PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors announced winners of the group’s annual writing and photo contests Wednesday.
Cash awards will be presented to the first-place winners at the Pennsylvania Press Conference in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on May 29.
Judges also selected “Best of Show” winners in news and photos across all circulation divisions and a photographer to receive the Paul Vathis Memorial Photography Portfolio Award, in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer from Pennsylvania. Winners of those three prizes will be revealed at the award ceremony.
The entries were judged by editors at AP newspapers in Mississippi and Louisiana.
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CIRCULATION OVER 75,000
WRITING
Blogging
First: Sara Bauknecht, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Stylebook”
Second: Will Bunch, Philadelphia Daily News, “Attytood”
Business Writing
First: David Conti, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “On the grid”
Second: Don Russell, Philadephia Daily News, “A nice Code One”
Column
First: John Baer, Philadephia Daily News, “Wolf’s math doesn’t add up”
Second: Reg Henry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Tale of two loafers to keep you on your toes”
Editorial
First: Tom Ferrick, Philadephia Daily News, “Taney’s deep bench”
Second: Sandra Shea, Philadephia Daily News, “River of promises”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Michael Fuoco, Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “A look at gender ID issues”
Second: Jeff Hawkes, Gil Smart, Susan Baldrige, LNP, Lancaster, “Failing in slow motion”
Public Service by a Newspaper
First: Mike Wereschagin, Adam Smeltz, Carl Prine, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “VA Legionnaire’s Outbreak”
Second: Staff, Philadephia Daily News, “The problems & the promise”
Feature Writing
First: Dana DiFilippo, Philadephia Daily News, “The grin reaper”
Second: Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “A love that keeps growing”
General News Reporting
First: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Franklin Regional High School attacks”
Second: Renatta Signorini, Paul Peirce & Staff, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Franklin Regional High School stabbing coverage”
Investigative Reporting
First: Wendy Ruderman, Barbara Laker, Philadephia Daily News, “Perfect Prey”
Second: Luis Fabregas, Andrew Conte, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Discarded kidneys”
News Use of Video
First: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The attack at Franklin Regional”
Second: Jon Snyder, Philadephia Daily News, “Wanamaker Organ”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Staff, The Patriot-News, Mechanicsburg, “Judge strikes down Pennsylvania’s gay-marriage ban”
Second: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The attack at Franklin Regional”
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Staff, Philadephia Daily News, “The dean”
Second: David Murphy, Marcus Hayes, Philadephia Daily News, “Batted around”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Brady McCollough, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The evolution of Mario Lemieux”
Second: Audrey Snyder, The Patriot-News, “Former Penn State DT Devon Still finds inspiration, hope in daughter’s pediatric cancer battle”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Rob Rossi, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Are you ready for some … priorities”
Second: Sam Donnellon, Philadephia Daily News, “Two of the many lives he touched”
Spot News Reporting
First: Stephanie Farr, Morgan Zalot, David Gambacorta, Barbara Laker, Philadephia Daily News, “Manhunt in Wake of Montco executions”
Second: Vinny Vella, Philadephia Daily News, “Sleigh Bella!”
PHOTOS
Feature Photo
First: Bob Donaldson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Cat claws way to victory”
Second: Bob Donaldson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Harvest Moon”
Personality Portrait
First: Alejandro Alvarez, Philadephia Daily News, “Alt-taxidermy”
Second: Alejandro Alvarez, Philadephia Daily News, “The grin reaper”
Photo Story
First: Julia Rendleman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “In Nepal, a life in limbo”
Second: Barry Reeger, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Miracle Field”
Sports Photo
First: David Swanson, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Mone Davis pitches”
Second: Joe Hermitt, The Patriot-News, “Hackensack”
Spot News Photo
First: Steven M. Falk, Philadephia Daily News, “Exploding anger”
Second: Ed Hille, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “In The Pursuit Of Happiness”
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CIRCULATION 30,000 TO 75,000
Blogging
First: Donnie Collins, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, “Penn State”
Second: Christopher J. Kelly, The Times-Tribune, “Christopher J. Kelly”
Business Writing
First: David Singleton,James Haggerty, The Times-Tribune, “Mall on brink of foreclosure”
Second: Staff ,Charles Schillinger, The Times-Tribune, “Outlook2014: NEPA 2.0”
Column
First: Christopher J. Kelly, The Times-Tribune, “Crime pays for two city felons”
Second: Phil Gianficaro, The Intelligencer, “At West, some are stuck in a haze”
Editorial
First: Alan Kerr, The Intelligencer, Doylestown, “Minimal sentence for 10th DUI”
Second: Scott Fisher, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Good neighbors get involved in community”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Jenny Wagner, Beaver County Times, “Aging in Beaver County”
Second: David Singleton, Terrie Morgan-Besecker, The Times-Tribune, “Who is Eric Matthew Frein?”
