Winners announced for 2019 Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards

Winners of the 2019 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards were announced Saturday. The virtual event was broadcast by video conference because COVID-19 cancelled the usual gathering of broadcast journalists at The Greenbrier Resort.

Thirty-five stations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 535 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2019.

Jack Garrett, news director of WBTM-AM/WAKG-FM in Danville, Va., was honored with The Associated Press Robert Gallimore Distinguished Service Award for a career that spans four decades.

The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award was given to television photographer Grover Tadlock of WSAZ-TV in Charleston, W.Va. A former Marshall University graduate, Tadlock began his career in 1985.

The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative that represents thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations across the United States.

Winners in the 2019 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest:

TVI/LARGE MARKET:

Best Spot News: First, Mark Kurtz, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Virginia Beach Mass Shooting”; Second, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Henrico Active Shooter Hoax.”

Best Continuing News: First, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Capitol in Crisis”; Second, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Missing Marine Manhunt.”

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, John Appicello, Eric Johnson and Brooke Leonard, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Janet Roach and Stephen Wozny, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Looking for Happiness”; Second, Jennifer Abney, Rob Macko and Steven Shaw, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Veterans Voices.”

Best Light Feature: First, Jason Marks, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Captain Dan”; Second, Taylor Eaton, WSAZ-TV, Charleston, WV, “Endless Fuel.”

Best Serious Feature: First, John Carlin and Paul Eldert, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Project Ezekiel”; Second, Leslie Rubin, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Where is Hoover?”

Best Sports Feature: First, Nathan Epstein, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Balluzzo’s Bounty, Bryce’s Battle.”

Best Video Journalist/One Man Band: First, Leanna Scachetti, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA; Second, Karina Bolster, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “The Legacy They Leave Behind”

Best Reporter: First, Brent Solomon, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Diane Walker, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best Specialty Reporting: First, Tim Saunders, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Transportation”; Second, Dan Kennedy and Nehemiah Bell, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “In Session.”

Best Spot News Photography: First, Brandon Graves and Adriana De Alba, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Colors in a Hurricane”; Second, Brion Humphrey, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Triple Homicide.”

Best Feature Photography: First, Stephen Wozny and Janet Roach, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “400 Years Later”; Second, Danner Evans and Tony Day, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Reel Danger?”

Best Multimedia/Online Journalism: First, Karina Bolster, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Driver Dies in Double Tractor-Trailer Crash”; Second, Leanna Scachetti and Ben Riquelmy, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “The Final Salute: Honoring the Heroes of D-Day.”

Best Investigative Reporting: First, Evan Watson and Stephen Wozny, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Out of Service”; Second, Siobhan McGirl, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “We Can’t Get Anybody to Call Us Back - Tracking a Governor’s Tax Debt.”

Best Website: First, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV; Second, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV.

Best News Promo: First, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Missing Marine Proof of Performance”; Second, Erik Candiani and Rob Edmonds, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Pet Burials.”

Best Station Promo: First, Erik Candiani and Terrell Thompson, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Forecast of Fear”; Second, Joany D’Agostino and Jesse Stevens, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Experience Is Earned (One Storm at a Time).”

Best Newscast: First, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Prince George Deadly Bus Crash”; Second, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA.

Best Weathercast: First, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA; Second, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “First Alert Weather.”

Best Weathercaster: First, Spencer Adkins, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV; Second, Brandon Butcher, WSAZ-TV, Charleston, WV.

Best TV News Anchor: First, Jean Jadhon, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA; Second, Mark Spain, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA.

Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Scott Cash, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA; Second, Dennis Carter, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA.

Best Producer: First, Colten Weekley, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Kyle Gibson, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best Team News Coverage: First, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Michael Brown Manhunt”; Second, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Deadly Prince George Bus Crash.”

Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Joe Dashiell, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Letters to Neil Armstrong”; Second, Noreen Turyn and Tony Day, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Green Book.”

Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Brad Rice, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Traveling West Virginia.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Jenna Zibton and Howard Swank, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “30 Days of Hope”; Second, Chad Hedrick, WSAZ-TV, Charleston, WV, “AED Awareness.”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Frank Jones, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA.

TVII/SMALL MARKET:

Best Spot News: First, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Dale Junior Plane Crash”; Second, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Bus Crash Closes I-64.”

