Vindicator places high in annual AP awards contest

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Vindicator has earned 33 nominations in 24 categories for Division IV of the 2014 Ohio Associated Press Media Editors newspaper contest.

Winners will be announced at the Ohio APME annual luncheon in Columbus on May 3.

“The volume of nominations is outstanding. It reinforces the quality information we provide to the Valley every day — whether for news or sports and whether it’s a paper you read, a phone you scroll or a video you watch. The Vindicator staff are unsung heroes in Valley vitality,” said Todd Franko, editor.

The finalists for Division IV, or newspapers with daily circulation of 25,000 to 74,999, were announced Tuesday. For The Vindicator these are:

Best Use of Social Media: Joe Scalzo

Best Headline Writer: Matt Arnold.

Best Business Writer: Kalea Hall, Ed Runyan

Best Editorial Writer: Rick Logan

Best Feature Writer: Kalea Hall, Todd Franko

Best Graphics Artist: Richard Darbey, Robert McFerren

Best Sports Columnist: Ed Puskas

Best Sports Feature Writer: Joe Scalzo

Best Sports Writer: Kevin Connelly, Joe Scalzo

Best Photographer: Robert Yosay

Best News Writer: Peter Milliken

Best Sports Event Coverage: Joe Scalzo and Ed Puskas, “Bo Pelini Hired as YSU Football Coach”; Joe Scalzo and Ed Puskas, “Firing of YSU Football Coach Eric Wolford”

Best Daily Sports Section: The Vindicator

Best Informational Graphics: Robert McFerren, “Alleged Enterprise of Oakhill Corruption”; Robert McFerren, “Poland Earthquakes”.

Best Illustration: Robert McFerren, “Tressel Crossing the Mahoning”; Robert McFerren, “Leno’s Last Stand (up)”

Best News Photo: Robert Yosay “Body Found on Midland”

Best Sports Photo: David Dermer, “All Hoosiers”

Best Photo Essay: Robert Yosay, “Ice Fishing”; William Lewis, “Homemade Sausage at Mt. Olivet Church”

Best Community Service: The Vindicator, “Tracking Mahoning County Spending Series”

Best Breaking News Coverage: The Vindicator, “The Resignation of Randy Dunn”

Best Investigative Reporting: The Vindicator, “Fracking and Earthquakes in the Valley”

Best Full Page Layout: Robert McFerren (twice)

Best Digital Presence: The Vindicator

Best Enterprise Reporting: Robert Connelly and Kalea Hall, “Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course”