Go to Paul Hansell award
Go to Division A awards
(daily circ. >125k)
Go to Division B awards
(daily circ. 40k–125k)
Go to Division C awards
(daily circ. <40k)
Go to Spanish-language awards
FSNE 2010 Journalism Awards
June 18, 2010
Dear Florida journalists:
FSNE is honored to salute this year's contest winners. The entries demonstrate a great year for journalism in the state. The judges were unanimous in their praise for your work and for the exceptional level of journalism produced by Florida news organizations.
We are particularly pleased with the strength of the entries this year in view of dramatic changes and cutbacks in the industry. Watchdog journalism, the highest ideal of our profession, remains strong at newspapers across each circulation division and in the Spanish-language division. The competition in all categories of the contest remains fierce, reflecting the dedication our members bring to their papers every day in the drive for readers.
Congratulations to all our winners.
Contest chair:
Cory Lancaster,
Daytona Beach News-Journal
FSNE President:
Rick Hirsch,
The Miami Herald
Below is the list of award winners in the 2010 Florida Society of News Editors' Journalism Competition.
The awards were presented Friday, June 18, at the
annual FSNE/FPA convention in Sarasota.
Go to Division A awards
Go to Division B awards
Go to Division C awards
Go to Spanish-language awards
The Paul Hansell Award
for Distinguished Achievement in Florida Journalism:
The Paul Hansell Award
Donna Koehn
The Tampa Tribune
Donna Koehn writes and reports engagingly on a wide range of topics, but one theme runs through all her work – respect, empathy and appreciation for people of all kinds. That doesn't just make her stories interesting – it rewards her readers.
Go to Paul Hansell award
Go to Division B awards
Go to Division C awards
Go to Spanish-language awards
Division A
Newspapers with daily circulation of 125,000 or more:
FSNE Gold Medal for Public Service
Joe Childs, Thomas Tobin
St. Petersburg Times
Inside Scientology
The St. Petersburg Times reporting on the Church of Scientology is in the finest traditions of American journalism. The reporting by Joseph Childs and Thomas Tobin stands out for the ways in which it held accountable the powerful.
1. Daily Deadline
Staff
Orlando Sentinel
Downtown Rampage
A terrific example of how to throw reporting muscle at a big breaking story to provide up-to-the minute web coverage and a next-day print package that is gripping and thorough. The main tick-tock was full of detail and eyewitness accounts. It’s artful crafting set the tone for this energetic and meaty package.
Second Place
Staff
Sun Sentinel
Scott Rothstein's Ponzi Scheme
Third Place
Staff
Palm Beach Post
Deadly Crossing
2. Features & Arts Writing
Bridget Murphy
Florida Times-Union
The Fix
Murphy’s narratives chronicling the tragic life of drug user and shooting victim Vickie Green were spare and powerful.
Second Place
Matt Soergel
Florida Times-Union
Profiles
Third Place
Sean Daly
St. Petersburg Times
A collection
3. Investigative Reporting
Joe Childs, Thomas Tobin
St. Petersburg Times
Inside Scientology
This was investigative journalism at the highest level of execution and quality, documented with on-the-record interviews that took readers inside a hidden world.
Second Place
Staff
Sun Sentinel
Trust Betrayed
Third Place
Scott Hiaasen
Miami Herald
Pill Mills
4. Explanatory Reporting
Matt Galnor
Florida Times-Union
Shots Fired
a thorough, comprehensive and in-depth examination of police-related shootings in Jacksonville, an issue that has had a huge impact on the African American community there. We liked the effective use of graphics and the inclusion of voices from diverse experiences.
Second Place
Erika Hobbs
Orlando Sentinel
School Desegregation
Third Place
Rita Farlow, Michael Moscardini
St. Petersburg Times
The Golden Hour
5. Beat Reporting
Matt Sedensky
Associated Press
The Aging Beat
Sedensky does a great job finding stories that matter. His clips show a reporter who can simplify important and complex issues by putting a human face on them and focusing on the impact of policies and practices on average people.
Second Place
Kevin Spear
Orlando Sentinel
Environmental Reporting
Third Place
Matt Galnor
Florida Times-Union
City Hall coverage
6. Sports
Carlos Frias
Palm Beach Post
Collection
The “Tebow as Superman” story sets Carlos Frias apart from the rest. He takes the end of the game, which anyone saw or could have seen, and, and with disciplined observation and a sharp eye for detail and movement, he transforms Tebow's experience into something powerful.
