You're still reading Pennsylvania's Best Overall Newspaper.
The Keystone Pro Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists announced Wednesday the newspaper successfully defended its title as "Best Overall Daily" in the state.
The Times-Tribune also earned the SPJ Spotlight Award, the organization's most prestigious award, for its ongoing series "City in Crisis," written by Borys Krawczeniuk and Jim Lockwood.
"It's really a testament to the hard work of the entire staff," said Executive Editor Larry Holeva, who joined the newspaper in January. "The judges for the top overall award review entire editions to rate how well a newspaper serves its community. This is an honor shared across all departments, and a reflection of the really great work done by (the late editor) Larry Beaupre and everyone at the newspaper."
The newspaper claimed 11 SPJ awards to increase its yearly total to 35. Journalists from SPJ chapters in Connecticut, Oregon and Tennessee judged this year's contest. The contest includes newspapers of all circulation divisions.
Mr. Krawczeniuk and Mr. Lockwood captured the Spotlight Award for their continuing coverage of Scranton's financial issues. Staff Writer Sarah Hofius Hall won a third place Spotlight Award for her investigative work on former Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit executive director Fred Rosetti, Ed.D.
"The staff puts a focus on enterprise and investigation. We're thrilled the judges recognized the newspaper for its work as watchdog of the community," Mr. Holeva said.
Ms. Hall also won four awards in the Pennsylvania Women's Press Association's Excellence in Journalism contest. She won first place in enterprise/investigative reporting for a story looking at superintendent payouts; second places in education reporting for a look at special education lawsuits and in multimedia for Grading Our Schools; and an honorable mention in general news reporting for reporting on Dr. Rosetti.
The Times-Tribune claimed 11 Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's Keystone Press Awards and five Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors News Excellence awards earlier this year. The newspaper also won national recognition in February as one of the best sports sections in the Associated Press Sports Editors contest. The ASPE also named the newspaper in the Top 10 for its Sunday sports section and multimedia, as well as honorable mention in both daily and special sections, in its circulation category (30,000-75,000).
"This is the best showing we have had in these contests," said Jessica D. Matthews, metro editor. "Particularly impressive is to sweep the top awards in the SPJ contest, and win Best Overall Newspaper for a second year in a row. We have an incredible staff and all these awards just reiterate that."
The state awards will be presented during the Pennsylvania awards banquet May 17 and 18 at the Hilton in Harrisburg.
Other SPJ awards an- nounced Wednesday include:
First place, Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Krawczeniuk, enterprise reporting, "City in Crisis."
First place, Times-Tribune Staff, in the online breaking news and spot news categories for coverage of Superstorm Sandy.
First place, Jason Farmer, sports photography, "West Scranton Basketball Fans."
Second place, Butch Comegys, feature photography, "Wild Hair Day."
Second place, Donnie Collins, Scott Walsh, Joby Fawcett, Mr. Lockwood and Citizens' Voice staff writer Mike Sisak, sports reporting, "Joe Paterno."
Second place, Times-Tribune Staff, business and labor reporting, "Outlook 2012."
Third place, Mr. Lockwood, spot news, "Blaze kills infant."