Better Newspaper Contest Blue Ribbon Winners 1972-2016 the Blue Ribbon Remains the Most Coveted Award in the Better Newspaper Contest

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ANNUAL HSPA Better Newspaperth Contest 502016 Award Winners Saturday, December 3, 2016 ◆ Indianapolis Marriott North HSPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest Blue Ribbon winners 1972-2016 The Blue Ribbon remains the most coveted award in the Better Newspaper Contest. In the category’s 44-year history, The Corydon Democrat leads in total number of awards, with 16 in the nondaily division. The Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) has earned nine awards – the most for any daily newspaper.

DAILIES 2004 – Evansville Courier & Press 1989 – The Corydon Democrat 1972 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 2005 – The Indianapolis Star 1990 – The Corydon Democrat 1973 – Bloomington Courier-Tribune 2006 – South Bend Tribune 1991 – The Corydon Democrat 1974 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 2007 – The Herald-Times (Bloomington) 1992 – Zionsville Times Sentinel 1975 – Herald Telephone (Bloomington) 2008 – The Noblesville Ledger 1993 – The Herald Republican (Angola) 1976 – Fort Wayne News Sentinel 2009 – Daily Journal (Franklin) 1994 – The Corydon Democrat 1977 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 2010 – The Indianapolis Star 1995 – The Herald Republican (Angola) 1978 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 2011 – Evansville Courier & Press 1996 – The Corydon Democrat 1979 – The Shelbyville News 2012 – The Indianapolis Star 1997 – The Herald Republican (Angola) 1980 – The Noblesville Ledger 2013 – Journal & Courier (Lafayette) 1998 – The Corydon Democrat 1981 – Palladium-Item (Richmond) 2014 – The Herald-Times (Bloomington) 1999 – The Herald Republican (Angola) 1982 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 2015 – Daily Journal (Franklin) 2000 – The Corydon Democrat 1983 – Palladium-Item (Richmond) 2016 – South Bend Tribune 2001 – Perry County News (Tell City) 1984 – Herald Telephone (Bloomington) 2002 – The Spencer Co. Journal NONDAILIES 1985 – Fort Wayne News Sentinel Democrat (Rockport) 1986 – The Shelbyville News 1972 – Brown County Democrat (Nashville) 2003 – Zionsville Times-Sentinel 1987 – Herald-Bulletin (Anderson) 1973 – Vevay Reveille-Enterprise 2004 – The Noblesville Ledger 1988 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 1974 – Vevay Reveille-Enterprise 2005 – Mount Vernon Democrat 1989 – South Bend Tribune 1975 – The Corydon Democrat 2006 – Mount Vernon Democrat 1990 – Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 1976 – The Corydon Democrat 2007 – Brown County Democrat 1991 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 1977 – The Corydon Democrat (Nashville) 1992 – Fort Wayne News Sentinel 1978 – The News (Tell City) 2008 – Dearborn County Register 1993 – The Times (Munster) 1979 – The Corydon Democrat (Lawrenceburg) 1994 – The Times (Munster) 1980 – The Corydon Democrat 2009 – The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) 1995 – The Times (Munster) 1981 – The News (Tell City) 2010 – Brown County Democrat 1996 – The Times (Munster) 1982 – Brown County Democrat (Nashville) (Nashville) 1997 – The Times (Munster) 1983 – The News (Tell City) 2011 – The Times-Post (Pendleton) 1998 – The Indianapolis Star 1984 – Brown County Democrat (Nashville) 2012 – The Corydon Democrat 1999 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 1985 – The Corydon Democrat 2013 – Brown County Democrat 2000 – The Times (Munster) 1986 – The Herald Republican (Angola) (Nashville) 2001 – Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) 1987 – The Spencer County Journal 2014 – Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) 2002 – Evansville Courier & Press Democrat (Rockport) 2015 – The Corydon Democrat 2003 – The Times (Munster) 1988 – The Corydon Democrat 2016 – Ferdinand News HSPA Foundation congratulates all winners in the 2016 Better Newspaper Contest and thanks you for your continued support that allows us to carry out our mission through programs and services to better serve the citizens of Indiana through newspapers.

Fostering public understanding of Enhancing the ability of newspapers • Better Newspaper Contest (editorial) the role of a free press in society to educate and inform the public ▪ Training journalists Presentations on Access to Public Recruiting future journalists • Annual Conference ▪Records Law and Open Door Law ▪ • Eugene S. Pulliam internships • Road Shows for Reporters (with Newspapers in Education activities Associated Press Media Editors) ▪related to the First Amendment • Advertising internships • Scholarships for high school students • Advertising Gala (with INAEA) Increasing public literacy majoring in print journalism • Newsroom Seminar ▪ Newspaper in Education weekly • Job fair (with Associated Press • Technology workshops activities for teachers on website Media Editors) • High school mentors program Serial stories for all papers in Rewarding excellence ▪ ▪ Defending principles of the the state • Advertising contest (with Indiana ▪ Ernie Pyle World War II Museum grant Newspaper Advertising Executives First Amendment ▪ Public access handbooks Association) ▪ Amicus briefs

Page 2 2016 Better Newspaper Contest Index and Information

Special thanks to the Index 2016 HSPA Foundation Blue Ribbon nondaily winner...... 4

Newsroom Seminar Committee Blue Ribbon daily winner...... 5 for their commitment to excellence in journalism. Story of the Year finalists...... 6 Story of the Year...... 7 Chairwoman: Lisa Green Photo of the Year finalists...... 8 The Journal-Gazette (Fort Wayne) Photo of the Year...... 9 Tim Ethridge Evansville Courier & Press General excellence division winners...... 10 Max Jones James W. Brown ...... 11 Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Best websites...... 12 Curt Kovener Division N-1 (Nondailies fewer than 3,001) Crothersville Times Category winners...... 13

Mike Marturello Division N-2 (Nondailies more than 3,000) The Herald Republican (Angola) Category winners...... 22 Viv Sade Division D-3 (Dailies fewer than 6,000) Category winners...... 31 Retired Division D-4 (Dailies 6,000-13,999) Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor Category winners...... 40 The Corydon Democrat Division D-5 (Dailies 14,000-34,999) Denny Simmons Category winners...... 49 Evansville Courier & Press Division D-6 (Dailies 35,000 and above) Scarlett Syse Category winners...... 58 AIM Media Indiana Best editorial cartoonists...... 67 Michael Wanbaugh The Goshen News Bill Wilson The HSPA Foundation appreciates the The Rochester Sentinel efforts of the 2016 contest judges Bob Zaltsberg from the Michigan Press Association. The Herald-Times (Bloomington)

HSPA Staff

HSPA Foundation board of directors Stephen Key...... Executive director and general counsel [email protected] • (317) 624-4427 President: Nancy Grossman, Leader Publishing Co. of Salem Pamela Lego...... Advertising director, MAP Vice President: Michael J. Christman, Fort Wayne Newspapers [email protected] • (812) 350-7711 Secretary: William “B.J.” Riley, CNHI Jamar Cobb-Dennard...... Communications specialist Curt Jacobs, The Madison Courier [email protected] • (317) 624-4430 Barbara King, North Vernon Plain Dealer & Sun Yvonne Yeadon...... Office manager Mark Miller, The News-Banner (Bluffton) [email protected] • (317) 624-4433 Jack Pate, Evansville Courier & Press Shawn Goldsby...... Statewide advertising manager John Rumbach, The Herald (Jasper) [email protected] • (317) 803-4772

HSPA board of directors This special publication provides an overview of the 2016 Better Newspaper Contest winning entries. We cannot print entire stories in most cases. For complete stories, visit www.HSPAfoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” The full text of the story (or first in a series) President: Chris White, The Times Media Co. will be posted after the awards luncheon. Vice President/Secretary: Chuck Wells, AIM Media Indiana For additional copies, please send $5 and a return mailing address to: HSPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest Tab, 41 E. Washington St., Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Greg Morris, IBJ Corp. Pete Van Baalen, Fort Wayne Newspapers Patrick Lanman, Vevay Media Group Beverly Joyce, CNHI Bill Connelly, LaGrange Publishing Co. Cory Bollinger, Schurz Communications, Inc.

Page 3 Blue Ribbon Blue Ribbon

Judges base this highest accolade of the Nondaily HSPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest on an overall evaluation of the editorial quality of the newspaper. Judges look for the newspaper best serving its readers with all variables considered. They examine breadth and depth of coverage, quality of reporting and copy editing, news judgment and content balance, general appearance, imaginative approach to problem news areas, originality, reader interest and overall professionalism. The Blue Ribbon Award honors one daily and one nondaily newspaper, regardless of circulation size.

Nondaily

First place Ferdinand News Comments: It is obvious that this paper is committed to connecting with their community. I felt as if I was getting an excellent representation through stories and images of what it means to live in the Ferdinand area. Photos were particularly powerful. Excellent year-in-review photo gallery. A sprightly, well-written paper with a warm, friendly tone. Great number of educational features. Super pictures.

Second place Brown County Democrat Comments: Spirit of 76 feature on the 1976 basketball team was great. Excellent photography from the flood disaster issue. That said, issues reviewed were inconsistent with some featuring very limited photos, others with a lot. Back to School information was comprehensive. Good layout. Full of information important to reader on elections, schools. Sharp, inviting layout.

Third place The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Comments: Visually appealing paper. Content seems to deliver on their mission to deliver business news pertinent to the NE Indiana/NW Ohio region. Aimee Ambrose and Doug LeDuc had strong material. Made me feel as though I got a good pulse of the region’s business world. While this is not a community newspaper, it is a very well done business publication able to keep readers up to date on the latest business news.

Ferdinand News

Publisher & Editor: Kathy Tretter

Page 4 t Blue Ribbon Blue Ribbon

Judges base this highest accolade of the Daily HSPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest on an overall evaluation of the editorial quality of the newspaper. Judges look for the newspaper best serving its readers with all variables considered. They examine breadth and depth of coverage, quality of reporting and copy editing, news judgment and content balance, general appearance, imaginative approach to problem news areas, originality, reader interest and overall professionalism. The Blue Ribbon Award honors one daily and one nondaily newspaper, regardless of circulation size.

Daily

First place South Bend Tribune Comments: The South Bend Tribune is a newspaper that knows its readers, what they want and how they want it. Clearly it relishes its watchdog role. Its reporting on the Pillow Case Bandit resonates with a community wanting at least some answers about this still unsolved crime spree. Another Sunday centerpiece on county legal bills asks the right questions and demands accountability from public officials. It’s a paper that sweats the details: Strong headlines, lots of entry point sidebars and solid graphics. It deserves the Blue Ribbon.

Second place The Tribune Star (Terre Haute) Comments: The Tribune Star knows that its readers expect a public service commitment from their newspaper and it succeeds in providing it. A three-month investigation of Terra Haute’s decline details in sprightly fashion what could have been what could have been a numbing report. Noteworthy is the use of photos and graphics, and most importantly a call- to-action editorial. Another Sunday package on water quality taps (no pun intended) into concerns raised nationwide about water. Complementing the ‘big picture” work is an enchant- ing Sunday local feature section packed with photos of “real people.”

Third place Evansville Courier & Press Comments: There is a definite retro feel to the Courier & Press . . . and that’s a good thing. It gives its readers the stores of feature that were once staples of community newspapers: Tri-State Today, On the Record, local columnists, real estate transactions, even corny stated community photos. And why not? The populist approach is backed with solid journalism. Its retrospective package on the deadly tornado that killed 25 and ravaged Evansville community portrayed a community still healing was informative, chilling South Bend Tribune and perhaps for readers, cathartic. This is a newspaper that knows its readers and serves its readers. Publisher: Cory Bollinger Executive Editor: Alan Achkar

Page 5 Story finalists

Story of the Year finalists

Division 1 Brian Kaufman South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) Run. Hide. Fight. Comments: This is a well-done piece on a current subject. It is part feature, part informative piece, part local story. It’s weaved together well and is descriptive. This is a very nice story that is presented well. See Page 13 for story

Division 2 Andrea McCann Zionsville Times Sentinel Jared Fogle Child Exploitation Case Comments: When major news like this happens in one’s backyard, a good newsroom will rise to the occasion and cover the story and its angles in an in-depth fashion that only the local press can. This is very good local coverage of a national story, and good job of staying on top of it long after the national cameras left. See Page 22 for story

Division 3 James Sprague Connersville News-Examiner The History of Hoffman Comments: This is great reporting through a story. A key role of the press is to examine things that seem “too good to be true,” and this is a great effort of serving as watchdog for your community. See Page 31 for story

Division 5 Lauren Slagter & George Myers Kokomo Tribune Dispatch Center Comments: This is an excellent job of taking a breaking news story and shining light on a crucial issue in your community. I felt both sides of the story was told well, and I especially liked the story where the reporteer embedded herself with dispatchers. This type of story defines what community journalism should be all about. See Page 49 for story

Division 6 Team The Times (Munster) Great Lakes Transportation Basin Railroad Fight Comments: This is a very interesting story with a lot of angles, and the coverage on this story is impeccable. Reporters got their feet on the street to source a very nice series of stories on an issue that is important to your community and this area. See Page 58 for story

Page 6 Story of the Year

The Herald Bulletin (Anderson)

Division 4 Mounds Lake match?

Ken de la Bastide Toxic blue-green algae are settled to the bottom of the The Herald Bulletin present in many Midwestern lake during its 178 years. (Anderson) lakes. The blooms flourish in “Dredging is the biggest For nearly 180 years, warm, still water tainted by thing we’re doing,” Miller runoff from farm fields, and phosphorus from livestock said. “We have ramped up later residential subdivisions, manure, sewage and the program to remove the has drained into Grand fertilizer runoff. phosphorous from the lake Lake St. Marys, dumping Brian Miller, Southwest bed.” phosphates into the 13,500- District manager of Ohio acre reservoir. The state has also state parks, noted that the implemented an education Dug out of swamp land state routinely tests the water program to discourage by hand in 1837 to dam quality to determine the toxic owners of properties near Coldwater Creek and levels in the lake as a result Grand Lake St. Marys from provide water to the Miami- of the algae blooms. applying phosphates to Erie canal system, the lake In June the microcystin lawns. has suffered from years of level reached 162 parts per ecological neglect, resulting Perhaps the most billion, eight times higher important long-term measure in the prevalence of toxic than limits set by the state. bluegreen algae blooms. to address the blue-green Warning signs have algae problem is the Ohio Toxicity levels in the lake been posted by the Ohio DNR’s construction of severely limited recreational Department of Natural wetlands around the lake use in 2009 and 2010. Again Resources, advising lake to filter phosphates out of this summer, the state posted users not to drink the water. runoff before it enters the toxic-algae warning signs at Other signs warn young lake. Grand Lake St. Marys after children and the elderly not “The solution is the the water made a woman to swim in the lake. The sick. wetlands to filter the water,” beaches have remained open. said Donna Grube, executive David LeBlanc, a biology The lake serves as a water director of the Auglaize and professor at Ball State reservoir for the city of Mercer counties visitor’s University, notes that the Celina and is surrounded bureau. agricultural watershed for by a central sanitary sewer “Since the state started the the Mounds Lake reservoir, system. proposed for the Anderson program, there has been an area, has some of the highest Grand Lake St. Marys is explosion of other wildlife in fertilizer application rates a large, shallow lake with the area.” in the country. Like Grand a lethargic current. Those Miller said the state is Lake St. Marys, Mounds factors contribute to its conducting further study of Lake would be choked by susceptibility to blue-grean the watershed to identify blue-green algae, LeBlanc algae. It takes six years for more strategies to reduce Finalist panel’s comments: has said. the water in the reservoir to the amount of phosphorous Excellent job of hitting the street and investigating what could be the future of a project that could significantly flow the entire length of the entering the lake. Main Street in Celina lake, Miller said. change your community. I liked the part where you asked offers a panoramic view of “The watershed is getting people in the other locations to give their advice to people the western edge of the lake, “The watershed is 71,000 better every year,” he said. considering the project in your area. This was a very good which extends to the small acres, and the lake is 13,500 report and interesting to read. acres,” he said. “In a smaller “It won’t be a one-year community of St. Marys on solution; it will take about the eastern shore. Combined, reservoir, the water turns over a lot quicker.” 10 years,” Grand Lake St. Category judge’s comments: the two communities have a Marys Park Manager John population of about 20,000, Mounds Lake, at 2,100 This is journalism at its finest. This was thorough, well Lewis added. thought out, well planned and well executed. Outstanding according to the U.S. acres, would be less than work. Census. one-sixth the size of Grand Grube estimated the lake Lake St. Marys. nets $200 million annually in The area of western Ohio tourism for the surrounding surrounding the lake is Since 2010, the Ohio communities. predominantly agricultural. DNR has taken several Fields of corn and soybeans steps to reduce blue-green In 2009 and 2010, stretch outward, and algae blooms, and some when the blue-green algae livestock feedlots pepper the local residents and business scare reached an apex, tax landscape. owners proclaim the DNR’s revenues, which fund the measures are working. visitors bureau, dropped Runoff from agricultural by 25 percent, according to enterprises feeds the algae The state of Ohio has Grube. blooms, which release a spent $26 million in recent toxin, microcystin, that can years to improve the water In the past couple of years, kill pets and sicken people. quality. The state treats the recreational use of the lake Microcystin attacks the liver lake with a liquid agent to has rebounded. and nerve system and causes trap the phosphorous on the “Tourism is very important symptoms ranging from lake bed and also dredges For complete story, see rashes to nausea. to remove matter that has www.hspafoundation.org Click Contests. Page 7 Photo finalists

Photo of the Year finalists

Division 1 Eric Tretter Ferdinand News Color Run Comments: Very nice job of capturing a run. Tightly edited with a nice selection of photos. The photographer did nice job of selecting different angles and moments from the event.

Division 2 Will Willems Zionsville Times Sentinel Baseball state runnerup Comments: State baseball runner-up. Just by looking at the emotion on the players’ faces, you can tell the outcome from an important game. This photo sums up the result from the game.

Division 3 Chris Schanz The Commercial Review (Portland) Mud dive Comments: Would have liked to have seen the image cropped a little tighter but still a clean image from an event. Photographer did a nice job of paying attention to the f-stop to keep the background out of focus.

Division 5 Mike Wolanin The Republic (Columbus) Back to State Comments: A great photo showing the excitement of winning a championship game. This photo has all of the emotion of the team and the coach. Photographer was in the right place at the right time and the picture all came together.

Division 6 Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) Protests for Laquan Comments: A very nice photo that captures the clash between police and protesters. The photo captures the chaos at the scene. Nice job of selecting the shutter speed that gives the photo a nice feel for the chaos.

Page 8 Photo of the Year

Daily Reporter (Greenfield)

Division 4

After the Fire Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield)

Category judge’s comments: Very nice job paying attention to the little details following a fire. It would have been very easy just to shoot an overall, but this image brings home emotion of ones sifting through possessions after a fire.

Division panel’s comments: The photo had one chance to capture the moment, and the photographer was able to do it. There’s a chance this could be staged, but with those dirty fingers, I am not sure it could be. The goal is to take a photo that tells a story, and this one does that.

Finalist panel’s comments: This photo stood out from all other first place winners. A very simple photo that brings home the aspect of going through belongings after a fire. Very powerful image! A photo that not all photographers would be looking for.

Page 9 General Excellence

The General Excellence Award is given to one paper in each of the six circulation divisions based on a point system. Winners in this category should exemplify excellence in all aspects of newspaper publication, including mechanical excellence, editorial content, layout and general appearance. Points will be awarded as follows: • Writing and Photography Categories – 5 points for first, 3 points for second, 1 point for third. • Section & Website Awards – 10 points for first, 6 points for second, 2 points for third. • Community Service and Newspaper Design Categories – 10 points for first, 6 points for second, 2 points for third. This category will not be judged, but is an accumulation of points earned in the other categories.

