The staff of the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com won three Best in Ohio and several first-place awards in the annual Press Club of Cleveland competition for work published in 2012.
The staff won first place for best newspaper in Ohio with circulation under 100.000, and columnist Bob Dyer and photographer Ed Suba Jr. won Best in Ohio for body of work.
Of Dyer’s work, the judges said: “Bob takes any subject and writes a wonderful essay about it.”
Dyer also won first place for general news column, for his piece on a Mogadore dispute, “Gas station clerk’s firing sparks outrage,” and first place for a single essay, “PC push simply gets in the way.”
Of Suba’s work, the judges said: “Excellent variety of shots showing range of work. Loved the stop action, catching people in the air.”
He also won three second-place awards for general feature, studio photography and personal/portrait.
Feature writer Mary Beth Breckenridge won two first-place awards, one for general news single story, on the toll war has taken on military families, which was part of the America Today/Civility project. Of her story, “What if he doesn’t come home,” judges said: “This report is impressive for its narrative organization and for its emotional impact. The stories of three families should touch us all.”
Breckenridge also won first place, lifestyle, for her column on re-gifting, “Some gifts just keep on giving.”
Photographer Karen Schiely won two first place awards, one for general news, “Arson destroys home,” and general feature, “Whoooo goes there.”
Michael Douglas, the newspaper’s editorial page editor, won first place for single editorial, “An exchange of core values,” on the contradictions in the John Kasich administration regarding health care.
Crime reporter Phil Trexler won first place for ongoing coverage of breaking news in his series of stories on Akron Municipal Judge Joy Malek Oldfield.
For multiple page design, photo director Kimberly Barth, assistant news editor Richard Stallsmith and photographer Mike Cardew won first place for their layout of “Chaplain lifts spirits.”
Barth, Schiely and news editor Mark Turner won a second place for multiple page design for “Matters of the heart.’’
Turner also won a second place for page design for the America Today/Civility project.
Other awards were:
Second place, digital media, breaking news, reporters Rick Armon, Stephanie Warsmith, John Higgins, “Restaurant owner dies hours after meeting President Obama.”
Second place, single essay, managing editor Doug Oplinger, “We’re hurting each other,” a summary of the America Today/Civility project.
Third place, public service, staff, America Today/Civility project
Also as part of the America Today/Civility project, third place, general news, multiple stories, Carol Biliczky, Betty Lin-Fisher and David Knox. “Clinging to a dream as debt piles up,” about student debt.
Two third-place awards for food writer Lisa Abraham, food writing, “Birds and bees cropping up,” and lifestyle, “It’s all about moderation.”
Third place, general feature, Paula Schleis, “Passing angel revives dying runner at race.”
Third place obituary, reporter Marilyn Miller, “Local Vietnam hero.”