Second Place
Antonya English
St. Petersburg Times
Collection
Third Place
Jeremy Fowler
Orlando Sentinel
Florida Gators coverage
7. Business
Jim Stratton
Orlando Sentinel
Reporting on the Economy
A first-rate beat reporter adapts to changing times, and Stratton’s coverage did so at a moment when readers needed it most.
Second Place
Kris Hundley
St. Petersburg Times
Collection
Third Place
Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
Disney Monorail Crash
8. Columns
Howard Troxler
St. Petersburg Times
Collection
Troxler’s columns are sharp and colorful and always a joy to read. The pieces are well thought out and persuasive. While remaining intellectually honest, he’s always willing to state his position and take a side. He doesn’t pull punches.
Second Place
Dave Hyde
Sun Sentinel
Collection
Third Place
Greg Stoda
Palm Beach Post
Sports columns
9. Headlines
Mark Wood
St. Petersburg Times
Collection
Wood's headlines are smart, clever, creative, but never out of control or over the top. We loved the use of the asterisk with Gene Weingarten’s column.
Second Place
Dan Wine
Orlando Sentinel
Collection
Third Place
Catie Fry
Florida Times-Union
Collection
10. Editorials
Joni James
St. Petersburg Times
Florida Legislature
Joni James’ editorials for the St. Petersburg Times on state government are a model of the form: Thoughtful, substantive and prescient.
Second Place
Joe Adams
Florida Times-Union
The Lost City
Third Place
Tim Nickens
St. Petersburg Times
Ray Sansom
11. Page One Design
Staff
St. Petersburg Times
Collection
The variety of approaches to these pages shows how versatile this designer is. From the poster front (Obama inauguration) to the illustrative front page packed with info ("Greetings from Florida"), there are a range of design solutions to different types of content challenges. Overall, the pages are clean, well-organized and easy to navigate.
Second Place
Staff
Florida Times-Union
Collection
Third Place
Staff
Orlando Sentinel
Collection
12. Feature Page Design
Suzette Moyer
St. Petersburg Times
Hot and Cool
Great combination of a powerful photograph and strong, yet restrained, typography. Clearly the best of a strong category.
Second Place
Jenna Lehtola
Palm Beach Post
Dining Out with a Twist
Third Place
Holly Braford
St. Petersburg Times
2000-2009
13. Sports Page Design
Paul Cheung and Zach Folzenlogen
Miami Herald
Sony Ericsson
Beautiful and effective use of navigational color and knockouts to boldly illustrate an important local event. Typography is just right with powerful images and color. Stellar organization.
Second Place
Zach Folzenlogen
Miami Herald
The Dolphater
Third Place
Nick Masuda
Orlando Sentinel
Minute by Minute
14. Editorial Cartoon
Chan Lowe
Sun Sentinel
Which is the Gay one?
The first place winner in this category made us stop and think about Don't Ask, Don't Tell by combining multiple news themes as it shows a side of the issue we haven't really heard or seen before.
Second Place
Dana Summers
Orlando Sentinel
Tiger Woods
Third Place
Dana Summers
Orlando Sentinel
Nobel Prize
15. News Graphics/Illustrations
Brennan King
Palm Beach Post
Get Your Bubbly On
Exquisite illustration is light-hearted and beautifully executed. The colors and highlights help to give this illustration a three-dimensional feel.
Second Place
Karsten Ivey, Len DeGroot, Tim Frank
Sun Sentinel
Countdown
Third Place
Brennan King
Palm Beach Post
Here Come the Holidays
16. Spot News Photography
Will Dickey
Florida Times-Union
St. Johns River
Not only was the photographer able to be at the right place at the right time to capture the moment, but the judges were impressed by the alignment of the elements to make a really well composed photograph.
Second Place
Kelly Jordan
Florida Times-Union
Sister's Grief
Third Place
Joe Cavaretta
Sun Sentinel
Beached Whale
17. Feature Photography
Rick Wilson
Florida Times-Union
Snow Dance Ballet
Non-literal image captures the essence of the annual Nutcracker performance. The slow exposure and tilted horizon helps to inject into this image a sense of movement and magic.