General Excellence Division 1

First place The Times Post (Pendleton)

Second place The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Third place Ferdinand News

Division 2

First place Brown County Democrat

Second place The Corydon Democrat

Third place Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg)

Division 3

First place The Commercial Review (Portland)

Second place Princeton Daily Clarion

Third place The Tribune (Seymour)

Division 4

First place Daily Reporter (Greenfield)

Second place Daily Journal (Franklin)

Third place The Herald-Bulletin (Anderson)

Division 5

First place The Herald-Times (Bloomington)

Second place The Republic (Columbus)

Third place Kokomo Tribune

Division 6

First place South Bend Tribune

Second place The Times (Munster)

Third place The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne)

Page 10 James W. Brown Innovation Award

NWI History The Times (Munster) Brown winners 2009 – The Indianapolis Star With Indiana’s bicentennial past and future. Valparaiso University good and bad. We’re also offering Digital Dashboards to connect reporters celebrated in 2016, The Times Media students who are trained facilitators interviews with Korean War and with their audiences Co. has dived into history in a big way. guide the civic reflection following a Vietnam War veterans, stories about In print, we’re putting a photo and presentation on some aspect of the Civil War veterans from Northwest 2010 – The Indianapolis Star history blurb on A2 every day during Region’s history. “John Wooden: The Indiana Story,” Indiana, a genealogy blog and much a revenue-producing tribute video this bicentennial year. That includes We also published special sections more. referring readers to http://nwi.com/ in print with history themes – four The launch of this web portal for 2014 – The Elkhart Truth history for an Indiana history quiz with massive history-themed progress Northwest Indiana history brought Flavor 574 a new question and answer every editions named Then & Now, and a about 1 million more page views day, courtesy of the Indiana Historical Feb. 24 special section called Historic 2016 – The Time (Munster) each month to http://nwi.com. We’ve NWI History Society. The question is published in Times that offered historic front pages promoted http://nwi.com/history with print, but the reader has to go online to since The Times was launched in 1906. business cards passed out at public find the answer. They’re online at nwi.com/history, too. events and available at area museums That’s one of many projects we’re It’s at http://nwi.com/history, however, and cultural centers. doing in partnership with historical where readers can find much more. Politics/History Editor Doug Ross James W. Brown, a pioneer, a cheerleader and a societies in Indiana and throughout We’ve been creating galleries and research assistant Pat Kincaid great asset to journalism while leading the program at Northwest Indiana. of photos from the past, and we’re IUPUI, has been heavily involved in photography and have worked with Editor Bob Heisse We worked with them on two pictorial publishing videos about local history, multimedia. He pushed professional journalists as history books, one published last too. The popular NWI History blog tells and other staff members to make this well as his students toward innovation with video and year and another to be published this of events past. There’s an example initiative a success. audio. Always on the cutting edge, he willingly shares his knowledge with newspapers across the state. fall. The historical societies hosted at: http://bit.ly/2auYl3d. There are also Thank you for considering this history scanning sessions for readers to share profiles of famous Hoosiers, with more initiative for the James W. Brown Digital Drive Award. This award honors an innovation or initiative launched their historical photos. being added as the bicentennial year within the contest period that seeks to reach new Those historical societies also progresses. Check out the profiles of Doug Ross readers or audiences using any resources available are partnering with The Times on a Indiana’s territorial and state governors Politics/History Editor to the newsroom. monthly series of NWI Next community to learn more than you would have The Times (Munster) conversations focusing on the Region’s imagined about Indiana’s history – This award may or may not be given annually at the judges’ discretion.

50th Annual HSPA Newsroom Seminar Sponsors The Hoosier State Press Association & Foundation extends a thank you to our 2016 sponsors George Garties & Steven Badger

Page 11 Websites: All divisions

Division 1 Division 3 Division 5

Division 2 Division 4 Division 6 Division 1 Second place Staff First place Third place Staff Jeffrey Sellers & Victoria Davis The Goshen News The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly The Indianapolis Recorder www.goshennews.com www.fwbusiness.com www.indianapolisrecorder.com Comments: Quality website with clean design, Comments: The content is deep and rich, with Third place intuitive navigation and lots of extras, including multimedia ranging from video to radio podcasts. Staff & Heather Bremer quality videos and photo galleries. The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) www.heraldbulletin.com/ Second place Staff Division 3 Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) First place Division 5 www.FlyerGroup.com Staff Comments: This is a solid overall online package, The Commercial Review (Portland) First place with excellent photo galleries and plenty of local www.thecr.com Staff The Republic (Columbus) content. Comments: The staff of the Commercial Record www.therepublic.com clearly gets it; they’re using their website for more Third place than another place to display their print stories. Debbie Blank, Diane Raver & There are multiple examples of staff-produced Second place Christopher Aune videos, strong photo galleries, and excellent Staff The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) interaction with Facebook and Twitter. Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com www.tribstar.com Comments: The Batesville Herald-Tribune uses Second place its rotating lead story to display a half-dozen Chris Pruett & Sabrina Stockrahm Third place packages, giving its site a feeling of deep local Greene County Daily World (Linton) Staff content. www.gcdailyworld.com The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: Strong digital elements, including a www.heraldtimesonline.com/ beginning attempt at a regular podcast, and a Division 2 number of staff and community blogs. Division 6 First place Third place Staff Staff First place The Salem Leader The News-Banner (Bluffton) Staff www.SalemLeader.com www.news-banner.com South Bend Tribune Comments: The overall feel is one of connecting Comments: Lots of local news is presented well, www.SouthBendTribune.com to the community, and that’s what a weekly with navigation bars that allow users to find their newspaper should be doing. own town or school. Second place Staff Second place Evansville Courier Press Denise Freitag Burdette www.courierpress.com Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) Division 4 www.thedcregister.com First place Third place Comments: This is a clean, pleasantly designed Staff Staff website with loads of local news and sports Palladium-Item (Richmond) The Times (Munster) posted daily. www.pal-item.com www.nwi.com

Page 12 Valentines bring life to terminal Division 1 Ryan Schwab has forced Harter into could get 40-50, that would Northwest News homebound instruction since be perfect,” Angela Harter (Huntertown) she was in second grade. said. “We are literally in Best News Coverage Under Deadline Sore cheeks from smiling She is currently an eighth- multiples of thousands of Pressure/Category 1 isn’t a typical symptom of grader. The disease has taken cards. Not to mention stuffed mitochondrial disease. two school years away from animals and candy and First place her. Her family calls them blankets. The post office has Ryan Schwab Then again, Taylor Harter “Taylor grades.” three crates to deliver.” Northwest News (Huntertown) isn’t a typical 15-year-old. Taylor Harter - Valentines Over the last year things In a two-day period, Comments: Lead paragraph emotionally draws the readers The smile could not be have gotten bad, and recently the Carroll Show Choirs into the story. Nice use of multiple voices in the story. removed from Harter’s face the disease has reached end- collected thousands of Thursday while she was stage and the family was valentines from multiple Second place entertained by the Carroll given devastating news. sources, including the 500- Matthew Crane Show Choirs, and on plus student body at Cedar Ferdinand News Monday, getting a chance to “We all just kind of Murder and mayhem withdrew,” her mother Canyon Elementary School. say thank you to the student They presented them to Comments: Word pictures painted by the author make the body at Cedar Canyon Angela said. reader want to devour this story, starting off with the sound of her during intermission of the shackles on the defendant during the court hearing. Elementary School had her That’s when Angela went Thursday’s “Preview Night” grinning from ear to ear. to social media. at Carroll High School where Third place “There are some upsides “I thought to message a Taylor was invited on stage, Sara Nahrwold to mitochondrial disease and few friends, and I picked taught dances and given Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) there are some downsides. like 100 that I knew that costumes to take home. Plainfield mosque vandalized My new friends and my had small kids that might Comments: Solid reporting on an issue that is not only valentine stuff (are upsides),” be writing out valentines. I important to the local community, but to our nation and world. Story can help bring healing to the town. Harter said. asked if they had an extra For complete story, see The terminal disease one, to drop it off in the mail www.hspafoundation.org to Tay. I thought that if I Click on “Contests.” Best News Coverage with No Deadline Pressure/Category 2 Run. Hide. Fight. Brian Kaufman walking down the school’s its intended, sobering effect. First place South Gibson Star-Times Brian Kaufman main hallway, scanning the About 70 members of South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) (Fort Branch) surroundings, when he spots Boonville’s Middle School Run. Hide. Fight. It’s just another damp, a classroom door. staff — who watched the Comments: Complete. Covers all angles. Graphics and December afternoon when images move the eye and compel reading. The man quickly tries the event up close and personal the tall man in the gray knob — it’s unlocked — and — were ready to hear how sweatshirt, green ball cap Second place ducks inside, only to unload to prevent and even handle Kathy Tretter and khakis walks through several more rounds. The an “active shooter” in their Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) the glass front doors of the Abraham Lincoln returns man has only taken a few midst. There’s nothing quite middle school. Comments: Great photos and layout. more steps down the hallway like seeing a loaded shotgun But he’s not the typical when he sees another door. go off in a school hallway Third place visitor. In his pocket is He rushes in and opens fire, to raise your heart rate or Justin Kiel a handgun, maybe a 9 The Regional News (LaCrosse) but when he re-emerges, questions in your mind about Concessions: Wanted, but not made millimeter. Under his he’s ditched his sweatshirt how you would deal with it. sweatshirt, strapped to his Comments: Love the dialogue in the beginning; sets the and is now brandishing the Indiana State Police have scene better than anything else could. back, is what looks like a shotgun. been offering the realistic black shotgun. “KABLAM! KABLAM!” “scenario-based” training to Once inside the front Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 Red shell casings fly schools across the state for office, he pulls the pistol through the air. “KABLAM! years, according to Sgt. Todd First place out of his pocket and opens KABLAM!” Ringle, public information Judi Turpen fire. With the door closed, Times-Post (Pendleton) And then, just like that, officer for the Evansville the shots sound deceptively Markleville issues it’s over. Another free District. Now they’ve Comments: Well written and understandable. Important issue quiet, like a cacophony of demonstration presented by For complete story, see that hits home for all residents. Each story provided new firecrackers from a distance. information. the Indiana State Police has www.hspafoundation.org Within seconds, he’s Click on “Contests.” Second place Sara Nahrwold Markleville on notice for sewer Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Judi Turpen help draft a procedure for 21 Home Ave. was full Brownsburg Schools hold series of forums Times-Post (Pendleton) ongoing maintenance of and overflowing. That Comments: Very thorough and personal reporting of a the 25-year-old system and homeowner said someone school bond issue that impacts a small community, and the The Town of Markleville education of its children. Clearly explaining the financing of has been given 30 days outline requirements for had come to repair it but was the project is a difficult task for a writer. to respond to state certification and experience instructed by a town official officials about a notice of of someone to oversee the to leave without completing Third place environmental violations maintenance. repairs. Justin Kiel – namely three incidents In the letter, state A lift station at 107 School The Regional News (LaCrosse) involving raw sewage officials said they inspected St. had been repaired but Coverage of the Proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad discharges. Comments: Congratulations on breaking and developing a residential pump stations previously had been over- story that needed to have light shone upon it. Be careful to Town Council President on July 21 after receiving flowing onto the lawn; in identify sources. In the first article a source was referred to, Landis Harper said he complaints about three addition, a temporary pump but not named. had been in contact properties. had been installed into the with architects Beam, At one home, across from pit so that sewage could be Longest and Neff and the 15 N. State St., inspectors pumped out of the pit and Indiana Department of noted a residential grinder onto the lawn at the home, Environmental Management pump recently had been according to the report. about the town’s failing repaired. During the repair, The investigators said the sewer system. sewage had been pumped out discharges were in violation During the regular meeting of the pit and onto the lawn of Indiana environmental of the town council Monday, of the home, the investigator Sept. 7, Harper said he asked reported. For complete story, see www.hspafoundation.org. Beam, Longest and Neff to Another station at Click on “Contests.” Page 13 Misbelief about addiction Division 1 Christopher Aune the serious drug peddlers, open until 2018, but he The Herald-Tribune and the subordinate slime hopes it will eventually Best General Commentary/Category 4 (Batesville) balls will take their place, provide accurate diagnoses First place The drug abuse solution motivated by the immense and referral to the best Christopher Aune is not all that hard to profits. So, imprisoning services for each diagnosis. The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) understand anymore. But hardened criminals is not With the best intentions, Comments: Cogent, informative, strong, well-reasoned, our leaders continue to work a complete or permanent they’ll show users what good everything commentary should be. on the basis of outdated solution for the root of the treatment can look like and assumptions. They address drug problem. then send them back onto Second place the street, where the root Kathy Tretter the supply and the demand, Just last year lawmakers Ferdinand News but the whole approach reduced penalties for less continues to grow unabated. Comments: I’m fairly certain this is the first time in the history misses the root cause of serious drug offenses In the previously of journalism that a chicken divan recipe included a reference addiction. because that overpopulated mentioned AIPA proposal, to penis size. Funny conversational style that works well. To address the supply side, our prisons and jails with the association attributed a on Dec. 9 the Association minor offenders. The prison variety of societal problems Third place to street drugs: “a 26 per- Debbie Blank of Indiana Prosecuting system became the biggest The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) Attorneys proposed long mental health and addiction cent increase in Department Comments: A mixed bag, but a strong entry on transgender prison terms for drug services provider in Indiana, of Child Services abuse and makes this a winner. dealers who do serious but providing services to neglect reports in the last crimes, like murder and drug users and small-time year,” “almost 90 percent of Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 robbing pharmacies. That dealers in jail didn’t solve Child in Need of Services cases are related to substance First place improves community safety the root problem. Miles Flynn temporarily. On Dec. 16, Gov. Mike abuse,” “intravenous drug abuse has created an The Paoli News-Republican But it’s like clipping Pence proposed a new Comments: Fantastic series defending newspapers’ mission the flower off a dandelion. mental health facility. to tell readers what’s actually happening in their community, The root will put out a new The $120 million Neuro For complete story, see even when they don’t like it. www.hspafoundation.org. blossom pretty quick. Nip Diagnostic Institute won’t Click on “Contests.” Second place Lucretia Cardenas The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Why’s the paper out to get me? Miles Flynn Comments: Strong and direct. Well done. Kelly Minton explains, “The defendant ends up facing The Paoli News-Republican police officers book them in court don’t match what Third place Unfortunately, anger on charges they believe, showed up in the arrest Debbie Blank seems to be about the based on their training report, those preliminary The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) strongest motivator there and experience, there may charges are still the grounds Comments: Good in-depth knowledge of local issues. is for people to pick up the be probable cause for. for the arrest. phone (or fire off an email) Holly [Hudelson, Deputy The bad news is that’s to voice their feelings on Prosecutor] and I then Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ where the issue stops being something that’s been in the review the report and file quite so simple. Category 6 newspaper, and one of the what we believe, based on Flash forward in time most common examples our training and experience First place to when the charges are Aimee Ambrose of that type of contact is a as lawyers and prosecutors, ultimately resolved. It The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly reaction to how we reported there is probable cause for could be weeks or months Production output in Fort Wayne MSA hobbles forward on interaction the reader or and what we could prove in later. The defendant could Comments: This comprehensive article is well written, a loved one had with the court. We may not always utilizing detailed information, strong sources and quotes that be convicted on all of the criminal justice system. file every charge that may add interest. apply if there are lesser charges or just some of the The top complaint, and included offenses, or if charges. A plea deal may one of the easiest calls to Second place there is a serious felony have been accepted, possibly Scott Slade address, is the charges listed charge we may not file all meaning lesser charges. (Or Times-Post (Pendleton) in an arrest story don’t match New solar farm the misdemeanors that may the County Prosecutor could the charges the person is Comments: Interesting article about a new solar power field apply.” have filed no charges at all.) that provides good information to educate readers about the facing in court. The caller is Then the complaint call is a technology without getting bogged down in numbers and sometimes right, but that still He sums it up as filing lot tougher and deep background. It tells readers how they are impacted doesn’t mean the story in the the most serious charges through a variety of sources. newspaper is incorrect. evidence would support. For complete story, see www.hspafoundation.org. Orange County Prosecutor Even if the charges a Click on “Contests.” Third place Brian Kaufman South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) Production output hobbles forward Gibsonopoly is quickly getting businesses on board Aimee Ambrose growing near as fast as it was provided, is $20 billion in Comments: A fun read; the details about businesses buying The Greater Fort Wayne coming out of the recession,” current dollars. certain spots in the game made it personal. Information box Business Weekly is also a good addition to the article. said Kurt Rankin, a regional While the area is still Fort Wayne Mayor economist with PNC Bank. growing, real GDP for Tom Henry’s 2015 “While jobs continue to be U.S. metropolitan areas, reelection campaign ran added to the economy on the collectively, rose 2.3 percent on an optimistic theme of whole, and there are some in 2014 and 1.9 percent in generating more momentum gains to be had from that, 2013. for the city. what’s keeping growth from strengthening is businesses Among the industries in As he touted plans and the Fort Wayne metro area, projects as drivers for near- trying to preserve profit margins.” construction shrank by term and long-term growth, 0.14 percent in 2014 from new federal data cast a stark The real gross domestic 2013, the information sector light on economic issues product in the Fort Wayne fell by 0.19 percent, and that have dogged local metropolitan statistical area, transportation and utilities momentum. which includes Wells and decreased by 0.08 percent, Industrial output growth Whitley counties, grew by according to the data. 0.4 percent to $ 18.6 billion has slowed to a crawl The finance, insurance and in the Fort Wayne area. in 2014 based on the dollar’s 2(X)9 value, advance real estate industry rose by Symptoms include tepid new 0.05 percent, while the arts, investments by employers statistics by the Bureau of Economic Analysis show. and difficulty finding skilled For complete story, see workers for jobs. When adjusted for inflation, www.hspafoundation.org. the GDP , the measure of Click on “Contests.” “Fort Wayne is not goods produced and services Page 14 Broken believers Division 1 County kudos