Best Continuing News: First, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Remembering Sgt. Hinkle”; Second, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Harrisonburg Apartment Fire.”

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Damon Dillman, Preston Willett and Danielle Stein, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, TJ Eck and Alex Flum, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Sharon Gregory and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Out of the Darkness”; Second, Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Hurricane Camille: A Look Back 50 Years After the Destruction.”

Best Light Feature: First, Matt Talhelm, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Paul Koors Band”; Second, Matt Talhelm and Sam King, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “The Hills Are Alive at Wintergreen.”

Best Serious Feature: First, Matt Talhelm and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Catholic Church Integration Impacts Linger in Charlottesville”; Second, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Dalton Harper.”

Best Sports Feature: First, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Kaimyn Anderson”; Second, Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Saving Lonesome Pine.”

Best Video Journalist/One Man Band: First, John Hood, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Darnell Myrick, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Reporter: First, Josh Croup, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV; Second, Carly Kempler, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Deficient Bridges.”

Best Specialty Reporting: First, Josh Croup, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, “Tasty Tuesday”; Second, Scott Sincoff, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, “Weather’s Impacts on Growing Hay and Hemp in the Mountain State.”

Best Spot News Photography: First, Lottye Lockhart, Patrick Huddleston and Sam King, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Small Plane Crashes in Albemarle County.”

Best Feature Photography: First, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Jim Cook”; Second, Regina Gonzalez and Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Making a Marine.”

Best Investigative Reporting: First, Henry Graff, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Police Body Camera Hidden Costs”; Second, Henry Graff, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “FOIA: Locality Spending.”

Best Website: First, Doug Fritz, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Postcards Home”; Second, John Lynch and Kenny Jackson, WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV.

Best News Promo: First, Sam King and Scott Hamler, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “NCAA Coverage POP”; Second, Bryan Seay, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “World Scout Jamboree.”

Best Station Promo: First, Scott Hamler, David Foky and Sam King, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Out of the Darkness”; Second, Jared Morrison, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV.

Best Newscast: First, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Jade Burks, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV.

Best Weathercast: First, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Chris Holtzman and Mackenzie Lee, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Weathercaster: First, Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Josh Fitzpatrick, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best TV News Anchor: First, Riley Phillips, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV; Second, Kasey Hott, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Damon Dillman, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA.

Best Producer: First, Valerie Sullivan, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “World Scout Jamboree”; Second, Amanda Williams, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Team News Coverage: First, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Special Session on Gun Laws”; Second, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “World Scout Jamboree.”

Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Matt Talhelm and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Catholic Church Integration Impacts Linger in Charlottesville”; Second, DJ McNamee, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Crab Orchard Museum July 4th Celebration.”

Best Mountain State Heritage: First, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Southern West Virginia”; Second, Anna Saunders, WOAY-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Oak Hill, WV, “Beckley Barber Hangs up the Clippers After 53 Years.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Sharon Gregory and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Out of the Darkness.”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV; Second, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA.

RADIO I/METRO:

Best Spot News: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “A Life Sentence for Fields, and His Victims”; Second, Matt Demlein, Andy Doernen and Deanna Malone, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA, “Bus Crash.”

Best Continuing News: First, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “The Week That Shook Virginia”; Second, Whittney Evans and Yasmine Jumaa, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Evictions Cause Alarm at Richmond Public Housing Communities.”

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Greg Roberts and Randy Leftwich, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Jenny Glick, WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “Starving for Perfection”; Second, Mallory Noe-Payne, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Arming Teachers.”

Best Light Feature: First, Gina Gambony, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Naro Expanded Video to Close, but Seeks Extended Life for the Collection”; Second, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Yak! It’s What’s for Dinner.”

Best Serious Feature: First, Robbie Harris, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Mussels in Trouble”; Second, Liz McCormick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Unseen Impacts of Opioid Epidemic: More Autopsies, Staff Shortages and Transporting the Dead.”

Best Sports Feature: First, Ian Stewart, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “In Central Virginia, Groups Tackle Swimming Disparities That Stem From Segregation”; Second, Yasmine Jumaa, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “After School Program Pushes Richmond Youth to Conquer Their Fears Through Skateboarding.”

Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Nick Verzolini, Andrew Rogers and Wesley Steele, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Marshall Men’s Basketball vs. Green Bay CIT Championship”; Second, Andrew Rogers, Nick Verzolini and Savanah Matney, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Marshall Football vs. VMI.”