Second Place
Charles Trainor Jr.
Miami Herald
Born Without Arms
Third Place
Red Huber
Orlando Sentinel
Delta II Launch
18. Sports Photography
Gary W. Green
Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Magic vs. Detroit
Great use of a crop to highlight a wonderful action photo. We've seen this type of basketball photo before, but we've rarely seen it composed this well. A cool surprise.
Second Place
Robert Duyos
Sun Sentinel
Pennington consoles
Third Place
Bob Self
Florida Times-Union
Anything is Possible
19. Photo Story
Edmund D. Fountain
St. Petersburg Times
For Their Own Good
This first place picture story combines a powerful set of images and captions to help the viewer not only understand but also feel the impact of years of neglect and abuse suffered by the former residents of the Florida School for the Boys. Great light. Strong package.
Second Place
Kathleen Flynn
St. Petersburg Times
Sisters
Third Place
Brandon Kreese
Palm Beach Post
Season to Share
20. Online Breaking News
Staff
St. Petersburg Times
Finding a missing boater alive
This winner showed the most polish. The continuing change to the centerpiece photo drove home that the story was evolving.
Second Place
Staff
Orlando Sentinel
Downtown shooting
Third Place
none
21. Blog/Online Commentary
Staff
St. Petersburg Times
The Buzz
The Buzz takes top honors for adhering to best blogging practices while offering depth on Florida politics.
Second Place
Michael C. Bender, George Bennett, Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Post On Politics
Third Place
Staff
Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Basketblog
22. Breaking News Video
Sarah Dussault, Lou Toman, Joe Cavaretta, Wladimir Moquete, Ron Reid
Sun Sentinel
Oakland crash
This was the best definition of “breaking news video” in the field. The use of powerful spot photos helped move the story.
Second Place
Chuck Fadley, C.W. Griffin
Miami Herald
Coral Gables students, eyewitnesses to stabbing
Third Place
Atoyia Deans, Joseph Garnett Jr.
St. Petersburg Times
The quest for liberty is timeless
23. Non-deadline Video
Maurice Rivenbark
St. Petersburg Times
Passing along his treasured LPs
Strong video editing moved this story to the level of cinema art.
Second Place
Chuck Fadely
Miami Herald
Blind patient sees again with eye tooth
Third Place
Amy Beth Bennett, Sarah Dussault, Mike Stocker
Sun Sentinel
Caravella Released
24. Multimedia
Staff
Orlando Sentinel
STS-129
Effective visuals and crisp copy. Images, video, interactive map, live blog, even included answers from space.
Second Place
Douglas Clifford, Rita Farlow, Mike Moscardini, Joseph Garnett Jr., Maurice Rivenbark, Jack Rowland, Don Morris, Desiree Perry
St. Petersburg Times
The Golden Hour
Third Place
Staff
Florida Times-Union
The periodic table of metal bands
25. Innovation that Drives Digital Audience
Steve Spears, Sean Daly
St. Petersburg Times
Stuck in the '80s
Hosts are infectious. They interview big names from the '80s, and the audio clips are very enjoyable. It's getting a ton of clicks and downloads.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
26. Breaking News/Online Slideshow
Willie Allen Jr.
St. Petersburg Times
From St. Petersburg to the Inauguration
Images and audio reveal emotions, and the presentation features an impressive variety of image types.
Second Place
Will Vragovic
St. Petersburg Times
A special homecoming
Third Place
none
27. Enterprise Online Slideshow
Keri Wiginton
St. Petersburg Times
Homeless in High School
A simple, compelling human story, brought to life through the slideshow form.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
28. Niche Site/Channel
Jennifer Beckett, Shaun Flagg, Michelle Lara and Jonathan Tully
Palm Beach Post
PBPulse.com
Stylish design, enormous variety of content and sheer creativity. And the numbers show the site is doing an excellent job of attracting (and keeping) eyeballs. Very nice.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
Go to Paul Hansell award
Go to Division A awards
Go to Division C awards
Go to Spanish-language awards
Division B
Newspapers with circulation between 40,000 and 125,000 daily.
FSNE Gold Medal for Public Service
Michael Braga, Chris Davis, Matthew Doig
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Flipping Fraud
Examining a decade's worth of Florida real estate sales, the reporters uncovered fraud on an almost unimaginable scale: $10 billion in suspicious transactions. This powerful and crisply written investigative series revealed a hidden reason behind the Florida real estate crash and brought a swift response from state and federal officials -- a testimony to the reporters' remarkable work.