Headline Writing/Category 7 Dawgs dominate

First place Kyle Lewis Kyle Lewis Times-Post (Pendleton) Times-Post (Pendleton) Broken believers // County kudos // Dawgs dominate Comments: Very effective use of words in comparing those incarcerated with being broken but having the hope of Student on ‘The Tonight Show’ bettering themselves through religion. Sara Nahrwold invention, with help from his be able to be inspired by Hendricks County Flyer parents. His father helped something,” she said. Second place (Avon) Scott Slade with the physical assembly After the videos were sent Times-Post (Pendleton) Not every 10-year-old can while his mother helped with in, Smith received an email Raising the volumes // Marshal snuffs out smoke at say they’ve been on “The the reporting and practice station // Cool runnings from the casting producer Tonight Show.” But Isaiah with public speaking. of “The Tonight Show,” Comments: As a former teacher, I’ve always thought that Koonce can. book sharing is a good idea. The headline was a good way There is a battery powered wanting to get a hold of of drawing the reader to the article. The fourth-grader at leaf blower in a backpack Isaiah to come on the show. Cardinal Elementary School that Isaiah wears, which “I was super surprised,” Third place shared his ‘snow blower then feeds into tubing down she said. “I didn’t think that Scott Slade shoes’ invention Dec. 2 to by his feet, blowing out the Times-Post (Pendleton) was going to happen.” Storied seeds / / Testing the waters // Perennial Jimmy Fallon and a national snow. audience. Summer Koonce and her performer For the past six years, husband had just been to Comments: An interesting article (what of it I could read) with As part of a project the students in Allyson New York a few weeks prior a good, catchy headline. last March called ‘be an Smith’s class (with signed to celebrate their wedding inventor,’ the third-grader at permission slips) have sent anniversary when Smith Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 the time learned along with short video clips to “The called about the show. his peers how to think like an Ellen DeGeneres Show” and First place inventor and watched videos “The Tonight Show” in the “We were floored,” Sara Nahrwold on how inventors get ideas. hopes of getting a chance to Summer said. “We’re fans Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) demonstrate an invention. of the show and always have Local student showcases invention on ‘The Tonight His invention blows snow been.” Show’ out of his way when he “It’s important to learn by Comments: All-around fun feature, great lede, great photos walks. The idea originally doing through projects like Isaiah had his own and something worth sharing with the community. Solid and came from walking home this,” Smith said. dressing room at the show. notable. from a friend’s house. Part of his wardrobe was a “I think we are building white lab coat that he got to Second place “I walked through the problem solvers, we are keep. His dressing room was Aimee Ambrose snow and it got in my building creative thinkers, right next to Adam Driver The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly shoes,” he said. “It felt all we are building kids who Taking care of business of “Star Wars: The Force gross.” are going to lead the next Awakens.” Comments: Very interesting and fun premise for an article generation, and they have with solid execution, including great writing and photos. It took him a couple For complete story, see of weeks to complete his to be able to think outside www.hspafoundation.org. Third place the box and they’ve got to Click on “Contests.” Donald Steen The Spencer County Journal-Democrat Thank you, Romilda Battling back after suicide attempt Comments: Great community news and full of names and faces. Given the number of students (more than 6,000) who Debbie Blank snowballing effect that “can Instead of being a graduated while Romilda was school secretary for 45 years, The Herald-Tribune become insurmountable.” messenger, however, the this article probably brings back many memories for many (Batesville) readers. The sadness — “the dispatcher summoned “I was so sad.” hardest thing I’ve ever Schwipps’ fellow volunteer Ben Schwipps was facing been through in my life” — firefighters to his home. A Best Profile Feature/Category 9 a divorce and in a deep persisted. medical helicopter landed on the street to get him to First place depression. Suicide “became more and Debbie Blank University of Cincinnati The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) The 40-year-old “did more viable to me.” Medical Center’s trauma Battling back after a suicide attempt everything I thought to do” So one day in August unit. Physicians stabilized Comments: Debbie Blank showed her writing skills in to lessen the pain. 2015, he watched an episode him, but didn’t operate for recounting the story of a suicide survivor and his quest to He tried to reconcile with of “ F r i e n d s , ” then put three days, expecting him to help others. This feature was among the best in developing his ex-wife. a gun containing one bullet die long before that. a story. He took his maximum underneath his chin and Shelia Merkel, 53, Second place dosage depression pulled the trigger. Cincinnati, formerly of Lisa Hoppenjans medication, though not Instead of striking his Batesville, wanted to Ferdinand News visit her co-worker at the A Father’s Day tale consistently. “It was more brain, somehow the bullet than medication could even went through his tongue and hospital. The Forethought Comments: Dozens of stories have been written about a child and parent reconnecting after many years. Lisa curb.” lodged in a sinus cavity. He Financial Group assistant Hoppenjans put together a good feature that keeps readers Schwipps saw a therapist never lost consciousness, vice president of annuity wondering what’s next. once a week, “but it didn’t felt no pain, but had operations walked to his help.” “humongous ringing in my bedside. She recalls, “He Third place ears.” Schwipps’ emotions? immediately recognized me. Steven Penn The Osgood man did “Shock, scared to death, He put his hand to his heart Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) things with his two sons. An Olympic dream disappointed.” He wanted and thumped his fist to his He buried himself in work to go into another room to chest. He wrote quickly on Comments: Steven Penn does a good job of recounting the as a business analyst at story of a Chinese woman’s effort to excel at softball. He puts get more bullets, but tried to a small whiteboard, ‘I am so it all together for an interesting feature. Forethought Financial stand up and fell down. glad you came.’ I expected Group, Batesville, a Global to see a defeated man, but Atlantic company. He may have bled to death but for one idea. The man instead I saw the resilience Depression “hit me with wanted to say goodbye to his of the human spirit. I saw the both fists in the last year and wife, but couldn’t see to dial old Ben that I knew.” a half .... One incident can her number. It was easier to really take your depression punch in 911 and try to get For complete story, see from mild to wild.” Other the dispatcher to pass along a www.hspafoundation.org. problems can create a message. Click on “Contests.”

Page 15 t Living in Gibson Division 1 Alden Heuring, Brian county’s homes available for said, is finding places Kaufman & Eric Gogel sale, people who come here to build new homes that South Gibson Star-Times to work often aren’t able to aren’t cost-prohibitive for Best In-Depth Feature or Feature (Fort Branch) Package/Category 10 find a place to live. a developer. Bledsoe and Eighty-two. In February “I’ve had a lot of people Bottoms said there are First place 2015, that’s how many call me saying they want three main obstacles to Alden Heuring, Brian Kaufman & Eric Gogel homes were listed for sale in to live here, because they housing development in South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) all of Gibson County. Living Gibson work here, but they’re Gibson County: taxation, Comments: “Living Gibson” by the South Gibson Star-Times Is that bad? By contrast, trying to find housing,” infrastructure and soil. (Fort Branch) staff shows what an in-depth feature can pres- Evansville has 921 homes— county commissioner Gerald “There’s a lot of ground in ent to readers. Each of the three segments is well-written about 11 times more homes Bledsoe said. “Most of these Gibson County that’s just not and an interesting read on the city’s housing situation. than all of Gibson County— people have kids, so they’re suitable for septic systems listed for sale as of Monday. Second place looking for something because of the soil. You’ve Amy Hillenburg & Bryan Ault “We do have a housing between $150,000 and got to have a certain type The Mooresville/Decatur Times problem,” County $200,000. We just don’t have of soil work a septic system I-69 objections Commissioner Steve that much available.” fill bed, and we have a lot of Comments: The Mooresville-Decatur Times produced a sec- Bottoms said. “We’re short areas that can’t do that. ond-place entry not far behind the winner. This also shows a About 6,000 people strong effort at taking an extended look at a local issue. on housing and we need commute into the county to “Without the ability to more.” work, and the commissioners install a septic system, Third place With Toyota already say that’s an un-tapped contractors are reliant on Brian Kaufman in the county and more market of home buyers. having sewer access and South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) opportunities for industrial “The market is there,” that’s something that’s The Publisher’s daughters mostly lacking outside city Comments: Brian Kauffman’s feature on preserving history growth along the I-69 Bledsoe said. “If you build through an old newspaper doesn’t fit the mold for an in-depth corridor, there’s no shortage a house in Gibson County, it and town limits. report, but it does take a solid look at a topic and presents it of jobs in Gibson County. normally sells pretty quick.” For complete story, see well. However, with only one The problem, Bledsoe www.hspafoundation.org. half of one percent of the Click on “Contests.” Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 First place Dawgs dominate Rob Hunt Rob Hunt to a 59-37 win against said. “And we did a really Times-Post (Pendleton) Times-Post (Pendleton) Indianapolis Howe to claim good job on all three. To Dawgs dominate “That’s what can happen the IHSAA Class 2A State outrebound a team like that Comments: Great lede. Story is clear, concise and thorough. when no one cares who gets Championship. had a lot to do with the way Excellent coverage. the credit.” Lapel (26-4) was able the game played out. The kids came out and played With those words to a to use its size advantage Second place with a lot of energy, and Dylan Trimpe packed Lapel High School and patient possession this is a team that just plays Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) gymnasium, Bulldogs head offense to consistently together. They don’t care Eiler’s walk off gives Orioles first state title basketball coach Jimmie score easy baskets inside. who scores; they just play Comments: Good lede with nice quotes. Writer does a great Howell summed up the The 6-foot-6 Richardson job of putting readers in the game. together.” 2015-16 season, which had scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead Playing together has been Third place culminated just hours earlier Nick Goralczyk at Bankers Life Fieldhouse the Bulldogs, while senior a calling card of the Bulldogs The Mail-Journal (Milford) in Indianapolis. Tristan Carpenter, at 6-4, all season. It was further Tomatoes trip up Warriors added 12 points and nine evidenced in Saturday’s title What happened was Comments: Great community journalism on display here. boards as Lapel won the game as Lapel handed out complete domination, from Writer takes an eating contest and covers it like any other rebounding battle with the 14 assists on its 22 made the moment junior JonRoss sport. Average Joe enjoys a story like this from time to time. smaller but athletic Hornets, field goals. Even the assist Richardson won the opening 38-34, and outscored Howe category was evenly divided tip. Lapel jumped out to a 36-16 in the paint. as Carpenter and fellow Best Sports News or Feature Coverage 6-0 lead and never trailed. A senior Kamron Herrington Category 12 19-2 run, which included a “We came into the game wanting to stop their dished out four apiece with First place first-quarter buzzer-beating Dylan Trimpe 3-pointer by sophomore transition game, keep them For complete story, see Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Austin Lyons, put the game off the offensive rebounds www.hspafoundation.org. Mission to Assist out of reach as Lapel rolled and out of the paint,” Howell Click on “Contests.” Comments: The story started a little slowly, but had some great examples of charity work at its finest. Nice job of telling the story.

Second place Mission to Assist celebrates first year Lori Wood Dylan Trimpe in Indianapolis. Coach Doss would log every assist that Times-Post (Pendleton) Hendricks County Flyer admitted that he did not led to a goal. It was Doss’ Game changer (Avon) expect to raise that much plan to help teach his players Comments: Nice job of explaining the challenges of moving to the next level. When John Doss and the money, but that some of his to value the hard work that Brownsburg boys’ lacrosse players certainly did. led to points instead of just Third place team began their fundraising “When we met at wanting all of the glory that Steve Page venture, the estimated the library and got our came with scoring goals. The Mooresville/Decatur Times amounts they thought they Monrovia native chosen as voice of the 500 framework together, I Not to leave anything out, would raise were all over the thought it would be fun to the values later extended to Comments: Good story; could have used more quotes from place. the man himself. write down a number of “hockey assists,” which are Sitting at a table with his how much we thought it the passes that come right assistants and three of his would raise. I wrote down before a goal assist. Hard players, Devon Steinman, $4,300,” he said. “One of fought ground balls and Trey Gammon and Ty the assistants wrote down tough defense that led to a Mason, numbers in the four $10,000, one of the kids change in possession are and five figure range were wrote down $12,000, and other things that Doss has tossed around. another wrote down $20,000. taught his players to hold to At the end of the season, So, we were kind of all a higher standard. after all the money was over the place. I was not Coach Doss has been counted, the team’s Mission expecting as much as we extremely impressed with got.” to Assist program raised For complete story, see nearly $10,000 for a budding The way that the program www.hspafoundation.org. Wheelchair Lacrosse team would earn money is that it Click on “Contests.”

Page 16 NASCAR to revamp qualifying Division 1 Steve Page NASCAR’s top echelon – do have large monitors all The Mooresville/Decatur the cup, regardless of title around the facility, but that Times sponsor – more interesting. does not make it any less There once was a time So the NASCAR brass opted boring. Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 in figure skating, where for the “Chase” format, in Even having the fastest First place something called “school which drivers with enough 12 drivers from the first Steve Page figures” figured into the season points get to compete The Mooresville/Decatur Times qualifying session start over sport’s scoring, even at the in the “Chase for the Cup.” again in a “shootout” format Comments: Great variety of columns. Nice job in the cat- uppermost levels. The others race along as they egory. did little to curry favor with Skaters would skate back would in a normal race. the fans. It’s not really a Second place and forth in front of the Unfortunately, the shootout when there’s only Brian Bohne judges, tracing figures on the NASCAR people opted to one shooter out there. Where Ferdinand News ice. Judges would mark their not change the way they would the Wild West have scores on the degree of the qualify. Heat races? Nah. been with only one shooter tracings. Qualifying while they at a gunfight? Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 Definitely not a spectator practice, as in Formula One? Interestingly enough, they sport. Nope. qualified through heats in See Page 67 for all divisions. Then those who make the Just one car at a time. the Camping World Truck rules saw the folly of this That’s how they qualified Series earlier in the week at part of skating, which could on Saturday for the Jeff Tony Stewart’s dirt track that be compared to NASCAR Kyle 400 at the Indianapolis is Eldora Speedway. Great qualifying. Motor Speedway, playing competition, great fun, and before a crowd of just about definitely not boring. So they completely did no one. away with this part of They used the same format skating, electing to just use The television announcers there a year earlier, so there short programs before the do their best, trying to make has been enough time to final long programs. Now, it sound exciting, with many study the results. spectators could enjoy their driver interviews, but there’s Among the other things favorite skaters doing what nothing quite like watching NASCAR has done they do best – skate actively one car circulate around is to dissuade people and competitively. the 2½- mile IMS layout. from displaying the Watch your favorite driver For complete story, see There was also a push go by, then wait for him to www.hspafoundation.org. a few years ago to make come back around. Yes, they Click on “Contests.”

Page 17 Division 1

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Eric Tretter Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) Dive

Second place Jessica Shinn The Loogootee Tribune Whoops!

Third place Carole Brown Springs Valley Herald (French Lick) Baby saved from burning car

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Clayton Doty The Benton Review (Fowler) Salute at memorial

Second place Kristy Deer Times-Post (Pendleton) Google goggles

Third place Debbie Blank The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) Batesville High School graduation

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Lynn O’Hara The Regional News (LaCrosse) Prayer circle

Second place Nick Goralczyk The Mail-Journal (Milford) Two-timing Tristin

Third place Jeremy Nichols The Paoli News-Republican Water girl

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Eric Tretter Ferdinand News Pole vault

Second place Dorian McDaniel Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Track action

Third place Ryan Schwab Northwest News (Huntertown) Savannah Shearer on the beam

Page 18 Division 1

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Amber Nixon South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch) Sienna the dog

Second place Eric Tretter Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) The Lincolns

Third place Dorian McDaniel Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Stock car series

Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Eric Tretter Ferdinand News Color run

Second place Alison Graham Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) 4-H family immersed in preparation for fair

Third place Sara Nahrwold Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Event raises money for county museum

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Staff Times-Post (Pendleton) Broken believers

Second place Staff Times-Post (Pendleton) June Jamboree

Third place Staff Times-Post (Pendleton) PHHS Sunsation

Page 19 Division 1 Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Debbie Blank, Diane Raver & Christopher Aune The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) Comments: Good local content that shows the newspaper is in touch with its community.

Second place Kyle Lewis Times-Post (Pendleton) Comments: Good design. Could use more local content.

Third Place Staff Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand)

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place Cheryl Hurst & Brittney Lundy Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) Comments: Use of graphics is ultimately used to tell a story. There is no doubt about the story told here. If all you see are the graphics, you get it.

Second place Beth Welty The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Comments: Very creative use of graphics to get the ideas across. I liked the diversity in each presentation, showing great creativity.

Third place Jessica Shinn & Alan Williams The Loogootee Tribune Comments: Simple graphics told the story. Good job.

Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place Kyle Lewis, Rob Hunt & Lori Wood Times-Post (Pendleton) Comments: Page design in a class of its own. Superior plan- ning and organization. Typography on point. Kudos to this publication.

Second place Michael Haynes & Dax Lowery Hendricks County Flyer (Avon)

Third place Brian Bohne Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) Comments: Clean layouts. Strong editorial voice in copy makes stories readable. Content appears to be balanced. AP Style errors noted.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Kyle Lewis & Kristy Deer Times-Post (Pendleton) Schools Comments: Excellent section on schools; solid news round-up, great features and photos and plenty of names and faces!

Second place Kyle Lewis & Kristy Deer Times-Post (Pendleton) Schools

Third place Staff The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly In Focus Comments: This is quality as what one wants from a business/real estate section. Reporting is from someone who knows the beat.

Page 20 Division 1

Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Kyle Lewis Times-Post (Pendleton) Comments: Stands out visually. Photos could be better, but design utilizes varied type faces, white space, and story packaging that anchors pages. Simple items like mug shots are used well to balance designs.

Second place Debbie Blank & Diane Raver The Herald-Tribune (Batesville) Comments: Pages are technically fine but show little variation in design. Photos need to be stronger. Use of mug shots is helpful.

Third place Brian Kaufman & Eric Gogel South Gibson Star-Times (Fort Branch)

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Tracey Robideau, Lucretia Cardenas & Beth Welty The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Meeting and Event Guide Comments: A great example of how every event guide should look. I would find this super helpful if I was from the area or looking to host an event in the area. A+.

Second place Tracey Robideau, Ray Steup & Lucretia Cardenas The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Forty under 40 Awards 2016 Comments: Great job in taking what could have been a traditional, boring Q&A and turning it into something people will read.

Third place Larry D. Hembree The Loogootee Tribune Tall Among Men

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Staff The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Working and struggling

Second place Kathy Tretter & Brodie Gress Ferdinand News Domestic and sexual violence

Third place Staff Hendricks County Flyer (Avon) Severe weather safety

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Barb Hasting & Brittney Lundy Ferdinand News Comments: Your readers are treated to a newspaper that views each page as important. Great job from start to finish.

Second place Barb Hasting & Brittney Lundy Spencer County Leader (Ferdinand) Comments: Tasteful and interesting use of design to tell the stories.

Third place Kyle Lewis Times-Post (Pendleton) Comments: Not overwhelming design, but solid and tastefully done. Nice job in a strong category.