Best Reporter: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Robbie Harris, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.

Best Editorial or Editorial Series: First, Chris Core, WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “Core Values.”

Best Specialty Reporting: First, J.J. Green, WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “The Fog of Espionage”; Second, Caitlin Tan, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Arts and Culture Reporting.”

Best Multimedia/Online Journalism: First, Megan Cloherty, WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “The Dance of Life”; Second, Brittany Patterson, Larry Dowling and Chuck Kleine, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Mountain State Mead Makers Provide a Taste of Appalachia.”

Best Investigative Reporting: First, Brittany Patterson and Alexandra Kanik, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Mine Safety Debt for West Virginia Governor Justice’s Family Companies Grows to $4 Million”; Second, Ben Paviour and Roberto Roldan, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “VCU President’s Pro-Coliseum Op-Ed Ghostwritten by Developer.”

Best Website: First, WTOP-FM, Washington, DC; Second, Chad Matlick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.

Best Station Promo: First, Tyler Kennett, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Sports Flavor Parlor Promo”; Second, Zane Bowles, David Adkins and Wesley Steele, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Cult Promo.”

Best Newscast: First, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Deanna Malone, Matt Demlein and Ashley Stokes, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.

Best Radio Sports Anchor: First, Gary Hess, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.

Best Team News Coverage: First, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Making New Histories: Rumors of War Sculpture Unveiled in Richmond.”

Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Ben Paviour, Peter Solomon and Yasmine Jumaa, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Virginia’s Country Music Roots”; Second, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Hurricane Camille 50th Anniversary.”

Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Caitlin Tan, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The West Virginia Monster That Crept Into International Pop Culture”; Second, Caitlin Tan, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “How to Bake Bread Like Appalachia’s Ancestors.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Where We Live: Affordable Housing, Evictions and the History of Housing Policy”; Second, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “A Prescription to Save Rural Hospitals.”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV.

RADIO II/NON-METRO:

Best Spot News: First, Jay Hart and Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “UVa Basketball National Championship”; Second, Jack Garrett, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “Straight Line Winds.”

Best Continuing News: First, Jack Garrett, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “Keeling Triple Homicide”; Second, Dori Zook, Chris Callahan and Jay Hart , WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Fall Statue Vandalism Spree in Charlottesville.”

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Austin Bunn, Brandon Burnette and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA; Second, Christian Weaner, WQLU-FM, Lynchburg, VA.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Nine Ways Hackers Will Use Your Personal Information”; Second, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Challenges of Affordable Housing.”

Best Light Feature: First, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “GWHS Wins State Title”; Second, Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Keeping UVa’s Good Ole Song Good.”

Best Serious Feature: First, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Be Aware of Spotted Lanternfly”; Second, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “Casino.”

Best Sports Feature: First, Randy Woodward, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Sports Dogs 2.0″; Second, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “eSports at Shenandoah University.”

Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Austin Bunn, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “GW Eagle Football”; Second, Mike O’Dell and Dick Helm, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Shenandoah University Basketball.”

Best Reporter: First, Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Unite the Right - Two Years After”; Second, Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.

Best Specialty Reporting: First, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Real Estate Matters - The Center.”

Best Investigative Reporting: First, Rob Schilling, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Hammerheads: Unreported Monument Destruction in Charlottesville.”

Best Website: First, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA.

Best News Promo: First, Jon Talbott, Josh Lineberry and Ginyah Woodson, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “I Believe.”

Best Station Promo: First, Jon Talbott, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “You Can Have It All.”

Best Newscast: First, Karl Magenhofer and Mario Retrosi, WSVA-AM, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “Changes in General Assembly.”

Best Radio News Anchor: First, Karl Magenhofer, WSVA-AM, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Macy Hncir, WQLU-FM, Lynchburg, VA.

Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Les Sinclair, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “400 Years of Representative Government in Virginia”; Second, Rob Schilling, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Setting the Jefferson Record Straight.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Karl Magenhofer, WSVA-AM, Harrisonburg, VA, “Beyond the Sound Bite”; Second, Les Sinclair, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Live Well Radio - Aging.”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, Jay Hart, Dori Zook and Chris Callahan, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Jack Garrett, Kathryn Davis and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.