The Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors announced winners of the group's annual writing and photo contests on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.
Cash awards will be presented to the first-place winners at the PAPME's annual convention in Gettysburg on June 1.
Judges 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 for both prizes will be revealed at the award ceremony.
The entries were judged by editors at AP member newspapers in Colorado.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
CIRCULATION OVER 75,000
WRITING
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Sports Staff, Philadelphia Daily News, “Yeah, Andy, we know”
Second: Staff, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Seven must wait”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: David Jones, The Patriot-News, “This was Little League done right”
Second: Ralph N. Paulk, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “NASCAR’s other race: minority inclusion”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Ashley Fox, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Akers' playoff agony”
Second: John Grupp, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Relief from rule”
Editorial
First: Heather Long, The Patriot-News, “Censored: PA Congressmen send wrong message”
Second: Susan Mannella, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Stupid in any language - In plain English, legislators waste the public's time”
Investigative Reporting
First: Spencer Soper, The Morning Call, “Inside Amazon's warehouse”
Second: David Gambacorta, Philadelphia Daily News, “Police firearms scandal”
Spot News Reporting
First: Staff, The Patriot-News, “Inundated”
Second: Stephanie Farr, Phillip Lucas and Regina Medina, Philadelphia Daily News, “Did Skyler have to die?”
General News Reporting
First: Sara Ganim, Jan Murphy, Jeff Frantz, Charles Thompson, John Luciew, Ivey DeJesus, Donald Gilliland, Bob Flounders and Staff, The Patriot-News, “The Jerry Sandusky-Penn State child sex abuse scandal”
Second: Susan Snyder, John Sullivan, Kristen A. Graham, Dylan Purcell, Jeff Gammage, Martha Woodall and William K. Marimow, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Philadelphia School District”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Sara Ganim, Jan Murphy, Jeff Frantz, Charles Thompson, John Luciew, Ivey DeJesus, Donald Gilliland, Bob Flounders and Staff, The Patriot-News, “The Jerry Sandusky-Penn State child sex abuse scandal”
Second: Bill Toland, Don Hopey, Jonathan Silver, Sean Hamill, Erich Schwartzel, Janice Crompton, Andrea Iglar, Elisabeth Ponsot, Laura Schneiderman, Steve Mellon and Matt Kennedy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Marcellus special section”
Business Writing
First: Bill Toland, Don Hopey, Jonathan Silver, Janice Crompton, Erich Schwartzel, Elisabeth Ponsot, Andrea Iglar, Matt Kennedy, Laura Schneiderman, Steve Mellon and Sean Hamill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Marcellus special section”
Second: Lou Kilzer, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Rare-earth gambit”
Feature Writing
First: April Saul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “A stray bullet”
Second: Dana DiFilippo, Philadelphia Daily News, “Murder memorabilia”
Column
First: Ronnie Polaneczky, Philadelphia Daily News, “After sister's death, an absence of peace”
Second: Pete Mekeel, Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era, “A day stuffed with moments to smile about”
Public Service
First: Sara Ganim, Jan Murphy, Jeff Frantz, Charles Thompson, John Luciew, Ivey DeJesus, Donald Gilliland, Bob Flounders and Staff, The Patriot-News, “The Jerry Sandusky-Penn State child sex abuse scandal”
Second: Kristen A. Graham, Susan Snyder, Dylan Purcell, Jeff Gammage and John Sullivan, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Assault on learning”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Twitter coverage of resentencing of Vince Fumo”
Second: Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The end of Occupy Philadelphia”
Best Blogging
First: Frank Seravalli, Philadelphia Daily News, “Frequent Flyers”
Second: Sheil Kapadia, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Moving the Chains”
PHOTOS
Spot News Photo
First: Lake Fong, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “In a state of upheaval”
Second: Lake Fong, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Remembering Pearl Harbor 70 years on”
Feature Photo
First: Michael S. Wirtz, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Black Mennonites bridge two worlds”
Second: Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Fragile baby”
Sports Photo
First: Matt Freed, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Greensburg Salem's Greg Neuman tags out Elizabeth Forward's Cody Shotwell”
Second: Matt Freed, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “A sixth sense about season”
Personality Portrait
First: Sean Simmers, The Patriot-News, “Jobs - referee”
Second: April Saul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “A stray bullet, a shattered life”
Photo Story
First: Michael Henninger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Being middle class today is a struggle”
Second: April Saul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “A stray bullet, a shattered life”
CIRCULATION 30,001-75,000
WRITING
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Mike Argento, Steve Navaroli, Randy Parker, Frank Bodani and Lauren Boyer, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Bigger than football: PSU family heals”
Second: Derek Levarse, The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader, “The healing begins”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Frank Bodani, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “As he grieves”
Second: Mike McGovern, Reading Eagle, “What price would be paid for slashing athletics”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Donnie Collins, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Knight vision”
Second: Frank Bodani, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Stable career choice”
Editorial
First: Mark Jones, The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader, “Empty promise: A state gas tax”
Second: Jerry Reimenschneider, Reading Eagle, "Paterno had to go"
Investigative Reporting
First: Sean Adkins, Teresa Boeckel, and Bill Landauer, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Are we ready?: Who would be at risk? Nuke siren backup; What happens when plans go wrong”
Second: Sarah Hofius Hall, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Rosetti investigation”
Spot News Reporting
First: Staff, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “September Flooding”
Second: Staff, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Did you feel it?”
