Vindicator staff wins AP awards

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Vindicator has been recognized as one of the top-rated newspapers in the state for general excellence in the annual Associated Press Society of Ohio newspaper competition.

The APSO honored The Vindicator Sunday with 18 awards for the quality of its coverage, its strong focus on community service and its excellent use of multimedia tools.

The Vindicator received the honors in the annual statewide newspaper competition for its writing, photography and other coverage in 2011.

Todd Franko, Vindicator editor, said it is always an honor for The Vindicator to be recognized among the top newspapers in the state.

“This is always a fun time of year for Ohio newspapers and the work they do for their communities. I’m glad for Vindy work to be celebrated as well,” he said.

The Vindicator beat out all newspapers in its size division for best use of multimedia in its coverage of the oil and gas industry and particularly its focus on hydraulic fracturing that has caused a boom in drilling in the Mahoning Valley. The Vindicator has dedicated special in-depth coverage to the topic, and Vindy.com, the newspaper’s website, includes a link to Shale Sheet, a compendium of stories and data tied to the industry.

The Vindicator also beat out all newspapers of similar size in providing community service with the introduction of its Government Watch, which includes stories that promote the newspaper’s watchdog role over local government and a special section on Vindy.com.

Government Watch on Vindy.com includes records of government employee salaries and stories that monitor local governments and publicly funded institutions, such as Youngstown State University.

“Lots of great Vindy work was honored. Of special significance is to see our partnership with Youngstown State University journalism students honored in Chris Keeling’s award,” said Franko. Keeling won first place for investigative reporting.

“There are hardworking people at the Vindy and at YSU striving to serve the Valley every day,” Franko added.

Vindicator staff members receiving first-place awards and their winning category were:

Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Christine Keeling, “Church Liens.”

Best Full Page Layout: 1, Robert McFerren, “Rocket Man/Our Civil War.”

Best Community Service: The Vindicator, “Government Watch.”

Best Illustration: John Cruz,

Best Sports Enterprise: Joe Scalzo,

Best Online Photojournalist: William D. Lewis.

Receiving second-place awards were:

Best Columnist: Todd Franko.

Best Editorial Writer: Dennis Mangan.

Best Graphics Artist: Robert McFerren.

Best Sports Feature Writer: Joe Scalzo.

Best Sports Writer: Joe Scalzo.

Receiving third-place awards were:

Best Online Photojournalist: Robert K. Yosay.

Best Feature Writer: Ed Runyan.

Best Graphics Artist: John Cruz.

Best Spot News Photo: Robert K. Yosay, “Six Dead in Fire.”

Best Sports Photo: William D. Lewis.

General excellence of the newspaper.

Sixty-seven daily newspapers submitted 2,928 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2011.

Entries for The Vindicator’s division were judged by The New York Times Syndicate.

The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,500 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States.

Members of AP include 84 daily newspapers in Ohio.

The judges reviewed selected entries from calendar year 2011 in choosing this year’s winners.