Page 21 Killing of mother, son stuns Division 2 Marda Johnson issue a statement through in a montage of sweet and Zionsville Times Sentinel the Boone County Sheriff’s happy moments — the Best News Coverage Under Deadline A Zionsville mother and Department, which took family of three standing, Pressure/Category 1 her small son, apparently the lead in investigating the smiling on a covered bridge, double homicide in the quiet, little Raymond IV tossing First place murdered by a relative over Marda Johnson a trust fund, were laid to rest upscale neighborhood on the an armful of leaves at his Zionsville Times Sentinel over the weekend. outskirts of town. laughing mother, Katie and Double homicide Raymond III in Colts gear Family and friends “Katie and Raymond Comments: Good use of police sources and social media to mugging for the camera gathered to say goodbye to IV were my entire family weave together tragic story when family didn’t want to talk. during a game in Lucas Oil Katherine Giehll, 31, and and the hole their loss Stadium, and many more 4-year-old Raymond IV, leaves is unexplainable,” Second place of the toddler — grinning Sunday, Feb. 21, at ARN Raymond Giehll III said in Suzannah Couch, Ben Kibbey & Sara Clifford out from a window of a Funeral and Cremation the statement. “We know Brown County Democrat (Nashville) backyard playset, standing Hatchet attack Services. that they are in God’s watchful arms and ask in the snow wearing a sock Comments: Nice use of police and classmate interviews; well Raymond Giehll III, the written. for your prayers for our monkey cap and a too-big husband and father of the family. We appreciate all scarf, sitting on Santa’s lap. victims, was not at home the condolences that we Katherine “Katie” Giehll Third place when his wife and son Sara Clifford have received. At this time, was shot three times near were murdered. But he had Brown County Democrat (Nashville) we ask that we be given the the front door of her home at received a text from his wife, ‘Doc’ at odds with state licensing board respect and time to grieve 6833 Old Hunt Club Road, saying that her uncle, Lucius Comments: Human interest, explainer and personality profile that we deserve. The loss of Zionsville, on Wednesday, all rolled into one news story. Hamilton, was at the house. Katie and Raymond IV is an Feb. 17, her 31st birthday. After that he could not reach unbelievable and tragic event Her son, Raymond Giehll IV, her, so he hurried home only in our lives.” was shot once as he watched Best News Coverage with No Deadline to find the unimaginable. Photos from Katherine’s TV in the living room. Pressure/Category 2 The family did not wish For complete story, see own Facebook page give to speak publicly, but did www.hspafoundation.org. First place a glimpse of what was lost Click on “Contests.” Stuart Cassidy Perry County News (Tell City) Taking aim Comments: Nice array of comments, but could have Taking aim on the gun-control benefited from more specifics about proposed reg changes Stuart Cassidy shielded from the violence views lean, as of right now, and comments from gun owners. Perry County News (Tell City) that is rendered in larger federal laws will not prevent An executive decision by metropolitan areas, Like law abiding citizens from Second place President Barack Obama Chicago, Los Angeles, exercising their rights. But Denise Freitag Burdette Washington, D.C., or even concerns that those freedoms Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) to tighten restrictions on Neighbors fear development may disturb cemetery gun-purchasing requirements Indianapolis for that matter, may be impeded on in the Comments: Good hyper-local coverage. Could have has spurred debate across and even further removed future is reason enough to be benefited from description of cemetery. Did reporter visit? the nation. Locally, like in from acts of terrorism that alarmed for some. most places, these political have recently developed in But much like the armed Third place talks evoke emotions from this country. stand¬off in Oregon has Andrea McCann both sides: those backing Perry Countians who shown, the grips of the Zionsville Times Sentinel increased legislation for gun- Dumpster dog finds furever home favor citizens’ rights over discourse can rear its head control and those favoring more regulation may claim a in the most innocuous Comments: Who doesn’t love a happy ending story about less stringent oversight in a dog that got dumped? Leading with comments from cop distinction from those cities places. While the protest rather than PR person would have made for stronger start. efforts to promote Second in that the gun culture in this there is peaceful for now, Amendment rights. community differs because it the world watches as the As fever-pitched as the is derived from lifelong roots federal government deals Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 debate may be in the national in hunting, with a heritage delicately with a group of media, business here at of firearm safety that goes militiamen called “Citizens First place back generations. On the for Constitutional Freedom.” Andrea McCann home goes on in mostly Zionsville Times Sentinel uninterrupted fashion. converse, those supporting The occupiers of the federal Jared Fogle Child Exploitation Case As a rural area secluded new restrictions hearken to lands say they are intent on Comments: What happens when local boy made good goes in the shadows of the the safety of the public as a ensur¬ing the government bad? Jared Fogle’s fall from grace was documented expertly Hoosier National Forest, paramount motivation. For complete story, see by his hometown newspaper. www.hspafoundation.org. Perry County is principally Whichever way individual Click on “Contests.” Second place Staff Feds raid Subway guy’s home Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Flood of 2015 Andrea McCann FBI special agent, said street from the Fogles said Zionsville Times Sentinel Comments: Every angle is covered in this ongoing reporting, only that the “Indianapolis Fogle seems like a really with visuals, stats and stories that give a complete picture of Federal and state agents office of FBI is conducting normal guy. the devastation caused by historic flooding. raided the Zionsville home investigative activity in the “I can’t imagine anything of Subway spokesman Jared area, the nature of which like this,” Schrader said. He Third place Fogle around 6:30 a.m. cannot be disclosed at this said he thought Fogle was Suzannah Couch Tuesday, July 7, as part of a time.” Brown County Democrat (Nashville) training for the New York Brown County’s war on drugs child porn investigation. A corporate Subway City Marathon, although Comments: The scourge of drug addiction knows no bound- The federal Internet spokesman said: “We are mostly on a treadmill rather aries. Informative and well-written series. Crimes Against Children shocked about the news and than outdoors. task force is the lead agency believe it is related to a prior “He’s a pretty private on the investigation. investigation of a former guy,” Schrader said. “It was Jared Foundation employee. Fogle’s home is at 4578 rare to see him outside.” We are very concerned Woods Edge Drive in the and will be monitoring the Authorities removed Austin Oaks subdivision. situation closely. We don’t electronics from the home, Fogle walked out of his have any more details at this and they are being analyzed home in the pouring rain to point.” inside a mobile forensics van his attorney’s black Lexus at in the home’s driveway. An 12:15 p.m. Tuesday. He was The local Subway FBI agent and U.S. Postal not handcuffed and did not manager declined to Service inspector were make any comment. comment. spotted leaving the scene. Wendy Osborne, Neighbor Jacob Schrader, For complete story, see Indianapolis Office of the 19, who lives across the www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 22 Some advice for our new mayor Division 2 Amos Brown their and our city/county’s utility bills from IPL and The Indianapolis Recorder peril. Citizens Energy, and that Best General Commentary/Category 4 It’s amazing in a campaign percentage is only going to Well, after a long, that talked about lots of increase. First place somewhat boring mayoral Amos Brown issues, the problem of Mayor Greg Ballard had campaign, we have a Mayor- The Indianapolis Recorder affordable housing was no strategy for (and really elect — Joe Hogsett. ignored. didn’t give a damn about) Let me offer my Second place As I mentioned to increasing the amount of Andrea McCann congratulations and some you during the debate, affordable housing. Zionsville Times Sentinel words of advice and warning Indianapolis ranks eighth of We don’t know if those for Indianapolis’ 49th mayor. America’s 20 largest cities increasing costs are one of Third place My advice, from an elder Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor in the percentage of renters the contributors to rising The Corydon Democrat community servant/leader, who’re spending over 30 crime in our neighborhoods, was contained in some of percent of their annual but I can’t help but think it the issues I brought up to income on rent and utilities. could be. you last Friday during that Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 The 2014 Census Mayor-elect, you sort of final mayor’s debate on our American Community ignored the fact that last year First place “Afternoons with Amos” Bryce Mayer Survey (ACS) reported the amount of city business program. North Vernon Plain Dealer 57.1 percent of Indianapolis that went to minority- You danced around the renters spend 30 percent owned businesses was just 6 Second place issues I raised, but they or more of their income percent. The city’s goal is 15 Ross Schulz aren’t going away, because on utilities and rent. That’s percent. The Corydon Democrat they strike at the heart of higher than cities like That’s a 60 percent drop, the major problems facing Houston, Chicago, Phoenix a stunning reversal of Third place Indianapolis — problems my and Dallas. something Mayor Ballard Stuart Cassidy friends at Indy’s mainstream Perry County News (Tell City) Median rent in this city is media continue to ignore. For complete story, see $788. Add in the growing www.hspafoundation.org. But they and you do so at Click on “Contests.” Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ Category 6 All men are created equal First place Bryce Mayer discriminatory laws half a rights, privileges and benefits Ben Kibbey North Vernon Plain Dealer Brown County Democrat (Nashville) century ago and then again of law no matter their Internet: Luxury or utility? Don’t discriminate. last week. ethnicity or sexual makeup. Comments: Very well done. Takes a high-tech issue affect- Not against LGBT and Critics then and now To deny them any of those ing all homeowners and businesses and makes it personal. sick people, not against decried the decisions as rights, which was the case Covers a lot of ground. The information box is a nice addi- anybody. That’s what the being immoral and going with most in the LGBT tion. U.S. Supreme Court said counter to “God’s law.” They population (depending on last week in two landmark ignore the immorality of the states where they live) Second place decisions that reaffirm what not giving the same rights until last week, is simply Ben Kibbey unconstitutional. Brown County Democrat (Nashville) makes America great. as most Americans enjoy to Tourist homes in Brown County Last Friday’s ruling people of different races and The criticism that same- Comments: Thorough article overall. Still more details that legalizing same-sex marriage different sexual orientations. sex marriage is an issue for could be included. Info boxes are used well. is a victory for equal rights. All men are all created individual states to decide Before then throughout most equal, as President Abraham rings hollow, too. The U.S. Third place of America, gay and lesbian Lincoln said during the fight Constitution is, after all, the Ben Kibbey to end slavery 150 years ago, top law of the land. And, Brown County Democrat (Nashville) couples could not marry. It County seeking mountain biking compass was just like 50 years ago a tenet that was reinforced again, aren’t all men created equal? Comments: Addresses the topic well, from several perspec- when many states forbade in the U.S. Constitution with tives. Could be more detailed in places. couples of different races the adoption of the 14th It was high time that this from marrying. In fact, it’s Amendment. issue was decided. Opinion no different whatsoever. The arguments for polls show a decided That’s why the Supreme legalizing same-sex marriage majority of Americans favor Court based their decisions mirror the same ones as for For complete story, see on the 14th Amendment mixed-race marriage. All www.hspafoundation.org. to correctly strike down Americans deserve the same Click on “Contests.” Luxury or Utility? Ben Kibbey other option,” Bright said. Now, Bright uses a cellular Brown County Democrat hotspot to work from his (Nashville) So, Bright used DSL, which works over normal home north of Fruitdale. It David Bright moved to phone lines and doesn’t get is faster than his old DSL Brown County about 15 weather interference, like connection. years ago. Most of that time, satellite can. It can cost more than $200 he was commuting an hour The fastest speed he could per month during his busiest each way to Indianapolis months. to work for an insurance get at the time allowed company. 3 megabits-per-second But it’s worth it to live in download speed from the Brown County and not spend About seven years ago, Internet to the computer, two hours on the road every employees were told they and 512 kilobits-per-second workday, he said. could take their work home upload speed, from the Lay of the land with them, permanently. computer to the Internet They could telecommute — As local leaders look work online from home. “It was barely enough,” to build Brown County’s Bright said. But the offer wasn’t for economy, telecommuters everyone. The company Like taking a shower and and Internet-based home had minimum Internet running a washing machine businesses are often connection requirements. at the same time, anyone else mentioned for their potential using the Internet at home to be high income earners “They specifically said could interrupt file transfers For complete story, see they do not want satellite and slow his work. www.hspafoundation.org. unless there’s absolutely no Click on “Contests.”

Page 23 Have you herd? Cows return Division 2 Downtown cavity filled

Headline Writing/Category 7 Sizzlin’: Bacon success

First place Staff Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Have you herd? // Downtown cavity filled // Sizzlin’: Fistful of Bacon tasting success Comments: Clever play on words. Memorial bluegrass festival Second place Ben Kibbey have often joined together money to pay for the marker, Denise Freitag Burdette Brown County Democrat to play. But even if they had said Ken Birkemeier, a The Journal-Press (Aurora) (Nashville) never met before, there are volunteer. A Soleful journey // Is something important headed to One man steps up with a no strangers in a bluegrass “It was a labor of love,” AEP site? // Yeast sufficates, barley dies to cure what guitar and a circle starts to jam circle. They are all ales you Reichmann said. form. The humming melody Monroe’s family here. Comments: Good blend of picture and headline. Monroe wasn’t just begins as a dozen stringed Marking history instruments are tuned. a pioneer, he was the Third place The musicians were at pioneer, said Sam Jackson, Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor On the green grass beneath the park June 7, along with a bluegrass musician The Corydon Democrat the sign that declares “Bill ISTEP tests, scores fail with educators // Pre-event local dignitaries and many of and friend of Monroe’s. tizzy nothing but hog wash // Doughboy remembered Monroe Memorial Music Monroe’s oldest friends, to Monroe created the sound for rising quickly in baking world Park and Campground,” unveil an Indiana historical of bluegrass through trial Comments: As a former teacher and parent, this headline the bluegrass family that marker at the edge of State and error, Jackson said. He caught my attention. Monroe founded is having a Road 135 North, just north didn’t have the incredible gathering. of the park’s entrance. library of recordings and The circle is like a family patterns available to modern Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 The marker around the dinner table. commemorates not only musicians to fall back on for First place guidance. Ben Kibbey Josh “The Reverend” Monroe’s contribution to Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Peyton opens a discussion, music but also the musical Yet, he did have a rich A labor of love Bill Monroe’s Brown County bluegrass holds the family’s attention, history that permeates Bean musical heritage to carry on, history then hangs back to listen to Blossom, a destination Jackson said. Comments: Clever lede and interesting story. Well-written, what a mandolin has to say. known around the world, “When our ancestors engaging and great photo. Good local story with regional/ said Ruth Reichmann, national significance and a source of local pride. Side conversations came to this country, they crop up: two banjos nod president of local historic didn’t have recordings,” he preservation society Peaceful Second place in agreement over some said. “They came here with Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor thought they shared; a guitar Valley Heritage. their memories, and those The Corydon Democrat and a mandolin have a short Peaceful Valley members memories were in the form The perfect perennial back-and-forth. spearheaded the effort to get of song.” Comments: Brings a smile to your face! I made a mental a marker at Monroe’s music note to swing by and see the garden if I’m ever nearby! The A man standing to the Monroe’s bluegrass came story is a great slice of life with great photos and reader side watches and listens. He park, only the second marker from his core, Jackson said. “action steps,” i.e., info on how to check it out. sneaks a harmonica from his in the county after T.C. Steele State Historic Site. “It’s music from the soul, pocket, smiles and joins in. and it’s medicine for the Third place Along with volunteers Mary Mattingly The circle starts small, soul,” he said. from the music park, The Versailles Republican grows quickly and shrinks Several speakers at the Former users now addicted to recovery slowly to the last few who Peaceful Valley volunteers gathered historic information dedication credited current Comments: Powerful and honest. A strong antidote to the hang on for one more song. For complete story, see relentless marketing of the “party” culture. about the park, Monroe and These are friends who www.hspafoundation.org. bluegrass music, and raised Click on “Contests.” Best Profile Feature/Category 9 First place Brian Smith Cox-Ginnetti a perfect match The Corydon Democrat Cox-Ginnetti: A Perfect Match Brian Smith dating service, Cox said he and saw a special on Robin Comments: Well written. A nice mix of information that The Corydon Democrat has gained a family member Roberts.” presents personality and heart. Two reactions are most in Missy Ginnetti, his A veteran sports and common when asked to join recipient. Second place news anchor of ESPN’s Denise Freitag Burdette the Be the Match registry, “She’s amazing,” Cox “SportsCenter” and ABC’s Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) a National Bone Marrow said. “I love her to death.” “Good Morning, America,” Donor program. Diving into education Ginnetti, in her 40s Roberts was a recipient of Comments: I can feel this educator’s passion in this article. 1. Isn’t it painful? and married with three a bone marrow transplant Interesting individual. through the Be the Match OR children, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma registry. She has been treated Third place 2. Is it a dating service? for two forms of cancer, the Kate Wehlann in 2010. After various The Salem Democrat That’s coming from Daniel treatment attempts, her last needing a bone marrow More Like a Friend Cox, a 2013 Lanesville cancer would go away only transplant. Comments: Nice use of sources and detail here. I get a real Junior-Senior High School to come back again. That’s “I thought the blood feel for this person. graduate, the current when she turned to Be the donation was cool and president of the Indiana Match to seek out a stem cell started to do some research,” University’s Be the Match transplant. Cox said. On Campus. About that same time, He not only went about Cox is all in with Be the one state over from her finalizing his school Match. Why? Because he’s Youngstown, Ohio, home, assignment, Cox tried to sign able to tell a first-hand story Cox walked into his home up to the registry. A back of the ability to help a patient near LJSHS after basketball injury prevented his first of a blood cancer (Hodgkin’s practice seeking a topic for a attempt. Never discouraged, lymphoma in his case) speech class. months later, Cox joined the receive a life-saving marrow “I had to write a 24 million people on the list. transplant. persuasive speech, and it was That was February of his With a prideful smile, a week before it was due and high school senior year. Cox can vouch the process I still didn’t have a topic,” For complete story, see to save a life wasn’t painful. Cox said. “I came home and www.hspafoundation.org. To the question of being a flipped through the channels Click on “Contests.” Page 24 v Community is #TrentonStrong Kate Wehlann being alcohol at the party the side of the road. Division 2 The Salem Leader and there was absolutely “They’d seen him in his It’s a night the Miller none. We’d been playing hat earlier that night and Best In-Depth Feature or Feature family will never forget. corn hole with the school they saw the damage and principal and talking with Package/Category 10 Sunday, May 24, 2015. knew someone was hurt others there, and we figured Just after midnight. Cauble and called the police,” said First place he was tired and he said he Kate Wehlann Road in Salem. Brent. “We couldn’t find him The Salem Leader was leaving. I said, ‘OK, I’ll initially. He was down an The family had been at #TrentonStrong be right behind you.’” embankment.” a graduation party at Brian Comments: This story has heart, depth, accompanying You parents know how Motsinger’s home and Brent said the wreck must information that makes it an information-packed and it goes, though. Go find the packaged story. I also enjoy this reporter’s writing. Clear, Trenton, 17, had decided, have happened about 10 other sibling there with you, detailed, engaging. after a long day the day to 15 minutes before the start chatting with someone before which ended in the Pickerills found him. else and more time than you Second place wee hours of Saturday, he Ben Kibbey planned slips away. Brent “He wouldn’t react to pain was going to head home on Brown County Democrat (Nashville) thought nothing of it, until or light and I knew it was his four-wheeler. Female veterans: Commanding attention Brian Motsinger called him bad,” said Brent. “He was Comments: Good idea, well played out. The voices of the “He’d taken the four- back outside. curled up in the fetal position veterans are well revealed and spotlighted in this feature. wheeler to the party and gasping. I called the ‘I knew it was bad’ because he’d stopped to sheriff’s department and said Third place feed a neighbor’s animals Two other party attendees, we needed a helicopter.” Briana Barger Jeff and Missy Pickerill, North Vernon Plain Dealer before he got there,” said Brent said getting help via The fantastic world of cosplay his father, Brent Miller, a had left after Trenton and on-the-road ambulance to his Comments: Fun. Nice job with creative package layout, but 25-year law enforcement had returned. They told son took a frustratingly long it also includes a lot of information and details not only for veteran and captain of the Brent they’d seen Trenton’s time, and once the helicopter those familiar with Cosplay but for those wanting to be. Washington County Sheriff’s Stewart Seeds hat in the road and the Kawasaki Prairie For complete story, see Department. “There’s been www.hspafoundation.org. talk and questions of there four-wheeler wrecked along Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 Click on “Contests.” First place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat Cats claw to state Cats claw to state Brian Smith Harrison, which earned have worked for this since Comments: Best lede in this contest. Strongest quote is The Corydon Democrat the right to take its first we were little kids. Now excellent. A little quote-heavy, but it works here. Excellent North Harrison High basketball team to a state that we’re here, we’re not coverage overall. School brought the deep final after the Lady Cats stopping now.” posted a 59-42 win. Second place blue sea with it to the “This is, like, really Ben Kibbey Jeffersonville Class 3A “I believe this was the exciting,” sophomore Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Semi-state Saturday night as biggest game of my life,” Taylor Rennirt said. “I was The spirit of ‘76 the Lady Cats were to face said North Harrison coach feeling a little nervous at the Comments: Fantastic community journalism. Great lede. the Lebanon Lady Tigers and Missy Voyles, who needed a beginning, but I knew, if we Nice quotes. Well-researched story. Kudos to the writer. their star shooter, Kristen chair to rest on as her team played together, we could Spolyar, who was averaging Third place continued its celebration. pull it out. We were feeling Jim Buchberger more than 35 points per “I’m speechless. I don’t really bad, but we came Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) game. That deep blue sea know what to say. It’s much through and pulled together. Lady Trojans took up more than half of more than what I expected Coach helped us calm down Comments: Good lede. Solid story. Routine coverage done the gym and, looking from this year. I had some goals and said anything past this well. the other side of the court, for us, but state wasn’t on is a good thing, just being resembled a giant wave my radar.” here.” Best Sports News or Feature Coverage getting ready to crash to the If Voyles couldn’t find “It feels amazing,” Category 12 floor. the words, it was OK. Her freshman Lilly Hatton added. First place It turned out to be more players would take up the “It’s just knowing we have Brian Smith than just a wave, however. slack for their coach. a great team and we deserve The Corydon Democrat Instead, the wave turned UNIFIED “It feels amazing,” this. It’s what we’ve been into a tsunami that crushed sophomore Hallie Hinton Lebanon. It also made a For complete story, see Second place said. “My sophomore group www.hspafoundation.org. day of history for North Ben Kibbey and the juniors and seniors Click on “Contests.” Brown County Democrat (Nashville) A ‘heart far greater than his stature’ Unified Third place Brian Smith Unified track teams. The answer it.” Ben Kibbey The Corydon Democrat Brown County Democrat (Nashville) squads are composed equally Participating in two events Dialing it up Jayson Harris has always of students with and without as an individual, Harris wanted to play football. intellectual disabilities popped off the block at the to compete for state On May 16, Harris found long jump with a distance of championships, according to himself behind the east goal 11 feet, 6 inches, a personal the IHSAA. posts at North Harrison High best. He turned around later School’s football complex, Through track, Harris and and won the 400-meter dash, jumping into competition in his teammates have found a full lap around the football a different sport. a sport to represent the field he’d love to play on. Cougars, fielding a team for Wearing school colors “Throughout parts of the the first time. of blue and white along race, I felt like I wanted to with his shoelaces pulled “I’ve been having throw up,” Harris admitted. tight, Harris was among the problems with trying to “I wanted to give it all my first participants in a home make friends at school,” best. I want people to realize Unified Track and Field meet Harris said. “I wanted to other people in the state of hosted by North Harrison. try a sport I thought I could Indiana can do this. My mom be good at. I found a sport and dad said God has a plan Unified track, launched and friends. I’ve always for each of us. Whatever he in 2014 by a partnerships wanted to play football, but gives us, we have to do our between the Indiana High I can’t because of a brain best and try our hardest.” School Athletic Association hemorrhage I had. When and Special Olympics, For complete story, see God gives you a plan, www.hspafoundation.org. allowed schools to form Click on “Contests.” Page 25 Cougars built on adversity Division 2 Brian Smith ended hopes of Schroeder’s Avery Blocker has and the The Corydon Democrat potential magical senior trio is an eight-yard gain It was in the final campaign in 2007. from a combined 3,000 Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 moments of North Harrison’s Here we are, in 2015, and rushing yards. First place week five victory over the North Harrison program In the preseason, coach Brian Smith Brownstown Central when led by Mark Williamson has Williamson pointed to The Corydon Democrat this sports reporter actually set the bar as high as it can special teams as a possible thought the North Harrison get for a regular season. difference maker. Kicker Second place football team may go It’s no secret what the Ben Waynescott has made Jim Buchberger undefeated. Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) Cougars like to do. They good on 80 percent of his Hold up. A Harrison bring the football game extra points, making each Third place County school going to their opponents with a one in a pressure game Josh Lewis undefeated in football, as bruising style. versus Brownstown Central. The Salem Leader in not lose a regular season The powerful offensive Reaching the 9-0 mark Comments: Straight to the point. Nice job. game, for an entire year? line of seniors Isaiah wasn’t easy, especially Well, friends, it happened. DeGrasse, Mason Keeling coming from a team that won only two regular-season Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 Corydon Central and Trey Kuerzi (tight end), games the year prior. That’s came close a few times along with juniors Jacob See Page 67 for all divisions. a seven-win turnaround. under Darin Ward, but Senn, Collier Smith, Nick the Brownstown Central Foley and Evan Goodman The Cougars needed a powerhouse halted those (full back), pave the way for shootout to defeat rival hopes. two 1,000-plus yard backs. Corydon Central in the Big Cat Classic. A bold decision The talented Bryan Sam Best and Austin Nevil by Williamson to kneel down Schroeder gave the Cougars, have carried the load the last on the 1-yard line three under coach Jason Mullis, few years. This year, they’ve times while trailing in the hope in the mid-2000s. done plenty of damage to closing minute at Salem took Their best effort was 7-1 opponents. Best has carried confidence in his line and regular season (2006) when the ball 244 times for 1,477 backs. Best’s TD on fourth- the match-up with the yards, while Nevil has 121 andgoal set up that win. Braves was omitted from carries for 1,177 yards. the slate due to a weather Combine those numbers Then came the cancellation. A season- with the 338 rushing yards For complete story, see sophomore quarterback www.hspafoundation.org. ending injury in week two Click on “Contests.”