General News Reporting
First: Staff, The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader, “Move over Agnes”
Second: Ed Palattella and Lisa Thompson, Erie Times News, “A mystery and its consequences”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Terrie Morgan-Besecker, The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader, “The enemy within; Suit targets care at VA”
Second: Staff, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Outlook 2011”
Business Writing
First: Mike Faher, The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat, “Center still seeing red”
Second: Sean Adkins, Teresa Boeckel and Bill Landauer, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Are we ready?: Who would be at risk; Nuke siren backup; What happens when plans go wrong”
Feature Writing
First: Bill Landauer, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Beyond best friends”
Second: Lauren Boyer, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Boomerang boom”
Column
First: Chris Kelly, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, "Without a paddle?"
Second: Kate Fratti, Bucks County Courier Times, “If only the church would cry”
Public Service
First: Staff, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, "September flooding”
Second: Ed Palattella, Mike Maciag and Chris Sigmund, Erie Times News, "Taxing issue"
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Harry Funk, (Washington) Observer-Reporter, “Police officer slain”
Second: Ted Baird and Chad Sebring, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “The Cordaro/Munchak trial”
Best Blogging
First: Staff, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “YDR Insider”
Second: Joan Concilio, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Only in York County”
PHOTOS
Spot News Photo
First: Michael J. Mullen, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Guilty”
Second: Butch Comegys, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Mark O'Malley”
Feature Photo
First: Butch Comegys, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, “Would-be warriors”
Second: Rick Kintzel, The (Doylestown) Intelligencer, “Life imitating art”
Sports Photo
First: Lauren A. Little, Reading Eagle, “Wild pitch, wild finish ends Bears' season”
Second: John Rucosky, The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat, “Sting of Defeat”
Personality Portrait
First: Jim McNutt, (Washington) Observer-Reporter, “Alzheimer’s cover for Total Health”
Second: Jim McNutt, (Washington) Observer-Reporter, “Concussions taking a toll on athletes of all ages”
Photo Story
First: Jason Plotkin, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Bigger than football (Penn State - Nebraska coverage)”
Second: Aimee Dilger, Don Carey and Pete G. Wilcox, The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader, “Time for shock and tears”
CIRCULATION 15,001-30,000
WRITING
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Jonathan Bombulie, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Checkmate”
Second: Steve Bennett, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “1 to go”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Jake Felix, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Trogele will leave a void with Lady Lions”
Second: Bob Kalinowski, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “An inspiration to many”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Chris Rosenblum, Centre Daily Times, “Rose is best of the bunch: Quiet time rare, but enjoyed, by much-honored Penn State volleyball coach”
Second: Jill Snowdon, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “For love of the game”
Editorial
First: Wanda Murren, The (Hanover) Evening Sun, “Not very neighborly”
Second: Mitchel Olszak, New Castle News, “An officer is lost”
Investigative Reporting
First: Jennifer Carboni and Eric Smith, (West Chester) Daily Local News, “School of intimidation”
Second: Andrew Staub, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “W-B mayor's relatives land city internships”
Spot News Reporting
First: Bob Kalinowski, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Fire sweeps through Kingston home”
Second: Staff, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Rising fears”
General News Reporting
First: Staff, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “The flood of 2011”
Second: Staff, Centre Daily Times, “Ongoing coverage of Jerry Sandusky”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Ed Mahon, Centre Daily Times, “Charter schools: Making the grade?”
Second: Howard Frank, Andrew Scott and Christopher Mele, Pocono Record, “Dangerous drivers: Why are they still on the road?”
