PPA awards, including taking top honors in column writing and business writing.PPA judges of the Philadelphia metro, Delaware and N.J. region announced Saturday that first place in column writing will be awarded to Serfass for "Guns Are Not to Blame," a May 18, 2013 "Under my hat" column that argued in support of the right to bear arms. Second place was awarded to the Philadelphia Daily News.In addition, Serfass also will receive first place in business coverage for a 2013 three-part investigation called "Death of an Industry Giant," which explored the rise and fall of Tamaqua's J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills and the resulting impact on the community. Second place went to the Delco News Network.Serfass also will receive an honorable mention for "The Flu Can Be Fatal," a story that looked at the passing of a Tamaqua Area High School freshman due to the effects of influenza.Judges selected the top stories by comparing them against other nominated work among newspapers in the metro region.The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held June 8 in Haddon Heights, N.J.