1. Daily Deadline
Staff
Tallahassee Democrat
Wetherell: It's Time
The package, which spanned the A-section, editorial page, op-ed pages to the sports front, gave readers a great sense of T.K. Wetherell's contributions to Florida State and the huge legacy he leaves after just six years.
Second Place
Staff
Ocala Star-Banner
Mortgage Giant Collapses
Third Place
Staff
Florida Today
Gator's Meyer Steps Aside
2. Features & Arts Writing
Shoshana Walter
The Ledger
Broken Silence
Walter took a subject that many newspapers are loathe to write about -- child sexual abuse -- and crafted a richly detailed and searing narrative that fully justifies the trust her two young subjects and their mothers placed in her. With persistent but sensitve reporting, the reader comes to feel the victims' shame, anger and, finally, self-empowerment from speaking openly about what happened.
Second Place
Jonathan Foerster
Naples Daily News
Resurrection of Amalia Mendoza
Third Place
Billy Cox
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Collection
3. Investigative Reporting
Michael Braga, Chris Davis, Matthew Doig
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Flipping Fraud
Examining a decade's worth of Florida real estate sales, the reporters uncovered fraud on an almost unimaginable scale: $10 billion in suspicious transactions. This powerful and crisply written investigative series revealed a hidden reason behind the Florida real estate crash and brought a swift response from state and federal officials -- a testimony to the reporters' remarkable work.
Second Place
Zac Anderson
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
911 Calls
Third Place
John Torres, Jeff Schweers
Florida Today
Wrongful Convictions
4. Explanatory Reporting
Aaron Kessler
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Chinese Drywall
Kessler took a complex subject and made it easy to understand. We came away with a much better understanding of this significant consumer product story.
Second Place
Gary White
The Ledger
Quit Claim Deeds
Third Place
Jim Saunders
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Slammed by Insurance
5. Beat Reporting
Todd Halvorson
Florida Today
Space
Halvorson distinguished himself in a competitive category through dogged reporting. His mix of sourcing and adeptness with documents allowed him to shine light on a complex topic of local and national importance.
Second Place
Cary McMullen
The Ledger
Religion
Third Place
Anna Scott
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Health
6. Sports
Brandt Merritt
The Ledger
FHSAA Cutbacks
Merritt draws a straight line for readers from Florida's shrinking tax revenues to shrinking high school sports schedules. It's a refreshingly different and timely way to look at sports reporting.
Second Place
Michael Lewis
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Shawn Shares His Sad Secret
Third Place
Patrick Obley
Charlotte Sun
The Sinner who would be a Saint
7. Business
Paige St. John
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Insurance
In her series of stories revealing the manipulative practices of one Florida insurance company and the allegedly illegal origins of another, St. John sheds light on a poorly understood industry performing an important service to Florida consumers.
Second Place
John McCarthy
Florida Today
Real estate downtown
Third Place
Susan Latham Carr
Ocala Star-Banner
Ocala National Bank implodes
8. Columns
Eric Ernst
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Collection
Ernst showcased his sense of purpose and justice. His columns were well constructed, well written and provided a voice to people who otherwise might not be heard.
Second Place
Rich Brooks
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Collection
Third Place
Tom McNiff
Ocala Star-Banner
Collection
9. Headlines
Brian Thornton
Ocala Star-Banner
Collection
Thornton delivers fresh, crisp headlines. He has found a formula to delight and surprise readers, and effectively herald stories.
Second Place
Jeffrey Rubin
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Collection
Third Place
Debbie Gibson
The News-Press
Collection
10. Editorials
Staff
Tallahassee Democrat
Collection
The Tallahassee Democrat was tireless in writing about insurance issues facing Floridians. Throughout the year, the paper provided well reasoned editorials that ultimately benefited consumers by calling for more alternatives in the insurance market.
Second Place
Carl Wernicke
Pensacola News Journal
Collection
Third Place
Staff
Florida Today
Collection
11. Page One Design
Staff
The Ledger
Collection
The best pages in this portfolio show a strong use of photography (Obama, Michael Jackson) and an effective use of packaging lots of elements to create an informative presentation ("Dirty Deeds").