Page 26 Division 2

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Marda Johnson Zionsville Times Sentinel Fire cat Comments: A great spot news photo captures more than the event itself. This one clearly shows the emotional effects.

Second place Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor The Corydon Democrat Crash Comments: Whether intentional or not, the black and white aspect sets this photo apart.

Third place Andy Heuring The Press-Dispatch (Petersburg) Submerged car Comments: Good capture of a tedious situation.

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Andy Heuring The Press-Dispatch (Petersburg) Polar plunge Comments: Wonderful expressions of those in the water. You really feel the chill.

Second place Alan Stewart The Corydon Democrat Fireworks Comments: Goes beyond the traditional fireworks photograph. Great thought when composing.

Third place Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor The Corydon Democrat Lincoln

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Will Willems Zionsville Times Sentinel Baseball state runnerup Comments: This tells the entire story in itself. The reader has to come away feeling some of the disappointment expressed by each player in this photograph. Great capture!

Second place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat Pile-on Comments: The perspective of this photo is great. Goes beyond a “Point and shoot” and portrays the event very well.

Third place Jim Buchberger The Journal-Press (Aurora) Clay dives

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Chad Fleetwood The Salem Leader Topsy-turvy Comments: Could not have been any better if it was staged. What I liked best was the defender grabbing at the jersey. That part of the action makes this photo.

Second place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat Hit by pitch

Third place Josh Lewis The Salem Leader Little man, big stiff-arm

Page 27 Division 2

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Kate Wehlann The Salem Leader Age of Aquarius Comments: The comment with this entry says it all, “I fell so in love with the light in this that it’s become one of my top favorite photos.”

Second place Joe Awad The Journal-Press (Aurora) Silouette Comments: The silhouettes with the full color flag vaults this entry above the traditional. Well shot and thought out.

Third place Lyndsay Jones Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Jeanne Comments: I wish there was a story to go along with this entry because I want to know more about Jeanne. I love the composition, cropping and natural feel. Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Suzannah Couch Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Runners-up Comments: Wonderful storytelling. The reader gets a great sense of the whole “picture”.

Second place Sara Clifford, Suzannah Couch & Ben Kibbey Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Spring festival Comments: This is a very complete recap of what looks to be a fun festival for the community. Love the mother and daughter shot.

Third place Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor The Corydon Democrat Daylilies Comments: All around a good entry, quality photos, very colorful but not over-corrected.

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Ebony Chappel The Indianapolis Recorder Donald Trump rally Comments: Great use of video to tell the story. Plenty of interviews and a real attempt to be balanced in the reporting.

Second place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat North Harrison girls’ basketball send off Comments: Great subject to cover. Lots of work went into this one!

Third place Ben Kibbey Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Support for “Z” Comments: I like that they took a story that obviously affected the community and added to the coverage to show how much some cared.

Page 28 Division 2

Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Staff The Corydon Democrat

Second place Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville)

Third Place Joe Awad Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg)

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Comments: Each of the graphic presentations was effective and the style for each was different. Great job.

Second place Tiffany Shackelford The Indianapolis Recorder Comments: Tasteful use of graphics made for an effective and eye-pleasing presentation. It made me want to read the story and the entire newspaper.

Third place Taylor Ferguson & Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat Comments: Unless a person has done graphics, you can’t appreciate the work involved in making this look so good. Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat Comments: Well-planned, organized and dynamic sports section with great layouts and readable stories. Content balance appears to be on point. Great use of graphics.

Second place Jim Buchberger Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) Comments: Organization and typography make pages appealing to readers. Content is balanced and readable.

Third place Jim Buchberger The Journal-Press (Aurora) Comments: Stories are readable and original. Pages are well-organized.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Suzannah Couch & Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Arts & Entertainment Comments: Great design and photos, well-written, engaging, fun and thorough, with an emphasis on the local arts and culture that showcases the people and places of Brown County.

Second place Ben Kibbey & Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Out There Comments: Very engaging section. This is why newspapers are like a mini-encyclopedia that you can carry in your back pocket!

Third place Staff The Indianapolis Recorder Around Town Comments: Excellent design and great photos of local artists and performers and people enjoying all the city has to offer.

Page 29 Division 2

Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Ben Kibbey & Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Comments: Really strong visually and content is both interesting and fun. Business sections can be tough to balance interesting design with necessary components, and this does it very well.

Second place Staff The Corydon Democrat Comments: Basic content is there. More creative inspiration would make a big impact. Photos could work well for packaging content to attract readership.

Third place Staff Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg)

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Joe Awad Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) Reflections Comments: Very interesting concept and excellent design. Really captures the feel of the place and the time.

Second place Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Brown County Almanack Spring 2016 Comments: Wonderful community guide with just the right balance of content and advertising.

Third place Brian Smith The Corydon Democrat The Hoopsters Comments: Thorough and a great example of what newspapers should be -- highlighting the stars and up-and-coming citizens/readers.

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Suzannah Couch & Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) When you can’t go home

Second place Sara Clifford Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Play space

Third place Suzannah Couch Brown County Democrat (Nashville) School referendum

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Staff Brown County Democrat (Nashville) Comments: Stunning dominant graphics made this entry stand out.

Second place Staff The Corydon Democrat Comments: Tasteful use of descriptive graphics made this a winning entry.

Third place Denise Freitag Burdette & Staff Dearborn County Register (Lawrenceburg) Comments: Great use of graphics to help tell the story.

Page 30 Disbelief Division 3 Staff rifles and wearing body she said. The Tribune (Seymour) armor entered the building Area schools, including Best News Coverage Under Deadline A manager and a within three minutes to Seymour Middle School, Pressure/Category 1 worker he supervised at secure the scene. were put on lockdown as a First place the Cummins Seymour One employee said she safety precaution. Cummins Staff Technical Center were fatally never heard the shots fired facilities in Seymour and The Tribune (Seymour) shot Thursday in an apparent but knew something had Columbus also were put on Disbelief murder-suicide, authorities happened when emergency lockdown. Comments: The level of comprehensive coverage for a story said. response team members that clearly shook this community is nothing short of impres- After an initial search by sive. Ward R. Edwards, 49, of were running around telling law enforcement, officers Columbus, was killed by everyone to get out because with the Seymour Police Second place Qing Chen, 37, of Seymour, there was an active shooter Department, the Indiana Daniel Herda police said. The two men in the building. State Police and Columbus Peru Tribune were found dead in a Some employees Police Department SWAT Voters turned away meeting room on the second barricaded themselves inside teams along with other area Comments: It’s wonderful that this important story was not floor of the center. Police offices or closets and texted and federal law enforcement only recognized and told well on deadline, but that it was said they recovered a 9mm also given appropriate front-page placement. co-workers outside to find agencies completed a Glock handgun at the scene. out if was safe to leave. secondary search of Third place Many employees had Others fled the building. the Seymour facility in Mike Marturello & Jennifer Decker just arrived for work at the Employee Becky Wieckers cooperation with Cummins The Herald Republican (Kendallville) facility at 800 E. Third St. described the situation as Emergency Response Team. Showgirl suit dismissed and began witnessing the tense. Employees were able Comments: This may look like a simple headline, but massive police response to “Once we knew it was to return to the building to there’s a lot of depth here, written on deadline. This story their workplace about 8:45 demonstrates the importance of journalists understanding cleared, reality began to set a.m. For complete story, see their communities and delivering the stories that matter when in and complete sadness was www.hspafoundation.org they count. Officers carrying assault the overwhelming feeling,” Click on “Contests.”

Best News Coverage With No Deadline A dramatic rescue Pressure/Category 2 Nicole Minier the truck above flowing more help arrived. Columbia City Post & Mail down into his passenger seat First place Mills said Scott Wagner, Nicole Minier James Campbell needed a and fire all around him. of the Whitley County Columbia City Post & Mail hero — and Whitley County Indiana State Police Health Department, was A dramatic rescue came to his rescue. Detec¬tive Andrew Mills quick to grab his fire Comments: What a gripping story that makes you feel like Trapped with a semi- was just down the highway extinguishers out of his you were there. Well done! tractor on top of him and at U.S. 30 and Ind. 9, and vehicle, and Mills grabbed burn¬ng alive, Campbell rushed to the scene as soon his own extinguish¬er out of Second place didn’t think he would walk as the call was dispatched his squad car. Jessica Williams over his police radio. The News-Banner (Bluffton) away from the wreckage In a matter of minutes, A child’s death, a community tragedy: A year later Tuesday. Mills was the first Mills said about 7 to 12 Comments: Really enjoyed the visual elements that helped Had any part in the emergency responder on fire extinguishers from to tell this story. ensuing 17 minutes gone scene. The driver of the semi other semis and other law dif¬ferently, he likely on top, Zachary Huffman, enforcement officers on Third place wouldn’t have survived. 46, of Poneto, was out of his scene were used until the fire Zach Spicer truck and tending to a head department got there. The Tribune (Seymour) 9:22 a.m. — Campbell wound. Celebrating courage was stopped at the light at “Those seconds they Comments: What a great story about recognizing important U.S. 30 and Lincolnway Campbell was fighting for bought by using their fire people in our history. Loved the use of pull quote to draw me West in his empty car-hauler his life. extinguishers on him made in as a reader. semi-trailer, when another “He said, ‘I’m not coming the difference in whether he semi-tractor-trailer drove out of that window,’” Mills lived or died,” said Columbia into the back of Campbell’s said. “We tried to pry the City Fire Chief Tom LaRue. Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 trailer and over the top of door open, but we didn’t Mills said he was First place him, crushing his cab down have the tools we needed.” trying to make the most on top of him, and exploding James Sprague Bystanders brought fire of the resources he had Connersville News-Examiner into a “ball of flames,” as available, but was wary of The History of Hoffman extinguishers from their witnesses said. For complete story, see Comments: Great investigative reporting and an exhaustive ve¬hicles to suppress the www.hspafoundation.org look into the background of a con man set this entry apart in Campbell was trapped flames from Campbell until Click on “Contests.” a very competitive field full of outstanding entries. inside, with diesel fuel from Second place New company plans ‘concrete’ Staff The Tribune (Seymour) James Sprague council – Councilmember Hoffman will be locating Cummins murder-suicide Connersville News-Examiner Gary Weber was absent – the company in the old Comments: Incredible all-hands-on-deck response to a It’s not totally set in after a public hearing, will D&M facility at 717 W. 21st tragic situation, along with very nice photos and a clean see a 10-year tax abatement St., where it will produce presentation, helped push this entry toward the top of the concrete yet, but the city of pack. Connersville could see 100 on the property at an prestressed concrete panels new jobs within the next incremental tax structure and pallets. Prestressing increase of 10 percent each concrete is a method utilized, Third place year. year until the final year of the often with cables or rods, Staff That’s part of the abatement, at which time the that helps concrete overcome The Commercial Review (Portland) promise made Monday Flash flooded company will be paying 100 a natural weakness in tension night by Julian Hoffman Comments: Great photos, strong coverage, and very nice percent in taxes. It also will and allows concrete to be of Chicago, the chief personal touch talking to the farmers and others who were see a five-year tax abatement formed into beams, floors executive officer of Jane’s directly affected by the floods that ravaged this community. on the equipment, which or other structures that Development Corporation, will see an incremental tax have a longer life span than to the Connersville City structure of 20 percent each concrete simply reinforced Council in exchange for year until its completion. with reinforcement bars two tax abatements to help (rebar). The concrete is cast get his pre-formed concrete “He’s been working on around those cables are manufacturing business off this for some time,” said rods while they are under the ground in Connersville. Mayor Leonard Urban of Hoffman and his plans for For complete story, see The two abatements, the company. www.hspafoundation.org passed by a 6-0 vote by Click on “Contests.” Page 31 Hey, John Doe! Division 3 Ivy Jacobs people have to die from this Nov. 20, took place in Los The Brazil Times nonsense before something Angeles and was aired on Best General Commentary/Category 4 What is going on in the is done? From the time six different networks at the world today? I started thinking about same time, in hopes to spark First place writing this piece to now, a dialog about the problem. Ivy Jacobs According to information the number went from 251 The Brazil Times complied by Mass Shooting Is it working? I don’t to 353 in just over a month. Tracker (shootingtracker. know because honestly the Think about all the people, Second place com), there have been 353 color of someone’s skin is the innocent victims, affected Harold Bosstick mass public shootings this not a problem for me and I by this madness. The Sullivan Daily Times year alone, and still counting, can’t grasp why it matters to as of the last reported one Truth is: If every gun anyone. Third place on the website December 2, in the world suddenly Andrea Howe Again, let’s go back 2015. disappeared at sunrise to when all those guns Princeton Daily Clarion tomorrow, people with an Public places of all types disappear tomorrow, if inclination to harm others have become war zones. everyone became one color, would just find another way Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 Innocent people are targets people would still find a to kill each other. fault, hair or eye color, how First place by people whose agenda Staff could be anything from It’s not the fault of a tall or short someone was, The Sullivan Daily Times anger, seeking justification weapon, any weapon. It’s a what religion they were, if for some feeling of being flaw in our humanity. they had an accent, so on and Second place wronged, religious or racial It’s 2015, the Civil War so forth; people would still Pete Wilson motives or someone just ended June 1865, and society find a reason to fight about The Brazil Times wanting to be famous. It’s is still arguing about race. being different. sad these incidents are as The “Shine A Light” Once again: The problem Third place common place on the news concert, which is bringing all is humanity. People have lost Tim Timmons as robberies. For complete story, see The Paper of Montgomery County (Crawfordsville) kinds of well-known music How many innocent www.hspafoundation.org. artists together on Friday, Click on “Contests.” Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ Category 6 The year of childish discourse First place Staff some cases longer—the town’s attempts to comply Jake Thompson The Sullivan Daily Times Times has reported on with an agreement with The Lebanon Reporter Boone County Jail Distillery As 2015 draws to an end, town boards derailed by the Indiana Department of Comments: This was an impressive story on the conversion we’ve seen a number of uncivil discussion, personal Environmental Management from former jail to restaurant. political hissy fits and heard accusations and even fist on addressing sewer issues. more than our fair share of fights. She believed she was too Second place belly-aching. A few communities close to the issue and wasn’t Mike Marturello helping resolve the town’s It has been a year marred deserve credit for not The Herald Republican (Kendallville) situation because of that. Firm sets sights on Ashley// Firm near on Ashley by the Religious Freedom lowering themselves with decision// RES Polyflow picks Ashley Restoration Act, fights such shenanigans. Notably, But not all towns are that Comments: The reporter did a great job of working with the between Gov. Mike Pence Shelburn and Carlisle capable, it seems. manufacturer for this story. and state education leader appear to understand that Dugger has seen passive Glenda Ritz, and, most government stewardship aggressive arguments Third place recently, attempts to keep is a cooperative endeavor over cemetery upkeep and Mark Miller desperate refugees from involving compromise and stewardship that some have The News-Banner (Bluffton) civility. Bluffton landmark will close peaceful resettlements in the called political retaliation Comments: I enjoyed this easy-to-read human interest story. state. In addition, following an by council members against But none have quite outburst in October 2014, others — and vice versa. the same emotional effect former Merom council In the last few years, the —since they are close to president Carla Johnson Times has reported on the home—as the tumult that wisely chose to step town’s attempts to keep its has disrupted more than away from the board after own school. Community one Sullivan County town ripping apart a proposed For complete story, see council. ordinance during a tense www.hspafoundation.org. meeting involving the Click on “Contests.” Over the past year— in Jail Distillery closer to completion Jake Thompson too good to pass on,” said and administration. The Lebanon Reporter Stoller, who is the restaurant Located at the intersection Spirits will soon take and distillery’s owner. “How of North Meridian and over the old Boone County many jails are there like this West Washington streets on Jail, but not the paranormal in the United States that Lebanon’s downtown square, type. The Boone County come up for sale? the location is a prime spot. Jail Distillery, a distillery “It appeared to be a once Because of Indiana laws, and restaurant, will soon be in a lifetime opportunity,” he the distillery must wait three available at the place that, up said years to be classified as an until October 1992, housed The group, which artisanal distillery. The two some of Boone County’s included Stoller’s father big draws associated with most dangerous criminals. Randy Stoller, purchased that distinction, Stoller said, Built in 1938, the former the property at auction in are being able to open an jail is rich with history, a April for $154,000. Randy on-premise retail site and fact that made the property is president of Illinois- having a tasting room. At attractive to buyer Sean based Stoller Wholesale that time they will also be Stoller and his group of Distributing, a liquor able to attach the restaurant partners. distribution company located directly to the distillery. “Being able to make a just outside of Chicago in For now, that will have to product that we can relate to Elk Grove. He runs the wait. a real history and something company with Sean’s uncles, people can relate to and Larry and Jay, both senior For complete story, see make it a destination was vice presidents of finance www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 32 That’s what it’s all about Division 3 She’s the real deal

Headline Writing/Category 7 County: Let there be light(s)