Business Writing
First: Tim Stonesifer, The (Hanover) Evening Sun, “A corner store remembers”
Second: Denise Allabaugh, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Green energy, cluttered horizon”
Feature Writing
First: Chris Rosenblum, Centre Daily Times, “Rambling man: Nature lover's life full of peaks, valleys”
Second: Tim Prudente, The (Hanover) Evening Sun, “Bricks, mortar and obligations”
Column
First: Gordon Glantz, The (Norristown) Times Herald, “May Day - A time for clarity”
Second: Tom Kelly IV, (West Chester) Daily Local News, “No photos, but still gratifying for a photojournalist”
Public Service
First: Fran Maye, (West Chester) Daily Local News, “Living on the edge”
Second: Andrew Staub and Dave Janoski, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Nepotism in city government”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Staff, Centre Daily Times, “Live Twitter coverage of today's preliminary hearing”
Second: Staff, The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, “Flood of the century”
Best Blogging
First: Mike Sadowski, Pocono Record, “PopRox”
Second: Teresa Hoover, John Simcoe and Lori Goodlin, The York Dispatch, “Yard Sale Secrets”
PHOTOS
Spot News Photo
First: William B. Hughes, (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise, “Woman slain”
Second: Keith Haupt, (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise, “Boater drowns at dam”
Feature Photo
First: Bill Kalina, The York Dispatch, “Practice makes perfect”
Second: Brett Berwager, The (Hanover) Evening Sun, “High-flying fun”
Sports Photo
First: Bill Kalina, The York Dispatch, “Irish drive ends”
Second: Christopher Weddle, Centre Daily Times, “Softball celebrations”
Personality Portrait
First: Jimmy May, (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise, “Pooch on peanut patrol”
Second: Nabil K. Mark, Centre Daily Times, “Rose is best of the bunch”
Photo Story
First: Jimmy May, (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise, “Lee flooding”
Second: Erica Galvin, New Castle News, “Final goodbye”
CIRCULATION 15,000 AND UNDER
WRITING
Sports Deadline Reporting
First: Matthew Burglund, The Indiana Gazette, “Class acts: IHS seniors play home finale”
Second: Josh Martin, Gettysburg Times, “Gone in 60 seconds”
Sports/Outdoors Column
First: Rick Kazmer and Bruce Siwy, (Somerset) Daily American, “Should Sunday hunting be avoided in Pennsylvania?”
Second: Matthew Burglund, The Indiana Gazette, “Unenthused Adams isn't being truthful”
Sports Feature Reporting
First: Adam Michael, Gettysburg Times, “Mastering manhood”
Second: Matthew Burglund, The Indiana Gazette, “Out from the shadow: IUP's Curt Cignetti might look and sound like his legendary father, but he is very much his own man”
Editorial
First: John Hilton, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “You get what you vote for”
Second: Staff, The Indiana Gazette , “Broken D.C. needs to fix more than debt”
Investigative Reporting
First: Elizabeth Regan, The (Lock Haven) Express, “Evicted”
Second: Micaiah Wise Bilger, The (Lewistown) Sentinel, “All dried up? Federal cuts could wash out local flood forecast system”
Spot News Reporting
First: Chauncey Ross, The Indiana Gazette, “Copter crash hurts 4”
Second: Conor O'Brien, Buffie Boyer, Jane Cannon Mort and Tabitha Goodling, The (Lewistown) Sentinel, “Juniata county tornado”
General News Reporting
First: Micaiah Wise Bilger, Joe Cannon and Ashlie Crosson, The (Lewistown) Sentinel, “Mifflin County school merger”
Second: Chauncey Ross, The Indiana Gazette, “Copter crash hurts 4”
Enterprise Reporting
First: Diana Paddock, (Warren) Times Observer, “A disturbing problem in Warren County”
Second: Mark Walters, Gettysburg Times, “Bills threaten majority of available apple pickers”
Business Writing
First: Michelle Ganassi, (Somerset) Daily American, “Fleetwood is closed "
Second: Jeff Pikulsky, Chris Buckley, The (Monessen) Valley Independent, “Continuing pride-valley survivors”
Feature Writing
First: Nancy Sharer, The (Towanda) Daily Review, “Springfield farmer one of many selling out”
Second: Karen Cimms and Amy Miller, (Lehighton) Times News, “Down syndrome: a family's journey”
Column
First: Roger Vogel, (Somerset) Daily American, “The genesis of a rumor”
Second: Matthew Ciccocioppo, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Marysville man recovers from motorcycle accident”
Public Service
First: Diana Paddock and Ben Klein, (Warren) Times Observer, “Living and dying with a silent killer”
Second: Donald R. Serfass, (Lehighton) Times News, “Rare blood disease hits local area”
Online Coverage of Breaking News
First: Becca Gregg, Lauren McLane, John Hilton, April Trotter, Andy Sandrik, Matt McLaughlin and Jason Malmont, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Tornado hits Cumberland County (May 26, 2011)”
Second: Rob Jacobs, Naomi Creason, Jeff Pratt and Joseph Cress, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Earthquake Aug. 22, 2011”
Best Blogging
First: April Trotter, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Out & About”
Second: Larissa Newton, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Midstate Menu”
PHOTOS
Spot News Photo
First: Darryl Wheeler, Gettysburg Times, “Hot”
Second: Eric Hrin, The (Towanda) Daily Review, “Fire damages business”
Feature Photo
First: Jason Malmont, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Life skills prom”
Second: Bill Crowell, The (Lock Haven) Express, “Beating the heat”
Sports Photo
First: Jon Sitler, (Warren) Times Observer, “A team united”
Second: Nate Wilson, The (Lock Haven) Express, “Bowing out”
Personality Portrait
First: Michael Bupp, The (Carlisle) Sentinel, “Life skills student on the job”
Second: Evan R. Sanders, The (Connellsville) Daily Courier, “Police: 4-year-old beaten to death”
Photo Story
First: Bob Ford, (Lehighton) Times News, “Down syndrome: a family's journey”
Second: Buffie Boyer, The (Lewistown) Sentinel, “Indian traditions unveiled”