Second Place
Staff
Gainesville Sun
Collection
Third Place
Staff
Tallahassee Democrat
Collection
12. Feature Page Design
Tony Elkins
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Designing for a New Decade
Very effective contrast of bold colors. Typography is just right. Wonderful visual hierarchy and movement around page. We would gladly turn the page to read this.
Second Place
Michelle Green, Jennifer F. A. Borresen
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Great Recession
Third Place
Tony Elkins
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Hello Kitty
13. Sports Page Design
Jeremy DeLuca
Tallahassee Democrat
Bowden
Powerful photo editing and use of typography. Very impressed to see this level of sophistication at this size of newspaper.
Second Place
Javier Torres
The News-Press
Greetings from …
Third Place
Adam Pavkov
The News-Press
Twice as Nice
14. Editorial Cartoon
Jeff Parker
Florida Today
Education Funding
This editorial cartoon took first place for its clear message and clever commentary on the issue of education funding.
Second Place
Andy Marlette
Pensacola News Journal
Florida Legislature
Third Place
Andy Marlette
Pensacola News Journal
15. News Graphics/Illustrations
Jennifer F. A. Borresen
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Flipping Fraud
We were really impressed with the quality of this GIS graphic. The density maps tell a multitude of stories. A big-time story with equally big-time visuals.
Second Place
Dennis Lowe and Jeff Meesey
Florida Today
Drilling off Gulf Coast
Third Place
Scott Sleeper and Mike Donlan
The News-Press
Synchronized Swimming
16. Spot News Photography
Matthew Ratajcak
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Fire Rages in Rio
The evacuation of elementary students on a school bus as brush fires threaten the school in Stuart took the first place honor for the way it layers the information to give a real sense of the urgency at the scene.
Second Place
Alan Youngblood
Ocala Star-Banner
Courtroom Stare-down
Third Place
Phil Sears
Tallahassee Democrat
Four injured
17. Feature Photography
Scott Wheeler
The Ledger
Artist at Museum
This is a beautiful image, combining the silhouette of Radcliffe Bailey with his art in the background. Subtely conveys a sense of emotion. Very graphic.
Second Place
Doug Finger
Gainesville Sun
A date with Dad
Third Place
Gary McCracken
Pensacola News Journal
Dinosaur Fright
18. Sports Photography
Chip Litherland
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Rolling Home
Upended base runner and catcher captures a peak moment. The look on the runner's face gives a sense of the intensity of this situation. Image is fairly clean and well-composed.
Second Place
Dan Wagner
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Beach Dodgeball
Third Place
Deborah Silver
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Protect and Serve
19. Photo Story
Chip Litherland
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Arcadia Rodeo
The photographer has covered all the bases to get across rodeo culture in this set of images. Use of relevant detail shots, different angles and tightly framed action pics convey the flavor of this particular event.
Second Place
Andrew West
The News-Press
Triathlete
Third Place
News-Press Photo Staff
The News-Press
A Final Farewell
20. Online Breaking News
Staff
Naples Daily News
Damas family killings
Variety of voices in this emotion-charged news story. Accused killer admitted crime in impromptu curbside video interview.
Second Place
Staff
The News-Press
President Obama visits Fort Myers
Third Place
Staff
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
3 teens killed in crash
21. Blog/Online Commentary
Matt Reed and Jeff Schweers
Florida Today
Watchlist Blog
One of the best things you can do with a blog is pull back the curtain on the reporting process and let readers in. This does that, in a way that truly adds value to existing coverage.
Second Place
Bob Gabordi
Tallahassee Democrat
Bob Gabordi's blog
Third Place
none
22. Breaking News Video
Steven Beardsley
Naples Daily News
Mesac Damas confesses to killing his family
The cameraman kept asking questions as he followed the suspect out of the building, and the suspect kept talking.
Second Place
Doug Engle
Ocala Star-Banner
Mortgage giant collapses
Third Place
none
23. Non-deadline Video
Manuel Martinez, Lexey Swall
Naples Daily News
The final run
Used series of still photographs to simulate motion. Great editing production.
Second Place
Lauren Mayk
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Tough times on the trail
Third Place
Ron Hurtibise
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Rise and fall of spring break
24. Multimedia
Staff
Naples Daily News
Ave Maria: A town without a vote
A year of research showed. Tons of great multimedia components: interactive timeline with amazing video, photos and graphics.
