News-Gazette publications win slew of awards
CHAMPAIGN – The News-Gazette and News-Gazette Community Newspapers received several awards in recent journalism competitions.
The News-Gazette received 17 awards in the large daily newspaper division of the Illinois Press Association contest, including four first-place awards. The newspaper also received nine awards in the Illinois Associated Press Editors' Association contest, including three first-place awards in news and three first-place awards in photo.
News-Gazette Community Newspapers took home 21 awards in the Illinois Press Association contest, with staff members at six of the newspapers claiming prizes in their circulation divisions.
The prizes were awarded at the two associations' annual meeting Thursday and Friday in Springfield.
In the Illinois Press Association's "Newspapers in Excellence" contest, first-place awards went to: Tom Kacich, for editorial page; Jim Rossow and the sports staff, for sports section; Frank Pieper, for arts/entertainment section; and Greta Weiderman, for special section ("At Home in Central Illinois").
Second-place awards went to: Christine des Garennes, for government beat reporting; Dan Corkery and the features staff, for lifestyle section; and Jean McDonald, Carol Lombardi, Rich Lawson, Dick Detzner, Tony Mancuso, Amy Reiter and Erin Lippitz, for best Web project ("Harry Potter").
Third-place awards were given to: The News-Gazette staff, for general excellence; Rebecca Mabry, for feature writing; Robert K. O'Daniell, for personality portrait photo; Mike Howie and staff, for special section ("The Answer Book"); and Mike Howie and staff, for most innovative project (in-depth projects with University of Illinois reporting class).
Fourth-place awards were given to: Bob Asmussen, for sports news; Christine des Garennes, for feature writing; Joel Leizer, for reviews; staff, for newspaper design; and Jean McDonald, Jim Rossow and the sports staff, for best Web project (Rose Bowl coverage).
In the Illinois Associated Press Editors' Association's editorial excellence contest, first-place awards went to: Bob Asmussen, for sports news; Paul Klee, for sports features; and Tim Mitchell, Jodi Heckel, Don Dodson, Pat Phillips and Amy Reiter, for business news.
Mike Monson received a second-place award for public service reporting; Jim Dey, third place for columns; and Jeff Huth, third place for sports news.
In the Illinois Associated Press Editors' Association's photo excellence contest, Heather Coit received first place for features; Robin Scholz, first place for portrait-personality, and John Dixon, first place for sports action.
Six newspapers in the News-Gazette Community Newspapers group took prizes in the Illinois Press Association contest. The papers and their respective winners and categories included:
Tuscola Review – Meg Thilmony, news reporting, single story; Lucas Deal, sports news and sports section; Tim Mitchell, reviews; and Daniel Williams, photo series, feature photo and personality portrait.
Mahomet Citizen – Garrett Halm, sports photo and feature photo; Cailin Bundrick, newspaper design and community service; Frank Dutton, editorial cartoon; and Stacy LeFeber, sports section.
The Leader – Tom Rund-Scott and staff, special section and most innovative project.
The County Star – Christine Walsh, newspaper design and headline writing.
Rantoul Press – Dave Hinton, news reporting, single story.
Paxton Record – Will Brumleve, news reporting, series, and two awards for informational graphic.
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- Former judge, UI basketball star Fred Green dies at 84
- Danville girl makes vow to set standard for baby
- Officials mull future of Urban League of Champaign County
- Some teens choosing abstinence after Provena program
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- Obituaries