Public Service by a Newspaper
First: Ford Turner, Mike Urban, Nicole Brambila, Reading Eagle, “When death means life”
Second: Staff, Observer-Reporter, Washington, “Plugging the Leaks: Marcellus Shale Impoundments”
Feature Writing
First: Mike Argento, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Invisible among us”
Second: Frank Bodani, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “A calling to help”
General News Reporting
First: Staff, Reading Eagle, “Hail impact”
Second: Vince Sullivan, Cindy Scharr, Rose Quinn, Julia Wilkinson, Delaware County Daily Times, Primos, “Tragedy at Fitz”
Investigative Reporting
First: Staff, Bucks County Courier Times, “Hidden World, Hidden Victims”
Second: Erica Erwin, Erie Times-News, “Schools’ tough math”
News Use of Video
First: Kate Penn, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Back to Boston”
Second: Natalie Kolb, Reading Eagle, “Friday Knights”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Staff, The Times-Tribune, “Ambush at PSP-Blooming Grove”
Second: Staff, Bucks County Courier Times, “Turnpike-crash witnesses see flipping cars ’like a movie scene’”
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Rich Scarcella, Liam Migdail-Smith, Jeremy Drey, Reading Eagle, “Sea of PSU fans revels in return to postseason; Lions roar back to beat BC in OT; Highlights & Lowlights”
Second: Matt Goul, Steve Navaroli, Kate Penn, Jessica Sprenkle, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Panthers, Bobcats crowned state’s best; Cats crowned kings on court”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: David Mekeel, Reading Eagle, “Friday Knights”
Second: Frank Bodani, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Striving to be stellar”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Donnie Collins, The Times-Tribune, “Removal of sanctions shows fault of NCAA”
Second: Mike Bires, Beaver County Times, “Lopez didn’t play sports, but he left his mark at Hopewell”
Spot News Reporting
First: Joseph Kohut, David Singleton, Brendan Gibbons, Staff, The Times-Tribune, “Cuffed”
Second: Matt Coughlin, Hayden Mitman, Freda Savana, The Intelligencer, “Hazing “
PHOTOS
Feature Photo
First: Kevin Lorenzi, Beaver County Times, “Winners x2”
Second: Jack Hanrahan, Erie Times-News, “Sister Eases First Day Jitters”
Personality Portrait
First: Chris Dunn, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Volleyball all-stars”
Second: Kevin Lorenzi, Beaver County Times, “Start spreading the news”
Photo Story
First: Chris Dunn, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Forever her child”
Second: Chloe Elmer, Bucks County Courier Times, “Having a Ball”
Sports Photo
First: Jeremy Drey, Reading Eagle, “Johnson, Kulp battle way to titles”
Second: Kate Penn, York Daily Record/York Sunday News, “Lights go down on Eagles’ season”
Spot News Photo
First: Jack Hanrahan, Erie Times-News, “Bullet Just Misses Boy”
Second: Butch Comegys, The Times-Tribune, “Burying Cpl. Dickson”
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CIRCULATION 15,000-30,000
WRITING
Blogging
First: Mark Franklin, The York Dispatch, “Idol Chatter”
Second: Staff, The Citizens’ Voice, “Varsity Voice”
Business Writing
First: David Pierce, Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, “The Pocono Fix-it List”
Second: Mary Grzebieniak, New Castle News, “Jefferson Poultry: Last man standing in a game of chicken”
Column
First: Chris Rosenblum, Centre Daily Times, State College, “Shore of Omaha Beach holds close the story of D-Day”
Second: Diana Lasko, Herald-Standard, Uniontown, “Chosen to be loved”
Editorial
First: Patrick DeLany, The York Dispatch, “No deal in child rape”
Second: Patrick DeLany, The York Dispatch, “How to lose a debate”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Mary Ann Thomas, Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum, “Parks Nuclear Dump”
Second: Elizabeth Regan, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Dope is a lie”
Public Service by a Newspaper
First: Kristina Scala, Daily Local News, West Chester, “Coatesville SD Solicitor Scandal”
Second: Evan Brandt, Nancy March, Michilea Patterson, The Mercury, Pottstown, “Fitness for life”
Feature Writing
First: Mollie Durkin, The York Dispatch, “Tattoo artist’s legacy”
Second: Eric Freehling, Butler Eagle, “Beatlemania, 1964 British Invasion had profound impact on many”
General News Reporting
First: Bob Kalinowski, The Citizens’ Voice, “Kevin’s Law”
Second: Miles Layton, Herald-Standard, “Somebody’s got it in for us; Local shelters not seeing impact; Life after the SPCA; Police now patrol; Freedom ride”
Investigative Reporting
First: David Pierce, Pocono Record, “Stopping the insanity”
Second: Jenna Ebersole, Pocono Record, “Unlocking government information”
News Use of Video
First: Amanda Steen, Herald-Standard, “Drawing strength”
Second: Sam Stewart, The Mercury, “Bekah Slattery-2014 Mercury All-Area Softball Player of the Year”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Bob Kalinowski, James Halpin, The Citizens’ Voice, “Mericle sentencing”
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Chris Masse, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Center of Attention”
Second: Josh Rizzo, Butler Eagle, “Flawless, Moniteau uses dirty uniforms to complete clean, unbeaten run to D-9 softball crown”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: David Burcham, New Castle News, “Comeback kid”
Second: John Walk, The York Dispatch, “A transformation”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Jonathan Bombulie, The Citizens’ Voice, “Best sports things of the year”
Second: Chris Masse, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Give the girl a break”
Spot News Reporting
First: Michael Lester, Press Enterprise, “Landmark lost”
Second: Jim Smith, Butler Eagle, “2 killed on Route 68”
PHOTOS
Feature Photo
First: Keith Haupt, Press Enterprise, “Heavenly Peace”
Second: Andrew Krech, The Citizens’ Voice, “Mush!”