Second Place
John Torres, Joel Graf, Dennis Lowe
Florida Today
William Dillon: Lifetime lost
Third Place
Staff
The Ledger
Death row
25. Innovation that Drives Digital Audience
Staff
TCPalm.com
Database initiative
Smart criteria for hyper-local databases generated more than 250,000 extra page views in 2009.
Second Place
Monica Hare
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Michael King murder trial
Third Place
none
26. Breaking News Online Slideshow
Chip Litherland
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Funeral for cheerleader shot
Good editing helped frame this sad story that affected a whole community.
Second Place
Chip Litherland
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
TJ Maxx hostage standoff
Third Place
Elaine Skylar Litherland
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Michael King found guilty
27. Enterprise Online Slideshow
Sherri Nestico and Larry Reisman
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Youngsters born in 2000
What better way to make the end of the decade local than by talking to some kids in town who were born in 2000?
Second Place
Amanda Stratford
Florida Today
Sierra's Journey
Third Place
none
28. Niche site/channel
Staff
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
TCPalm.com’s Prep Zone
The ESPN of the Treasure Coast, complete with more than a million page views, a FaceBook fans area, live scores, blogs, videos, photo galleries.
Second Place
Staff
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Out and About channel
Third Place
Staff
Florida Today
Landing Memories
29. Use of Social Media in Breaking News
Chris Silk
Naples Daily News
Mesac Damas
News tips on Twitter provided a competitive edge. Broad variety of user-submitted posts and videos offered accurate coverage quickly.
Second Place
Florida Today Space Team
Florida Today
Ares I-X Moon Rocket Launch Life Chat
Third Place
Staff
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Abduction of girl is a hoax
Go to Paul Hansell award
Go to Division A awards
Go to Division B awards
Go to Spanish-language awards
Division C
Newspapers with circulation of less than 40,000 daily:
FSNE Gold Medal for Public Service
John Guerra
Key West Citizen
School Superintendent
A fine example of forceful, determined, accountability reporting that exposed wrongdoing and benefited the taxpayers and the students of Monroe County.
1. Daily Deadline
Andrew Gant
Panama City News Herald
My Husband Killed a Man
Well written. He got everyone to talk and to talk too much. He also shot and edited his own video to go with the story
Second Place
Shemir Wiles
Citrus County Chronicle
Deputy kills attacker
Third Place
Tony Holt
Hernando Today
Woman holds vandals at gunpoint
2. Features & Arts Writing
Gary Corsair
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
Polished, professional, well reported and well told. You can almost taste the BBQ.
Second Place
Nancy Kennedy
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
Third Place
Daisy Moon
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
3. Investigative Reporting
John Guerra
Key West Citizen
School Superintendent
It must be a delight to be a reporter in Key West. It's unbelievable but he pinned down the names and dollars and cents. Very persistent and systematic with a major impact.
Second Place
Michael Bates
Hernando Today
Kickbacks
Third Place
Andrew Gant
Panama City News Herald
Baby Shannon found alive
4. Explanatory Reporting
Gary Corsair
Villages Daily Sun
Turning back the clock
Focused, smart, well told stories geared with the readership in mind.
Second Place
Michael Bates
Hernando Today
Board rebuffs advice
Third Place
none
5. Beat Reporting
David Corder
Villages Daily Sun
Business
Bringing the national angle home with sophisticated reporting and writing.
Second Place
Tony Holt
Hernando Today
Education
Third Place
Mike Wright
Citrus County Chronicle
Local government
6. Sports
Keith Chartrand
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
Enterprising, good at finding local angles and vivid storytelling
Second Place
John Coscia
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
Third Place
Steve Trivett
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
7. Business
Will Hobson
Panama City News Herald
Banking Industry
Strong reporting and research on local banking that foreshadowed the collapse of the area's largest bank.
Second Place
Tony Holt
Hernando Today
A Cobbler
Third Place
none
8. Columns
Charlie Brennan
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
Very conversational and engaging prose style with topics that are relevant and interesting to his audience. Real human touches in his writing.