First place Andrea Howe Andrea Howe Princeton Daily Clarion Princeton Daily Clarion That’s what it’s all about // She’s the real deal // County: Let there be light(s) That’s what it’s all about Comments: Nice blend of picture and headline along with old song nostalgia. Andrea Howe Hokey Pokey bars. But he We visit at the fair.” Princeton Daily Clarion has a vivid mental picture It was during one of Second place You fill the ice bin up. of the operation under the those visits that the Hokey Ray Cooney green canvas tent supported The Commercial Review (Portland) You take a long tray out. Pokey Machine came up in Balloon record popped - Couple’s sculpture earns a by a wooden pole that stood conversation. Guinness record // A second wind - Bluff Point project You mix the sweet between the Lions Club is a go again// New state of mind - Expectations have concoction — then you pour stand and the grandstand. “He said, ‘Nick, why don’t changed in second trip to Columbus a little out. you see if you can find that That’s where the Ole thing?’” Comments: The headline made me want to read the article. Fire up Ole Hokey Pokey Hokey Pokey machine to shake the trays around... was in action, churning Michas started asking Third place around, but nobody knew Mike Marturello That’s what it’s all about! trays across ice and salt to The Herald Republican (Kendallville) freeze the sugary creamy anything about what had Don’t take a pass // Nice beat // Angola eyes gateway The promise of a long, concoction. become of the curious Comments: Subhead could have been used as main thin, frozen bar of creamy machine seen at the fair in headline . . . “101 Leaks.” sweetness kept crowds Nick isn’t the only person the 1940s, 50s and early 60s. waiting in line at the Gibson who thinks about the Hokey “One day I was eating at County Fair for the 10-cent Pokey stand. The Palace. I can’t remember Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 treat, presented in waxed “I bet, just about every who was sitting next to me, paper. First place year, 25 or more people ask but it came up.” Andrea Howe “It was kind of like a me about what happened to Michas flips through his Princeton Daily Clarion creamy Popsicle without the that Hokey Pokey stand,” he That’s what it’s all about wallet and produces a scrap stick, served wrapped up says. of a short-order ticket. “Here Comments: A unique topic and lively commentary. in waxed paper. The trick Michas is a friend of it is.” Second place was trying to eat it before it Don Creek of Newburgh, Amanda Browning melted and ran down your who owned the carnival On the ticket, two names. Greensburg Daily News arm,” says Nick Michas. attractions that were featured “I think they said Wilkerson. Craig Roberts legacy of kindness and caring And Virl McClure. He lives Michas, a long-time at the Gibson County Fair Comments: Well written and conveyed to the reader. in Augusta.” Gibson County Fair board for many years. Third place member, doesn’t have any “He sold the carnival to For complete story, see Jess Cohen photographs of the machine Brady Amusements, but he www.hspafoundation.org. Vincennes Sun-Commercial laboring to produce the still has food concessions. Click on “Contests.” Working dog working magic Comments: This story is not only, an inspiring idea but the reporter really gets to the readers heart with his words. To walk again Matt Christy still can remember the pain even bodily functions most The LaPorte Herald-Argus which followed. don’t realize paraplegics Best Profile Feature/Category 9 Laying in the road, his To look at him, Smith said, lose, like bladder, bowel and First place motorcycle trashed and his you might not even think sexual functions. Matt Christy body mangled, Chuck Smith he was in a crash. But the While at the Rehabilitation The LaPorte Herald-Argus couldn’t help but wonder if To walk again damage was there, hidden Institute in Chicago, being this was the traumatic event beneath all his safety gear. taught to live his new life he’d always had a feeling his “The helmet saved my life, in a wheelchair, Smith Second place life was heading toward. Nicole Minier no doubt about it,” Smith confronted a nurse and asked Columbia City Post & Mail With his lungs collapsed said. her if he would ever walk Pharmacy intern considered a hero and struggling to breathe, again. A woman came running Smith thought back to the up and carefully directed “She said, ‘Chuck, you’re Third place baseball game he decided Daniel Thompson Smith’s friends, who all never going to walk again,’” not to play just days before Herald Journal (Monticello) had been riding together, to Smith recalls. “I thought, he’d set out on his road trip. Wolf remembers tornado of 1974 carefully remove the helmet, ‘we’ll see.’” He thought of how maybe which provided some relief For the next several he should’ve played after to his breathing struggles. years Chuck was in and out all, because you never know of hospitals for a variety when it could be the last time Smith didn’t know the of surgeries as a result of you’re able to. woman. She was just a driver of a car he’d recently passed being paralyzed. He had Smith, 52, is a native of on the road, but two hours breakdowns and mental La Porte. In 2007, while on and a helicopter ride later, anguish and at one point was a motorcycle trip in West Smith saw her once again as even bedridden for more Virginia, Smith collided with she came walking into the than three months. a guardrail as he attempted trauma center in Charleston, “Talk about a mind game, to maneuver through some West Virginia. staring out your window loose gravel. He became wondering, ‘Am I ever going paralyzed from mid-chest “Dee Clay, I’ll never to get out of this bed?’” down. forget her,” Smith said, stating Clay ended up being Smith said. “I was so focused on all the head trauma nurse at the Through all his trials and the gravel, I failed to realize Charleston Trauma Center tribulations, however, Smith the road went up,” Smith and if it would’ve been never considered throwing in recounted, noticing the anyone else he passed on the towel. guardrail little too late. that road, he might not be “That I owe to God, in the The only thing going here today. through Smith’s head as he faith that he has instilled in Smith would be declared came thundering toward the me and in my support system a T4 complete paraplegic. guardrail was, “I’m going Below his chest he lost For complete story, see to tear this bike up.” He www.hspafoundation.org. control of everything — Click on “Contests.” Page 33 A second walk Division 3 Ray Cooney Paramedics immediately “And it was just that fast The Commercial Review sedated him. He didn’t wake I was in the middle of an (Portland) up again for 17 days. inferno,” he said. Best In-Depth Feature or Feature Shad Fields saw the smoke Package/Category 10 It was a mild summer day “I remember initially as he was driving south on Aug. 22, with temperatures being on fire, and I was First place Meridian Street in Redkey. in the mid-50s at sunrise. trying to put myself out and Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) As he got closer, he Mitch planned to mow get my shirt off,” Mitch A second walk realized it was coming from the front lawn at his 226 S. continued. “And my shirt Comments: Very nice job. Short paragraphs were packed the home of his friend, Mitch Meridian St. home. just melted in my hands.” with a punch but easy on the eyes to read. Clay. He checked the gas tank, As his shirt disappeared, Looking around, he so did any worry for his Second place which rarely needs refilling Donna Cronk, Jeremy Hines & John Hartsock located Mitch standing because the yard is relatively own wellbeing. His attention The Courier-Times (New Castle) across the street, watching small, and realized it was turned to his sons, 7- year- Our friendship was a Rembrandt: Remembering John the flames. low on gas. So about 9:30 old Gavin and 5- year-old Hodge “As I walked up to him a.m., he made the short trip Grant, who were in the Comments: Outstanding writing. Wonderful tribute to friend … the closer I got, he was to Pak-A-Sak, filled a gas house. and colleague. Could almost see tears falling on keyboards. burnt from head to toe,” said can and returned. When he entered, the boys Third place Fields, who tried to reassure With the mower running, came running toward him. “I Brent Brown his friend that he would be he filled the tank. It just didn’t even see it,” said Greensburg Daily News OK while also getting the overflowed. Gavin of the fire. Puppy project multi-part feature attention of the emergency “I just ran. The only thing Comments: Great job describing a fun, unique school proj- The gasoline hit a spark personnel who had arrived I seen and I heard was dad ect. on scene. plug, sending up a burst of flames. Mitch tried to kick yelling, ’Help.’ I seen the Mitch was led to an the gas can out the door, reflection of flames on the For complete story, see Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 ambulance, where he lay hoping to save the items down on a gurney. www.hspafoundation.org. First place inside from further damage. Click on “Contests.” Eric Wohlford Greensburg Daily News Pake bares her soles Pake bares her soles Eric Wohlford place finish at the state meet. of those goals, but this was Second place Greensburg Daily News Her shoes? After signing close. I competed well, Will Willems although I was disappointed The Lebanon Reporter After becoming the first and dating the lime-green Tigers bring home title female runner in the history soles, she tied them together in my time and where I of Greensburg High School and after several failed finished.” Third place to earn a berth in the IHSAA attempts, tossed them on With the wind howling, Carey Fox State Cross Country Meet, the shoe tree, a 30-odd the already unforgiving The Brazil Times senior Shelby Pake made no foot monument standing at course would prove to be Oh what a Knight! bold predictions. She cast the 4,200-meter mark on the real champion over a no pragmatic clues as to her the fabled course. A true star-studded field. Carmel Best Sports News or Feature Coverage fate. reminder of her prep legacy. junior Sarah Leinheiser, as Category 12 The only thing she hoped “When I was a freshman expected, won the race by for was her best effort, and my mom (Sheila) and I sat putting the hammer down First place that she would leave her down and mapped out a at the 4K mark to win in Ray Cooney 17:30.8, a full eight seconds The Commercial Review (Portland) heart and soul on the windy, plan,” Pake said after her Pettus in Pittsburgh uneven terrain at the LaVern race. “When I was freshman slower than her semi-state winning time. In fact, only Comments: Reading the story, the reader can sense just Gibson Championship I wanted to make it to semi- how big a fan Dakota is, and the story does a great job of Course. state. As a sophomore I two runners (Katherine Free of Indianapolis Cathedral detailing his health struggles and how he’s made it through She did that. Oh, and wanted to make it to semi- those to realize his biggest dream. being the other) broke the Pake left her well-worn state, and be competitive. By 18-minute barrier. Second place shoes as a reminder. Though my junior year I wanted to Steve Page disappointed by her time and make it to state. As a senior Pake was 22 places and The Reporter-Times (Martinsville) her placement, Pake had her I wanted to make it to state For complete story, see A job well done high school career come to and compete well. www.hspafoundation.org. Comments: This is an excellent profile on someone who a close Saturday with a 47th “I didn’t quite reach all Click on “Contests.” seems like an all-around nice guy who’s been around a long time and seen it all at his school. The writing flows easily from one topic to the next and keeps the reader interested while telling Don Lipps’ story. Pettus in Pittsburgh Third place Ray Cooney fibrosis. “I mean, I haven’t Already the parents of five Pete Swanson & Andrea Howe The Commercial Review Princeton Daily Clarion been in the hospital or boys, Vicki and Raymond She’s the real deal. Jackie Young Day celebrated; (Portland) anything, so I was like, Pettus didn’t plan on having Jackie Young by her numbers Think about the possibility I don’t feel like taking a any more children. Comments: This is a fantastic feature on an incredible of having a wish granted. wish from somebody else, Vicki underwent tubal basketball player and does a great job breaking down by a kid who’s super sick and the numbers just how good she is. The cutout with her stats What would you do? ligation — more commonly younger than I am. I’m not know as having her tubes surrounding it is a great visual and really compliments a well- Would you jump at done profile of Jackie Young. going to do it.” tied. That was that. the chance for a trip to But that’s not how it Disneyland, go surfing and But the couple had second works with Make-A-Wish scuba diving off the coast of thoughts. And two years Foundation. A young man Hawaii or spend a day as a later Vicki had the procedure in Indiana accepting a wish movie star in Hollywood? reversed, allowing her to doesn’t take one away from become pregnant with their Dakota Pettus was in an ailing child in Nebraska. sixth son—Dakota. that position, with the So on Oct. 30, Pettus opportunity to have his All was not well with attended a Pittsburgh dream come true. Dakota, however. During his Steelers practice, and two first three months, he was His first instinct was to days later he was in the constantly sick. turn it down. stands for his first NFL game Doctors kept telling his “At that point I thought, to watch his favorite team parents he had colic, a well, I’m not super sick,” play the Cincinnati Bengals said the 18-year-old Dunkirk at Heinz Field. For complete story, see resident, who has cystic •••••••••• www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 34 Jim Harbaugh should be next Division 3 Eric Williams need a block of cheese or his team for losing. Blast The Lebanon Reporter maybe a coloring book. them for not being better, not If Jim Harbaugh had been And as the little warriors working hard enough. And he would do this because he Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 your first-grade teacher, he inhale their snack, the coach would have told you to stop mumbles something about knows every second grader First place crying and get back to work. growth and how proud he in India and China wants Eric Williams to bury the U.S. and the At recess he would have is of the effort they gave The Lebanon Reporter more we hand out trophies told everyone Billy can despite losing every game. Comments: Witty, gets to the point and is not afraid to have a and pat people on the back strong opinion. That formula makes for entertaining reading. cross the monkey bars faster All this before doling the for losing, the faster it will Local content is king. Write about what you know. than you and at lunch he’d exact same trophy out to happen. have made it perfectly clear every player, including Rico Second place trading your corn for another who was the only kid to That’s why I’m asking Val Tsoutsouris reach base or record an out Harbaugh to resign his The Rochester Sentinel No-Bake Cookie will only or show any type of tangible position at Michigan and run Comments: Strong, emotional writing. Taking on topics read- make you fat. His is a world ers really connect with and care about. devoid of Band- Aids and improvement all season. for President. hugs. If Jim Harbaugh were that What this country needs is Third place So the line forms before Pee-Wee coach he would more honesty. We need to be Steve Gorches have told everyone to take able to look others in the eye The News-Dispatch (Michigan City) a weary coach, plastic smile a long hard look at Rico. and tell them exactly how we Comments: Strong column topics. Could be more well devel- pasted on. He shakes every oped. hand of his little team, “If you want to win games feel and, when necessary, tell congratulating them on their you need to work as hard them maybe they’re not as 13-0 loss. as Rico. If you want to win good as they think they are. Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 games you’ll put down the And this includes everyone Somewhere beyond game controller and play from our seven-year-old to See Page 67 for all divisions. left field a mini-van mom catch with your dad. And the guy pretending to be a passes out juice boxes and if you don’t have a dad, sports columnist in the local treats she put together with you’ll throw a ball off the paper. love. Ziplock baggies, each roof of your house and catch marked with a Sharpie I’m no expert on it. And if you don’t have a because Tommee doesn’t motivation; just ask my house then you’ll ask one like pretzels and Earin likes wife, my boss or my of the people living under extra trail mix and don’t parents. Still, it doesn’t the bridge with you to play forget Mikel has a wheat For complete story, see catch.” allergy so he’ll most likely www.hspafoundation.org. Jim Harbaugh would blast Click on “Contests.”

Page 35 Division 3

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Caitlin Sievers Rensselaer Republican Train, vehicle collide in Rensselaer Comments: This image of a train-car crash is compelling in its horrific detail.

Second place Chris Schanz The Commercial Review (Portland) Fair rainout Comments: This photographer hung around, capturing the event and the mood in this well-composed picture.

Third place Nicole Minier Columbia City Post & Mail Stacked

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) Flag family Comments: This was shot at a clever angle. Touching, newsy, well composed, and from an interesting point of view.

Second place Glen Werling The News-Banner (Bluffton) The donut drops Comments: Unexpected and well-framed, and the boy gives the size of the donut context.

Third place Jake Thompson The Lebanon Reporter Veteran’s Day

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Chris Schanz The Commercial Review (Portland) Tarp tussle Comments: A great moment!

Second place Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Football summer Comments: This photo shot in the sun really captures the feeling of a late evening, just taking a break, likely during practice.

Third place Carey Fox The Brazil Times Future Knights look up to Northview junior Matt Clawson Comments: Catching these kids waiting to shake hands with their hero is a shot you won’t often see and you won’t forget.

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Chris Schanz The Commercial Review (Portland) Forearm to the face Comments: Catching the facial expression under the arm in the act with the ball in play is not often caught by the photographer.

Second place Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) Fight to the finish Comments: The passion of competition is perfectly recorded in this photo. Rarely do you see four faces trying so hard for the win.

Third place Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Into the endzone

Page 36 Division 3

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Chris Schanz The Commercial Review (Portland) Mud dive Comments: The expression on this person’s face in the middle of the splatter is a moment you don’t often see and won’t soon forget.

Second place Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Fighting the fire Comments: A pensive firefighter in the midst of a major blaze makes you wonder what is on his mind as the flames burn around him.

Third place Jessica O’Brien The News-Dispatch (Michigan City) Hold on tight Comments: Love this! The expressions are priceless.

Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Staff The Commercial Review (Portland) Flash flood Comments: Most people have a difficult time imagining the damage a flood can cause to the landscape and its people. This story illustrates that nicely by showing the strength of the community through storytelling.

Second place Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion The art of farming Comments: Farming is one of the foundations this country was built on, and these photographs of daily life tell a story that more people should know. The photos’ interesting points of view draw you in, and corn and how it’s used is definitely in the news today.

Third place Jake Thompson The Lebanon Reporter Tornado Comments: During this time of climate change, the weather is becoming more destructive. Tornadoes can flatten a community completely, but this story shows that there is an in-between place that most will see if they are unfortu- nate enough to encounter a tornado’s strong force. Many moments in this series bring the disaster home.

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) Portland Water Park tour Comments: The event has lots of audience appeal (as evidenced by the shares);` it tackles what is usually a hard topic to write about in a news story in an original way.

Second place Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) Band day Comments: Excellent use of photos and audio to illustrate a prize-winning band and its skills.

Third place Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Cops cycling for survivors Comments: This is a typical promotional event that most reporters don’t want to cover, but it was done in a way that showed community involvement, why it’s important and how police are working to broaden their engagement with communities.

Page 37 Division 3 Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Rod Rose The Lebanon Reporter

Second place Staff The Tribune (Seymour)

Third Place Staff Washington Times-Herald

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place Staff The Tribune (Seymour) Comments: Effectively used graphics to make page appealing, but not overwhelming. Smart use of color made sections easy to distinguish. Very nice!

Second place Michael Caterina & Andrea Howe Princeton Daily Clarion Comments: The importance of the football game is very apparent with the effective graphics package. Easy to read and effectively presented.

Third place Ray Cooney The Commercial Review (Portland) Comments: Chart shows importance of a local issue. Read- ers can easily see what is going on in their community through this presentation.

Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place Staff The Tribune (Seymour) Comments: Clear winner here. Solid writing and design throughout. Love the “Throwback Thursday” feature. Great way to connect past, current and future generations.

Second place Staff The News-Dispatch (Michigan City) Comments: Lots of good local copy in a clean section.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Donna Cronk, Susan Curtis & Katie Clontz The Courier-Times (New Castle) Her Magazine Comments: Her Magazine is a well-written publication. The topics are informative and entertaining.

Second place Staff Princeton Daily Clarion Agriculture Comments: This ag section relays the importance and personalizes the ag industry.

Third place Staff The Lebanon Reporter Lifestyle Comments: The Lifestyle section brings a real sense of community to the reader, even a reader from outside the area.

Page 38 Division 3

Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Andrea Howe & Quiche Matchen Princeton Daily Clarion Comments: The pages had a nice mixture of stories and briefs.

Second place Staff The Commercial Review (Portland) Comments: Nice art.

Third place Staff The Lebanon Reporter Comments: A good effort to get the business news out to the community.

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Staff The Tribune (Seymour) Colors of Hope

Second place Pete Swanson, Andrea Howe & Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Forever Young May 2016

Third place Staff The Courier-Times (New Castle) The Courier-Times at 175

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Staff The Tribune (Seymour) Pre-election coverage

Second place Amanda Browning Greensburg Daily News Suicide prevention project

Third place Vi Wysong, Mike Marturello & Staff The Herald Republican (Kendallville) Pokagon Triathlon

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Andrea Howe & Michael Caterina Princeton Daily Clarion Comments: Great use of dominant photos to help tell the story. Pleasant use and not overuse of color graphics made this a winner.

Second place Staff The Tribune (Seymour) Comments: Consistent design from page to page made this an attractive looking newspaper from start to finish.

Third place Mike Marturello The Herald Republican (Kendallville) Comments: Great effort in photographing and sizing each balloon! Very nice looking newspaper from front to back.