Personality Portrait
First: Melissa Evanko, Pocono Record, “Dwindling clowns leave big shoes to fill”
Second: Mark Nance, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Allie Pagana”
Photo Story
First: Amanda Steen, Herald-Standard, “Saving Sydney”
Second: Roberto M. Esquivel, Herald-Standard, “A sustainable life”
Sports Photo
First: Andrew Krech, The Citizens’ Voice, “Punch”
Second: Jason Bridge, Valley News Dispatch, “Tre-Magnifique”
Spot News Photo
First: Jimmy May, Press Enterprise, “I-80 accident traps pair, dogs”
Second: Jimmy May, Press Enterprise, “Freaky SUV crash”
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CIRCULATION 15,000 AND UNDER
WRITING
Blogging
First: Naomi Creason, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “3 entries”
Second: None selected
Business Writing
First: Joshua Vaughn, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Into the Breach: Hacking hits close to home in the Midstate”
Second: Sean Yoder, The Indiana Gazette, “Dairy farm looks to future”
Column
First: Nancy Sharer, The Daily/Sunday Review, “That was my mother”
Second: Gretchen Balshuweit, The Daily/Sunday Review, “Hunger knows no stereotypes”
Editorial
First: Eric Paddock, Times Observer, Warren, “Our opinion: Accountability. Really?”
Second: Donald R Serfass, Times News, Lehighton, “Funding education”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Staff, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Warehouse growth”
Second: Wendy Stiver, The Express, Lock Haven “SPCA to help cats”
Public Service by a Newspaper
First: Jim Runkle, Lana Muthler, Bill Crowell, The Express, “Heroin Hits Home”
Second: Sam Kusic, The Indiana Gazette, “A Sobering Story: The Disease of Addiction”
Feature Writing
First: Chris Buckley, The Valley Independent, Monessen, “Hewitt brothers look back on father who was Santa”
Second: Daniel Walmer, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “The Appalachian Trail”
General News Reporting
First: Staff, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Warehouse debate”
Second: Donald R. Serfass, Chris Parker, Times News, “Schuylkill soldier killed”
Investigative Reporting
First: Lana Muthler, Lakeshia (Bauman) Knarr, The Express, “Cutting Ties”
Second: Michelle Ganassi, Daily American, Somerset, “Tax would cut into gas royalties”
News Use of Video
First: James Nestor, Sean Yoder, The Indiana Gazette, “Haunts Of Indiana County”
Second: James Nestor, Carly Krouse, The Indiana Gazette, “End Zone Extra Thursday High School Preview Show with Carly Krouse”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Staff, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “South Middleton plane crash”
Second: Staff, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Interstate 81 crash”
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Matthew Burglund, The Indiana Gazette, “Out of this World”
Second: Josh Cotton, Times Observer, “Tragedy and Triumph”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Brian Fees, The Daily/Sunday Review, “A redemption story”
Second: Adam Michael, Gettysburg Times, “Right at home”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Jeff Oliver, The Valley Independent, “Vasquez’s heart matches talent; Would Hulkster last at BV Area?; Ted Stawovy died doing what he loved”
Second: Jeff Fishbein, The Sentinel, Lewistown, “PIAA’s lack of leadership sullies postseason tournaments”
Spot News Reporting
First: Donald R. Serfass, Kathy Kunkel, Times News, “Hunter shoots two teens”
Second: Eric Kieta, Daily American, “Fire ravages home”
PHOTOS
Feature Photo
First: Michael Bupp, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Oktoberfest Opens”
Second: Jamie Empfield, The Indiana Gazette, “Bird’s Eye View”
Personality Portrait
First: James Nestor, The Indiana Gazette, “Smoking Empties”
Second: Tom Peel, The Indiana Gazette, “Dewey Davenport”
Photo Story
First: Bob Ford, Times News, “One ’sweet’ hobby”
Second: Bob Ford, Times News, “The president’s tree”
Sports Photo
First: Teri M. Enciso, The Indiana Gazette, “Leaping into the Playoffs”
Second: Jason Malmont, The Sentinel, Carlisle, “Sweet Victory”
Spot News Photo
First: Bill Crowell, The Express, “Plane Down”
Second: Colin Deppen, The Bradford Era, “St. Marys house destroyed in fire”
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