Second Place
Steve Trivett
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
Third Place
John Coscia
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
9. Headlines
Keith Chartrand
Villages Daily Sun
Collection
His headlines play to the entire presentation and had some attitude without editorializing. (Note: Please use A-Rod in the graphic, 117,683.00 a day spectator"
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
10. Editorials
Neale Brennan
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
Well written and well reasoned and to the point without being preachy.
Second Place
Charlie Brennan
Citrus County Chronicle
Collection
Third Place
Chris Wessel
Hernando Today
Collection
11. Page One Design
First Place
No award given in this category
12. Feature Page Design
Anthony Casto
Villages Daily Sun
Clawing His way
Diagonal headlines, textured background and an intense photo played large captures that movie-poster feel and speaks to the content of this story. The page, overall, is more of a magazine approach, which is refreshing.
Second Place
Anthony Casto
Villages Daily Sun
Up, Up and Away
Third Place
Bradford Josef Bautista
Citrus County Chronicle
Keys to the Castle
13. Sports Page Design
Matt Fry
Villages Daily Sun
Six the Hard Way
Big-time coverage of a live event. Great photo editing and use of typography to convey the biggest sporting event of the year.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
14. Editorial Cartoon
Don Brown
Hernando Today
Stimulus Plan, Bazillion Dollar Bill
This editorial cartoon about the introduction of the bazillion dollar bill won first for its perceptive quip about the stimulus bill.
Second Place
Don Brown
Hernando Today
Green' Dilemma
Third Place
Don Brown
Hernando Today
Text-Messaging Knife Thrower
15. News Graphics/Illustrations
Don Brown
Hernando Today
Foreclosures
A unique solution to use color and data to effectively bring readers in to a hard-to-illustrate story.
Second Place
Don Brown
Hernando Today
Impact Fee Distribution
Third Place
Mike Orton
Villages Daily Sun
Grapefruit League
16. Spot News Photography
Matthew Beck
Citrus County Chronicle
DUI Manslaughter
Tightly framed shot that captures the anguish of a woman who lost her daughter. The picture speaks for itself.
Second Place
Matthew Beck
Citrus County Chronicle
Inauguration
Third Place
Terry Barner
Panama City News Herald
Inferno
17. Feature Photography
Brian LaPeter
Citrus County Chronicle
Hitchin a Ride
Good use of light, reflection and symmetry moved this image to the top of the features category.
Second Place
Terry Barner
Panama City News Herald
Soldier's Tear
Third Place
Andrew Wardlow
Panama City News Herald
Lizard
18. Sports Photography
Terry Barner
Panama City News Herald
Hoops Arm
Great composition for a complicated yet powerful image.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
19. Photo Story
First Place
No award given in this category
20. Innovation that Drives Digital Audience
John Coscia
Citrus County Chronicle
Athlete of the Year
Impressive with 33,942 total online votes and more than 136,000 page views, including live streaming from the awards banquet.
Second Place
none
Third Place
none
Spanish-Language Awards
1. News Reporting
Gerardo Reyes and Gonzalo Guillen
El Nuevo Herald
Falsos Positivos
A great example of watchdog journalism. A story with impact, balance and, without a doubt, one that generated a range of reactions.
Second Place
Luis Enrique Flor, El Sentinel Ft. Lauderdale
Series on Immigration
Third Place
Staff, Centro Tampa
Series on Foreclosures
2. Sports Writing
Alsy Acevedo
El Sentinel Orlando
En esta esquina and Cotto con todo
Boxing probably got new fans after these stories: With simple words, the writer explains what happens inside and outside the ring.
Second Place
Luis Enrique Flor, El Sentinel Ft. Lauderdale
Gimnasia
Third Place
none
3. Features Writing
Sarah Moreno
El Nuevo Herald
Series
Excellent writing. The author jumps into a variety of issues and offers a new perspective to readers.
Second Place
Maria D'Adamo, Eco-Latino
Latinos en Jacksonville
Third Place
Yvonne Valdez, El Sentinel Ft. Lauderdale
Breast Cancer Awareness
4. Design
Joel Bustamante
Centro Tampa
Messi gana el Balon de Oro
Clean and compelling design are perfectly paired for a story about one of the best soccer players in the world.
Second Place
Luis Garcia and Oman Martinez, El Nuevo Herald
Muerte de Michael Jackson
Third Place
Jessalyn Santos, El Sentinel Ft. Lauderdale
Rita Moreno