Page 39 Interstate fatalities Division 4 Annie Goeller & Corey Elliot the interstate, when a semi The crash closed I-65 in Daily Journal (Franklin) didn’t slow for construction, both directions for hours. Best News Coverage Under Deadline The Center Grove striking two vehicles and The Buck family attended Pressure/Category 1 community is mourning another semi, and causing a Community Church of after a mother and her two fire. Greenwood and survivors First place children were killed in a fiery Annie Goeller & Corey Elliot “There are signs for about were with pastors Friday, Daily Journal (Franklin) crash near Lafayette. 20 miles down the interstate according to the church. Interstate fatalities Jill E. Buck, 47, and sons, to tell you that you’re The family released Comments: This was fantastic coverage of a large event. Aidan, 8, and Branson, coming into construction a statement through the Despite the scope of what needed to be covered, this was 10, died in a crash on and that traffic is going to complete coverage. Great job. church: “The Buck family Interstate 65, just north of be slowing,” Indiana State is devastated by the news of Lafayette, according to a Police Sgt. Kim Riley said, the loss of our members, Jill, Second place news release from Indiana “He apparently didn’t see Branson and Aidan, due to Annie Goeller the signs or wasn’t paying Daily Journal (Franklin) State Police. Jill Buck’s the accident that took place Threats in Franklin husband, Paul Buck, is an attention, started to rear-end last night on I-65. We ask Comments: What a terrific job. Very thorough and got all the assistant principal at Center the vehicles, basically just for your prayers through plowed through the cars and information despite the tight time deadline. Grove High School, and Jill this process. We remain Buck was an eye doctor at ran into the rear-end of the faithful in God in this very, second semi here. The fire Third place South Grove Eye Care in the very difficult time and are Renee Bruck, Brett Eppley & Phyllis McLaughlin Center Grove area. started at that point in time.” thankful to the many family, The Madison Courier Two other people involved The vehicle driven by friends, and community Bomber’s Target in the accident — one man Buck was struck, spun into members who continue to Comments: An outstanding job of covering a major news the two semis and caught show their support. We ask event. Well written and thoroughly covered. from Lafayette and one from Illinois — also were killed. fire, the release said. All for privacy as we grieve three people in Buck’s together.” The crash happened just vehicle were killed, the before midnight Thursday For complete story, see Best News Coverage With No Deadline release said. in the southbound lanes of www.hspafoundation.org. Pressure/Category 2 Click on “Contests.” First place Ken de la Bastide The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Special Report: Mounds Lake Mounds Lake Match Ken de la Bastide Marys after the water made a But the area of western Comments: This is journalism at its finest. This was thor- The Herald Bulletin (Ander- woman sick. Ohio surrounding the lake is ough, well thought out, well planned and well executed. son) Outstanding work. David LeBlanc, a biology predominantly agricultural. For nearly 180 years, professor at Ball State Fields of corn and soybeans Second place runoff from farm fields, and University, notes that the stretch outward, and Samm Quinn & Noelle Steele later residential subdivisions, agricultural watershed for livestock feedlots pepper the Daily Reporter (Greenfield) has drained into Grand landscape. Absent from jobs the Mounds Lake reservoir, Lake St. Marys, dumping proposed for the Anderson Runoff from agricultural Comments: Great job. This is a great example of watchdog phosphates into the 13,500- journalism, keeping officials on the up and up. Great job. area, has some of the highest enterprises feeds the algae acre reservoir. fertilizer application rates blooms, which release a Third place Dug out of swampland in the country. Like Grand toxin, microcystin, that can Annie Goeller by hand in 1837 to dam Lake St. Marys, Mounds kill pets and sicken people. Daily Journal (Franklin) Coldwater Creek and Lake would be choked by Microcystin attacks the liver Homeless in Johnson County provide water to the Miami- blue-green algae, LeBlanc and nerve system and causes Comments: Terrific job of doing what is at the heart of Erie canal system, the lake has said. symptoms ranging from journalism, showing the readers what government is doing or has suffered from years of Main Street in Celina rashes to nausea. not doing for them. Very good. ecological neglect, resulting offers a panoramic view of Toxic blue-green algae are in the prevalence of toxic the western edge of the lake, present in many Midwestern Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 bluegreen algae blooms. which extends to the small lakes. The blooms flourish in First place Toxicity levels in the lake community of St. Marys on warm, still water tainted by Annie Goeller, Michele Holtkamp & Abby Armbruster severely limited recreational the eastern shore. Combined, phosphorus from livestock Daily Journal (Franklin) use in 2009 and 2010. And the two communities have a manure, sewage and Franklin hit & run accident again this summer, the state population of about 20,000, Comments: Stellar, compelling writing. After reading each For complete story, see article, I was excited to learn what happened next. The posted toxic-algae warning according to the U.S. www.hspafoundation.org. interview with the husband of the victim in Slinger’s 2005 signs at Grand Lake St. Census. Click on “Contests.” fatal crash is what set this series apart from other excellent entries. Police seek crash suspect Second place Annie Goeller, The other vehicle, driven descriptions provided by the Ken de la Bastide & Staff Michele Holtkamp & Abby westbound by Franklin public or witnesses about the The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Armbruster resident Jeffrey Grant Black driver will be investigated, Mounds Lake and Greenway Daily Journal (Franklin) Jr., was pushed across the Franklin Police Department Comments: Thorough reporting on an issue that will greatly Two people remained impact the community. The side-by-side comparison with center line of King Street and spokesman Lt. Kerry lakes similar to the proposal gave this entry an edge. hospitalized in critical hit another car head-on as it Atwood said. condition Wednesday, days was traveling east. Wohlmuth was trapped after they were victims of Third place Indianapolis resident inside his car and a hit-and-run accident in Caitlin VanOverberghe & Daniel Morgan Mitchell Wohlmuth, who unconscious, according Franklin. Daily Reporter (Greenfield) was driving east on King to the police report. The Jail overcrowding Police are looking for the Street, was hit head-on by Franklin Fire Department Comments: Excellent variety of sources. Stories are told in a driver they said caused the way that compels readers to care about an issue that most Black’s vehicle. had to pull Wohlmuth from accident. He is suspected of likely will not have a direct impact on their lives. After the collision, the his vehicle, and he was traveling 30 to 40 mph faster driver of the tan SUV sped taken to Indiana University than the vehicle that he hit off, heading west on King Methodist Health hospital by from behind. Street, according to the a medical helicopter. Black A tan SUV hit the rear police report. A witness was also taken to Methodist. of another vehicle on East said the hit-and-run driver Officers said they do not King Street in the residential of the tan SUV was a man know if the driver who left area east of the flashing light in his early 20s and was the scene was injured in the about 11:45 a.m. Saturday, traveling about 30 or 40 mph crash, Atwood said. The according to the Franklin faster than Black’s vehicle, For complete story, see Police Department. the police report said. Any www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 40 Easter in the ER: Hoping to rise Division 4 Jerry Pattengale packed with surprises. I soon leveling. Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) learned a quadruple bypass Best General Commentary/Category 4 I’ve had a huge team of I hope I’m still with you was needed. great nurses and doctors, First place when you read this, as I’m Two days earlier chest and not a single one of Jerry Pattengale hours from open-heart them has asked what kind Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) pains overwhelmed me while surgery. Good Friday was my wife was driving us the of car I drive. Or the square great for my belief in the hour home from visiting footage of our home. My Second place in-nite, but I also witnessed Roger Schneider my mother. As I was asking golf handicap. If I’ve ever The Goshen News a heart-wrenching reminder her if there was a hospital met famous people, or even of being human. When the near, I looked beyond her if I’m famous. I’ve always respected heart doctor drew Third place through the window at a seen myself as somewhat Steve Garbacz silent as he reeled the heart blue hospital sign. Having vanilla, with God adding the The News-Sun (Kendallville) catheter back through my traveled over 60,000 toppings when needed. And, vein in Roto-Rooter fashion, air miles since January, a simple person that enjoys I realized it wasn’t a good including international the small things in life. For Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 sign. nights, and driving some those of you who have read First place You could have hit extended distances alone, the my columns during the past Scott Underwood me with a frozen salmon probability of being with my twenty years, I hope you’ve The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) and I wouldn’t have wife, almost at the driveway smiled with me. And in a been more aware that his of a hospital, nearly defies sense, that we’ve been able Second place years of experience were the odds. And, it is the only to smile at life’s leveling Rich Gotshall subconsciously screaming, hospital in that city with the while reflecting on principles Daily Reporter (Greenfield) “Houston, we have a capacity to help me with common to all. problem.” Though my vitals acute heart needs. Third place had been strong going into a These past few days have For complete story, see Michael Wanbaugh normal cardiac, a stent, my www.hspafoundation.org The Goshen News reminded me that illness is major veins proved to be Click on “Contests.”

Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ Sordid political patronage Category 6 Scott Underwood of human relations; and expected to believe that The Herald Bulletin (Ander- Kim Townsend, grant the hiring process for the First place son) Sarah Einselen administrator in community position this time around was Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) Political patronage stinks. development. without prejudice? Combining combines Unfortunately, new Not all of these appointees The state and city have Comments: Way to bring this man’s story to life. Anderson Mayor Tom are bad selections for their anti-nepotism laws. But Broderick embraces it. positions. Some, such as Broderick and Lanane Second place Daniel Morgan Broderick, who Cravens, have the right sidestepped the laws on Daily Reporter (Greenfield) took office Jan. 1, has experience and set of skills this one by noting that the Building for the future appointed political cronies to do the job well. younger Broderick won’t Comments: This reporter did a lot of work and worked with and Democratic Party But, throwing an report directly to his dad. his colleagues in the newsroom. insiders to many of the additional shadow on Jodie Woods, general important positions in his the selection process, counsel for the Indiana Third place administration, including Broderick’s appointment to Association of Cities and Ryan Trares Towns, said that the hiring Daily Journal (Franklin) the following: David Eicks, the city attorney position, Hope for hemp? appointed board of works Democratic state Sen. Tim of Evan Broderick fell into a Comments: An easy to read and enjoyable story. chairman and interim city Lanane, turned around and “gray area.” controller; Merle Jones, hired the mayor’s son, Evan “This is an area the courts general manager for City of Broderick, as an assistant have not spoken on,” she Anderson Transit System; city attorney. said in an article published Fred Reese, City Hall Evan Broderick held Thursday in The Herald building superintendent; the same position in the Bulletin. Tom Brown, human administration of Mayor Historically, Mayor resources director; Tony Kris Ockomon, 2008-2011, Broderick is certainly not Watters, police chief; Dave and he might do a dandy job Cravens, fire chief; Tamie of it. But, come on, are the For complete story, see Dixon-Tatum, director www.hspafoundation.org citizens of Anderson really Click on “Contests.” Farmer invents combine Sarah Einselen Dillon designed to cut down And so began his efforts Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) the equipment and resources to develop a combine that Ben Dillon’s family has needed to harvest a crop of would carry as much grain farmed in Cass County since corn or wheat. as a grain truck and be able his mother’s family bought “The first job they gave to empty it out, like a regular the land in 1844. me when I came back was combine, once it got full. It’s where Dillon grew driving the grain cart,” The modern combine up and where he returned Dillon recalled. His family harvester itself is a to work after college and a farmed corn, so every combination machine — few years with a different harvest, he’d shift the grain doing the work of a header business. truck into gear and run it and a thresher to first cut slowly alongside a combine the head off of wheat and And it’s where he was first harvester as the combine then thresh it, separating inspired to develop the huge plucked the corn from the the useful portions from farm machine that’s to begin fields. the waste. It was invented commercial production next in the 1800s and came year. But it grated on him, a little. He didn’t get why two into widespread use in A subsidiary firm of the whole trucks had to do the Midwestern farming starting company Dillon and his five job he thought one truck in the early 1900s, pulled children own is gearing up to could accomplish. first by horses, then by start production in January hooking up to a tractor and 2016 of the TRIBINE, “I said, ‘This is a very For complete story, see a combination combine inefficient way to do this,’” www.hspafoundation.org. harvester and grain hauler Dillon said. Click on “Contests.” Page 41 Trump whips Cruz Division 4 The udder thrill of the fair Headline Writing/Category 7 Turkeys soar this Thanksgiving First place Staff Staff Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) Trump whips Cruz // The udder thrill of the fair // Turkeys might soar Memories burn bright Comments: A bit trite but still effective. Ben Middelkamp day. “When that baby got to Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) Second place John Shanks, 88, who the first floor, it went through Steve Garbacz When Bob Crispen first responded at the first part there, there was no stopping The News-Sun (Kendallville) whatsoever,” Crispen said. Son of a glitch // Judge applies prison sentence in shined his flashlight inside of the fire, said he broke a deodorant attack // New signals yield confusion the downtown Logansport side window to open up a “When that baby went J.C. Penney store, he door and saw smoke in the through the top there … couldn’t see smoke or the back corner of the store. A it looked like a Roman Third place source of a fire. But shortly few moments later, other candle.” Staff after he and other firefighters firefighters came through the Crispen added that some Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) walked in, they could hear back of the building. firefighters joked with him Blinded by the white // Double the ho, ho, hos // Light the furnace below. up Logansport to be rekindled One of those firefighters, when he walked into men’s Comments: Seeing the connection with the song makes me “That thing was just a Larry Parker, 81, along with section of the department feel old. roaring,” the 90-year-old another partner, tied a rope store. said. “Boy, you talk about a to each other and crawled on “I wear a 44 long,” he furnace roaring.” Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 the floor through the smoke. recalled. “Get me a 42 Fifty years ago, on Friday, Parker then looked down short.” First place Jan. 7, 1966, a devastating between the floor boards on The fire not only destroyed Ben Middelkamp the first floor. Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) fire ravaged a quarter block the J.C. Penney store, but Memories burn bright of downtown Logansport, “The basement was just an several other businesses leveling several buildings inferno,” he said. and apartments in the 300 and causing nearly $2 Second place The fire started at about block of Market Street million worth of damage, Stu Hirsch 9:45 p.m., Crispen said, near between Third and Fourth including the biggest blow of The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) an old oil furnace and two streets, including Grisley’s Overcoming all odds the blaze at J.C. Penney. 275-gallon oil tanks located Draperies, Bonnell’s Barber Only a few Logansport under the front part of the Shop and Chogas Billiards. Third place firefighters of the 43 who Caitlin VanOverberghe building, where the business “I didn’t like losing that Daily Reporter (Greenfield) battled the flames are also kept cardboard and pool hall,” firefighter Bob Royal treatment still living and residing in inventory. Crispen said the Kendall said. Logansport. Long retired oil tanks, furnace and oil- For complete story, see Best Profile Feature/Category 9 from the force, the group still mopped, hard maple floors www.hspafoundation.org. remembers that hard-fought Click on “Contests.” First place fueled the fire. Kristy Deer Daily Reporter (Greenfield) She survived She has survived Comments: Beautifully written. Kristy Deer accident, but time has taken milestone, were the aunt Second place Daily Reporter (Greenfield) nearly every memory of the and uncle who raised her, Magen Kritsch Emily Jones remembers night her family was killed. Susan and Jeff Lantz. They Daily Journal (Franklin) very little, if anything, about At the hospital, doctors and are the parents Emily now Farewell ride the earliest years of her life. nurses examined her, and affectionately calls Mom and Comments: The reporter did a great job setting the scene relatives came to console Dad. There are vague memories right off the bat. The description helps put the readers there her, but mostly the night is a and feel like they knew the driver. of playing with her big The couple decided, blur. sister, of going to church almost immediately after Third place with her family; but for the “I think I might remember the crash, to take Emily Christine Schaefer the hospital, but the crash into their home. In their late Daily Reporter (Greenfield) most part, the images are Bringing his world to life distant, faded glimpses of a itself? I just think God has 40s at the time, the Lantzes Comments: Great description throughout the story! different, distant life — one helped me not to remember had already raised their two that changed on New Year’s it,” Emily said. “You children and were about to Eve 2001. wouldn’t want to remember have an empty nest. something as bad as that.” The crash was the kind They became Emily’s of tragedy people still talk ‘Such a blessing’ parents, and it wasn’t long, about — a family’s drive On Friday, when Emily Jeff Lantz said, before she down a country road, the graduated from New began referring them as split-second timing that Palestine High School, she such; “aunt and uncle” faded brought a dead tree, laden walked across the same stage to “mom and dad.” with snow, crashing down her mother, Beth Hobbs, did The hardest part was on the hood of their car. in 1980, though the woman trying to help Emily Everyone killed, save for who raised her for four understand what had Emily, then just 4 years old. years wasn’t there to see happened to her family; the Emily’s entire family — it. But there were no tears couple relied on their faith to her parents, 10-year-old of sorrow, Emily said. She get them through. brother and 6-year-old sister knows her father, mother, That trust in a higher — were gone by the time brother and sister, while power is something that has help arrived. gone, will always be a part carried Emily and is now of her. But Emily, sitting in the something she passes along back in her car seat, emerged Rather than dwell on to others. relatively unhurt — just the family she lost, Emily On a recent afternoon, a small cut on the top of remains thankful for the sitting at the table in a tiny her head, some bumps and life, family, friends and children’s chair at New bruises. opportunity she now has. Palestine Bible Church, She still carries a small Sitting in the stands, For complete story, see scar on her neck from the watching her mark that www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 42 All about the blessings Division 4 Ryan Trares each day with support, and plays on the praise team Daily Journal (Franklin) in strangers who have rallied at Greenwood Christian Despair would have been around their cause. Church. Best In-Depth Feature or Feature easy to give into. With their faith intact, it “One thing you can always Package/Category 10 In a span of four days, the has made the challenges they count on from him was to First place Davis family of Greenwood face much more manageable. make you laugh,” said Larry Ryan Trares went from thinking that their Davis, his father. Daily Journal (Franklin) For us, it’s all about the All About the Blessings//Power of the Force 11-year-old son Cooper had blessings. That blessing that “He is a comedian that injured his back to accepting Comments: Nicely done! it was finally discovered loves to light up the room.” that leukemia was attacking what was actually wrong His passion is baseball. his body. Cooper would need Second place with Cooper so he can be Cooper had played Little Noelle Steele 42 weeks of chemotherapy, treated, and the blessings League in Greenwood for Daily Reporter (Greenfield) with the potential for a bone from God in the people the past five years, with his The greatest gift marrow transplant depending that he’s put in our lives to father Larry as his coach. Comments: This story’s lede had me hooked from the start. on the effectiveness of his walk alongside us on this Well done on this story. treatment. journey,” Sandy Davis said. ‘Pain was on the inside’ Third place Shock turned to fear and “We are so very grateful.” Cooper was in the middle Jerod Clapp anger. Before his diagnosis, of the spring season this The News & Tribune (Jeffersonville) past May when he started But in the midst of Cooper was a kid constantly Always their first babies complaining of back pain. At tragedy, the family has seen overflowing with energy. Comments: Wow. Three heartbreaking stories to write, and times, the soreness bothered divine intervention. They’ve the reporter provided so much detail that I felt the parents’ He played guitar for him so much that he sat out pain. seen God’s work in the the past two years, taking some of his baseball games. doctors who have mapped lessons and learning Cooper’s path to wellness, Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 everything from “Hungry For complete story, see in the friends and family Like the Wolf” to “Knockin’ www.hspafoundation.org. First place who have lifted them up on Heaven’s Door.” He Click on “Contests.” George Bremer, Rick Teverbaugh & Staff The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Won state Won state Comments: Not only does the package do a great job of George Bremer, Rick recapping the games, it does a great job of telling and show- I never dreamed of my sons players encouraging each Teverbaugh & Staff ing the stories behind the scenes, giving fans an up close on this stage.” other in each game. The Herald Bulletin and personal look at these teams. (Anderson) Danielle Johnson, a senior Mary Alexander, a self- at Liberty Christian, said the described lunch lady at Second place Back-to-back victories school’s been “really hype” Liberty Christian, said Staff meant two Madison County for the past two weeks, the fact that two Madison Daily Journal (Franklin) high school basketball teams Class 6A state final although they were on spring County teams made it to returned from Bankers Life Comments: The stories are exciting and the photos break this week. the finals has really helped Fieldhouse as champions. compliment the package very well and all together this “Basketball is pretty much the entire community come makes for a great read. Liberty Christian defeated it for Liberty Christian; it’s together. She even drove Bloomfield 64-45 in a Class something we are good at,” some Lapel students up to Third place 1A game that was close up George Bremer, Heather Bremer & Jake Fox she said. “It’s God then the Fieldhouse with her. until the final five minutes. The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) basketball at school.” “We were there for them After the Lions received Daleville baseball wins state and they were here for us their championship trophy The stands were a sea Comments: Another solid entry from the Herald Bulletin that throughout this tournament,” and cut down the nets, of yellow and black, one does a fantastic job of giving readers a look into the whole she said. spectrum of a story, from the games themselves to the Lapel took the court against team on each side of the preparation for those games and the excitement of winning a Indianapolis Howe in the court. Liberty Christian Lapel Elementary School championship. Class 2A game, securing a fans waved their yellow teacher Lesley Henning blowout win at 59-37. flags emblazoned with a echoed Alexander’s lion, and Lapel fans chanted statement. Best Sports News or Feature Coverage “This is a dream come and cheered on both teams Category 12 true,” Greg Dixon, father “It’s just incredible. I’m during the games. That’s of Liberty Christian players from Anderson, and it’s First place been the theme of the Greg and Trajan Dixon, said. Richard Torres tournament throughout, with For complete story, see “You know, you grow up www.hspafoundation.org. Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Madison County fans and Running through the pain with Hoosier Hysteria, but Click on “Contests.” Comments: This is a true award winner.

Second place Richard Torres Running through the pain Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Richard Torres muscles, beyond her year, Schrope’s slender Drawing strength Daily Reporter (Greenfield) ligaments and tendons, deep frame has been riddled by Comments: From the first few paragraphs it’s clear this story into her bones. stress fractures in both legs, involves tragedy, and it’s a credit to the writer as well as the With a good-humored people involved in the story for bringing this story to light. smile on her face, Emily Diagnosed with pierced by investigative Schrope couldn’t resist from osteopenia, a condition needles, put through Third place indulging in a cheerful laugh. where bone density is countless MRI and CT scans George Bremer and X-rays. The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) As the wind playfully measured and identified Colts camp coverage blew around her hair while at lower than normal peak It wasn’t until a DXA scan Comments: This is great all-around coverage from a smaller standing near the Eastern levels, discomfort is a was conducted at Indiana paper getting the chance to cover the big league club, if only Hancock cross-country persistent intruder. Risks of University Health Methodist for a brief moment. This covers a little bit of everything and team’s practice course, fractures and broken bones Hospital last year that the really gives fans from Anderson and the surrounding area a nothing seemed out of place are always present even in ambiguity of her condition great inside look into the Colts. other than a few renegade fixed positions. was finally uncovered. locks fluttering in her face. “I have pain right now; “When they did her bone “Maybe if I stand this I’m not going to lie,” scan, they found that she way,” the senior suggested. Schrope openly shared had significantly lower bone “There we go. Wait, maybe without a grimace in her density than normal limits not.” contrarily gleeful eyes. “This for her age and gender,” is awful, but I’m super used said Julie Schrope, Emily’s Her smile didn’t drift far to it because the past four mother. “But it wasn’t low despite Mother Nature’s years it’s been constant enough yet to be considered gusty intrusion. Inside, pain.” though, contrasting feelings For complete story, see Since her eighth-grade www.hspafoundation.org. whirled around, past her Click on “Contests.” Page 43 Coach’s son’s battle inspires USF Division 4 Reggie Hayes early. Wagoner took the gesture Fort Wayne News-Sentinel “We wanted to let him to heart. Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 University of Saint Francis know that we’re behind “It was nothing I knew co-defensive coordinator him,” senior receiver Cam about,” he said. “That First place Eric Wagoner was hit by a Reggie Hayes Smith said. “Every guy on completely caught me off Fort Wayne News-Sentinel wave of emotion after the the team is committed to guard. It was a real nice Comments: Fantastic piece on the coach’s son. It was Cougars whipped Olivet giving 100 percent effort, all sentiment.” Nazarene in their football emotional, with details, and insight. Strong use of sources, they have for 60 minutes. Eric and Natalie Wagoner including quotes, makes writing deep and compelling. Some season opener. entries were too long. Whenever someone met when both were The team captains stood is down or looks like he students, and Eric was a Second place and addressed Wagoner after doesn’t have anything left, football player, at Saint Stephen Brooks their 59-16 win Saturday at we say his son’s name, Francis. They continue to The Goshen News Bishop D’Arcy Stadium, Maverick, and remind them work at the college, and have Comments: Strong voice and opinions are what readers letting him know exactly he’s got a bigger fight than two older children: Hadley, want; that is most evident at the beginning and the end of where they drew some of what we’ve got going on.” 6, and Liam, 5. columns. Some areas get too bogged down in replaying their intensity and resilience Smith and the others They found out during game events. Leave that for the game stories. during the game. shared those sentiments after an ultrasound in April that Third place They were inspired by the game, and Wagoner was Maverick had spina bifida, Blake Sebring Maverick Wagoner, the visibly choked up. which is an incomplete Fort Wayne News-Sentinel coach’s son, who was born “He got really emotional,” closing of the backbone. It Comments: Entertaining writing style. Strong reporting goes with spina bifida on Tuesday Smith said. “He’s a big, often results in paralysis. into these entries, but the writer does need to express more in Cincinnati. opinion. Don’t be afraid to take a strong position. tough guy with a grizzly “We were supposed to find Eric Wagoner spent most beard and he is always out the gender and so we of the week with his wife, screaming. It was tough found out it was a boy and Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 Natalie, at the children’s to see him like that, but it we were See Page 67 for all divisions. hospital in Cincinnati, where meant a lot that we could For complete story, see Maverick arrived a week show him how we felt.” www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.”

Page 44 Division 4

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) After the fire Comments: A strong, dramatic photo that tells a personal story without evening knowing who these people are.

Second place Tyler Stewart The News & Tribune (Jeffersonville) A mother’s love Comments: A great nature photo that tells a story of love.

Third place Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Sunburst fire Comments: Firefighters work hard against destruction, juxtaposed against a glorious sunny day.

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Jeff Morehead Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) Cruz visits Marion Comments: A dramatic moment from the 2016 presidential campaign: candidate vs. supporter of another. Well framed. Well told.

Second place Jeff Morehead Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) Hope Comments: A quality low-light photo. Excellent depth of field and emotion told.

Third place Tyler Stewart The News & Tribune (Jeffersonville) Peace Sand Love Comments: A great sense of the work being done; its minute detail and its magnitude.

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Sarah Ann Jump The Herald (Jasper) Close grip Comments: Shows the powerful emotion of sports. Well composed.

Second place Tyler Stewart The News & Tribune (Jeffersonville) 3-point fever Comments: Captured a moment of pure joy and excitement.

Third place Kyle Keener Pharos-Tribune (Logansport) Sports Comments: A great photo that shows how sports is so much about looking up to heroes.

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Jesus Jimenez Palladium-Item (Richmond) Buzzer-beater Comments: The feel of true anticipation comes through: The moment of victory caught just two-tenths of a second away.

Second place David Campbell The Madison Courier Head under heels

Third place Don Knight The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Catch

Page 45 Division 4

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) First-day jitters Comments: A great look into a big moment into a child’s life. The woman is trying to help and gauge the situation, just as we are. The best photo is a deep field of competition. Con- gratulations.

Second place Jeff Morehead Chronicle-Tribune (Marion) Stubborn Comments: The photo shows a struggle of force and will. Both parties have a different idea of where to go. Well composed.

Third place Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Sunset harvest Comments: Photo has a strong sense of place, as well as a offering a glimpse of hard work and Americana.

Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Winning with class Comments: A super collection that very well tells the story beyond the game.

Second place Dave Weatherwax The Herald (Jasper) Rolling with the punches Comments: Love the “Raging Bull”-esque black and white presentation. Very nice mix of action and reaction shots.

Third place Sarah Ann Jump The Herald (Jasper) Land of Lincolns Comments: Many keen-eyed shots here. Very well composed, selected.

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Noelle Steele, Kyle Lewis & Tom Russo Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Winning with class Comments: A fantastic photo story that portrays the emotion of the event for both teams.

Second place Heather Bremer, Devan Filchak & Andy Knight The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Top 50 Most Influential People in Anderson’s History Comments: Yeoman’s work here. Excellent, wide-ranging topics.

Third place Michael Caterina The Goshen News Special education dance Comments: Really got a sense and mood of the event from the dance video and words from instructor, also her hopes for the kids and the program.

Page 46 Division 4 Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Grace Housholder & Carol Ernsberger The News-Sun (Kendallville)

Second place Michael Wanbaugh The Goshen News

Third Place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield)

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Comments: The use of graphics all are appropriate for the stories and only enhanced the overall understanding. A clean use of space alongside of great imagery. You can’t go wrong.

Second place Heather Bremer The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Comments: The Star Wars Themed pages are very fun and utilize space efficiently. The proposal page displayed an issue in a very easy-to-read format that everyone can understand.

Third place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Comments: Each graphic used was a great extension of the story. Some of the information was hard to decipher, but the overall message was received with each graphic.

Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place George Bremer, Rick Teverbaugh & Heather Bremer The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Comments: While the daily sections were solid, the two really strong special sections pushed this to the top spot. Good writing, solid design.

Second place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Comments: Solid writing, photography, design and depth in this section.

Third place Brendan Perkins, Joe Jasinski & Joseph Fanelli The Herald (Jasper) Comments: Not having color immediately is a disadvantage, but what they do with writing, design, and great photos puts this section on the leaderboard.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Accent

Second place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Just 4 Fun

Third place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Religion

Page 47 Division 4

Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Comments: I loved the design.

Second place Roger Schneider The Goshen News Comments: Nice and crisp pages.

Third place Scott Miley & Staff The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Comments: I loved the photos.

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Brave Hearts Comments: Diverse, well-written stories. Compelling section with good use of images. Reporting, editing, page design/ graphics created a well-executed section.

Second place Staff The Goshen News Progress in Progress Comments: Thoughtful approach to what could have been a traditional Progress section. Well-executed, entertaining and engaging.

Third place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Center Grove’s Rise to a Powerhouse Comments: Nice use of images, thoughtful approach to layout/design. Complete, attractive and engaging.

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Caitlin VanOverberghe Daily Reporter (Greenfield) ‘Gap in our system’

Second place Caitlin VanOverberghe Daily Reporter (Greenfield) It tugs at your heart

Third place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Spirit to survive

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Staff Daily Journal (Franklin) Comments: Every time I turned the page, I was excited to see what was in store for me.

Second place Staff Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Comments: Brings several innovative ideas to the newspaper world. You can see the thought process involved on every page.

Third place Staff The Herald (Jasper) Comments: This easy to read paper left me wanting to read every page as I felt invited to read on.

Page 48 GE announces Bloomington plant Division 5 Kurt Christian fought for survival, while going-on for a long time, & Megan Banta sliding toward the edge of and the intent to close is GE Best News Coverage Under Deadline Pres- The Herald-Times closure, there’s been one Appliances’ decision.” (Bloomington) sure/Category 1 constant: the potential for Job migration and layoffs GE Appliances, now a a collaboration between acted as precursors for the First place Haier company, has not let Kurt Christian & Megan Banta the local union and GE near-closure in 2008, but the market’s response to its The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Appliances management that as fate would have it, the Making plans to pull the plug side-by-side refrigerators fall could save the longstanding plant was kept afloat by upon deaf ears. In response Comments: This was an exceptionally well done story that local economic driver. $75 million in federal tax was able to get all the elements that make a good story. I to dwindling consumer Frank Scheffel, the plant’s credits, $5 million in U.S. appreciate the work that was done to develop a timeline demand, the company has current manager, worked at Department of Energy without getting bogged down in too many details that can announced its intent to overwhelm. the plant from 1998 until the funds and about $373,000 close its Bloomington plant plant’s 40th anniversary in in Monroe County Westside pending a 60-day discussion 2007. After briefly managing Tax Increment Financing Second place with its unionized workers. Dianne Frances D. Powell a plant in South Carolina, District money. Those Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Wednesday’s he applied his experience in provisions helped more than Chemical leak sickens dozens announcement came Bloomington upon his return 450 workers stay employed Comments: This piece did exactly what a breaking news story complete with comparisons is supposed to do. in 2011. He does not blame until they were able to retire to 2008, when the same the workers. between 2008 and this fate was being considered. “All along, it has been month. Third place Production volume has Laura Lane & Abby Tonsing about the market, not the “There were some decreased by 76 percent The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Bloomington workforce,” incentives that helped keep since 2008, and the plant Spencer child missing he said. Bloomington has the plant alive,” said GE employs 567 fewer workers Comments: This is a good story that gives all the details that never not delivered. This was spokeswoman Janice Fraser. were available, and you can feel what the family is going now than it did back then, out of our control. The saga For complete story, see through. when the workforce totaled of Bloomington has been www.hspafoundation.org 896 people. As it has Click on “Contests.” Best News Coverage With No Deadline A look at teacher shortage Pressure/Category 2 Lauren Slagter enrollment that grew by 1.1 a 49-person commission First place Kokomo Tribune percent, according to data of educators, lawmakers Lauren Slagter Kokomo Tribune Indiana’s teacher shortage from the Bureau of Labor and other stakeholders she Teacher shortage has received plenty of Statistics and the Indiana assembled to delve into Comments: This entry took an issue that doesn’t have a clear- attention from media and Department of Education. issues related to teacher cut answer, as both sides point out their reasons, and shows policymakers recently, and That includes K-12 public retention and recruitment. the readers why when it comes to education (which affects educators can point to a and private school teachers A couple of weeks ago, a everyone) there will always be debate. whole laundry list of reasons and students. legislative study committee for the shortfall. The idea of a teacher offered its recommendations Second place for addressing the teacher Over-testing students, shortage spawned mainly George Myers & Mike Fletcher shortage, which lawmakers Kokomo Tribune unfair accountability from the declining number of can choose to act on when Jail shortage measures for teachers, too initial teacher licenses issued the next session convenes in Comments: Great look at an issue and showing the readers much political influence in in Indiana in the past five January. the difficulties law enforcement and government face when it education without enough years – which dropped by comes to jails. teacher input and a growing 35.6 percent from the 2010- The idea of an impending attitude of disrespect toward 11 school year to the 2014- teacher shortage has been Third place the profession all factor 15 school year, according used as a springboard to Seth Slabaugh to data from the IDOE. The The Star Press (Muncie) into what local educators discuss what can be done to Drugs in East Central Indiana perceive as a teacher total number of teachers attract more people to the Comments: An outstanding look at a problem and being able shortage. across the state dropped profession – like raising pay by almost 16 percent from or taking a step back from to put faces to the struggles. A complex issue with no defini- But there’s conflicting tive answer is presented very well here. 2009-10 to 2013-14. the increasing emphasis information on whether placed on student test data Indiana is in fact seeing a Educators and state to measure their proficiency, teacher shortage. Superintendent of Public Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 Instruction Glenda Ritz have as well as teachers’ In the past 15 years, interpreted that drop-off as performance. First place the number of teachers reason to be alarmed about “I think what’s really Lauren Slagter & George Myers in Indiana has actually Kokomo Tribune the future of the profession. For complete story, see increased by 2.6 percent, Dispatch Center Ritz continues to meet with www.hspafoundation.org Comments: The writing is compelling and nearly flawless. compared to student Click on “Contests.”

Second place Staff Death questions dispatch practice Kokomo Tribune Koontz shooting Lauren Slagter & George address was a factor in the acknowledges the tragedy Myers Comments: It was tough to pick a second place winner, but death of Tammy L. Ford, 50, of the situation, but he could Kokomo Tribune the videography by Cara Ball gave this entry an edge. Beauti- who was pronounced dead at not comment further on ful portrayal of Deputy Carl Koontz. Even readers who had Kokomo firefighters St. Vincent Kokomo at 2:31 the response to Ford’s call never met the deputy would get an idea of the kind of person took 13 minutes to respond a.m. July 1. Howard County specifically because the he was. Strong writing and emotionally arresting. to a medical emergency Coroner Jay Price is still HCSD is investigating the happening less than one mile investigating the cause of her incident in preparation for Third place from the station on July 1, death. potential litigation. Olivia Covington & Julie McClure The Republic (Columbus) after Howard County 911 “I believe that the “It’s tragic. It’s sad. We Teen’s brain cancer fight Communications dispatchers difference in time being sent don’t want to make any Comments: Lovely portrayal of a young girl’s strength and a sent them to the wrong to the wrong address played mistakes. That dispatcher is community’s support. Cookie’s personality shines. address. a big part in [Ford] not going to have to live with In the meantime, the making it,” wrote Reed, a that,” Bates said, noting woman who made the 911 15-year veteran firefighter, in Howard County’s dispatch call because she was having a run report obtained by the responded to more than difficulty breathing died. Kokomo Tribune. 220,000 calls in 2014. Firefighter Kurtis Reed, Howard County “Everybody makes mistakes. who was the officer in charge Sheriff Department 911 We try to catch those. ... But For complete story, see on the run, thinks the time Communications Center www.hspafoundation.org. spent going to the wrong director Gary Bates Click on “Contests.” Page 49 Looking for truth from candidates Division 5 Bob Zaltsberg Mable’s quotation the other support. The Herald-Times day in relation to the state of (Bloomington) PolitiFact has checked out Best General Commentary/Category 4 political campaigns today. 82 questionable statements It’s been nearly 30 years When politicians talk, you by GOP leader Donald First place since the day in 1986 I was certainly don’t find the Trump during the campaign Bob Zaltsberg talking with an H-T reader prism; and more and more, The Herald-Times (Bloomington) and found one was true. named Mable Gunther. you’re lucky if you find a I was listening, mainly, shard. Yes, one. Second place because Mable liked to talk. The fact checkers said Harry McCawley PolitiFact is an offshoot The Republic (Columbus) As she went on about her of the Tampa Bay Times, five of those checked were Comments: Brings home a nice slice of life for local readers. views on the world, she said and it’s won a Pulitzer mostly true and 13 were Tells the stories that might not make it past a news editor. something I can still hear: Prize for its investigation of half true. Forty-six were “You know, honey, truth statements made by political mostly false or false, and 17 Third place is a prism that shattered at leaders. PolitiFact’s Truth- statements were placed into Mark Bennett the top of the world. Nobody o-Meter evaluation of the Politi-Fact’s category, “Pants Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) ever finds the prism; all men and women running for on Fire.” I’m sure you know Comments: Does a nice job of showing what Terra Haute is the reference. all about, particularly when a lot of outsiders are in town. anybody ever finds is a president should be a call to shard.” be skeptical about what is The senator running Mable was 81 at the time, coming out of the mouths of neck-and-neck with Trump, Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 and I talked with her several candidates. Ted Cruz has been judged better. Four of his checked First place hundred times over the next There also appears to be Max Jones 12 years before she died a correlation between those statements have been found Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) at age 93. She said a lot of who are coming closest to to be true. Comments: Editorial writer does a great job of explaining a insightful things, but that one telling the truth and their Yes, four. complex situation. Clear and concise actions are presented, quote shines the brightest in standing with voters. That making it even more relevant to the community. For complete story, see my memory. correlation: The less truth www.hspafoundation.org. is spoken, the higher the Second place I was thinking about Click on “Contests.” Mark Bennett Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Boldness to resolve financial crisis Comments: Clear and concise editorials that quickly get to the point, sum it up for readers and give a possible solution. Max Jones million. And don’t expect Terre Haute was among Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) the trend to reverse itself any those hit hardest, yet is also Third place The story is a sour one. time soon. The city is sinking among those doing the least Staff Terre Haute’s City Hall is into a fiscal abyss of its own to handle it. The Star Press (Muncie) under water. Not because the making, and elected officials Last week, the Tribune- Comments: The writer takes a strong stance on subjects, at this point have no plan to and doesn’t shy away from hard angles, like sending kids nearby Wabash River rose Star published the results of to schools when it’s cold and requiring a prescription for from its banks to swallow it, fix it. They do acknowledge a three-month investigation pseudoephedrine. but because elected leaders it, kind of, although they still into the city’s financial have allowed its financial disagree on the severity of woes. The five-day series well-being to be drowned the problem. titled “City on the Brink” Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ by poor judgment, weak The root cause of the revealed that despite clear Category 6 oversight and passivity. financial crisis is the property and repeated warnings, First place For five straight years, tax reform movement of city leaders did not do Kirk Johannesen & Julie McClure this city’s government has 2008, when the legislature nearly enough to anticipate The Republic (Columbus) ended its year having spent capped the amount of money and control the impact Cummins announces 2,000 layoffs more money than it took in. local governments can raise of declining revenues. Comments: A clear winner. In-depth reporting, great layout, each year from property Rather, while tax revenues nice visuals and sidebars. It hasn’t even been close. The growing deficit was taxpayers. That means less decreased, Mayor Duke money is coming to places Bennett and a majority of Second place illustrated by a negative Seth Slabaugh $8.2 million cash balance on such as the City of Terre compliant council members The Star Press (Muncie) Jan.1 of this year — a long Haute, and that has forced actually increased overall Specialty farms blossom way from the $8 million governmental units statewide spending by 4 percent and Comments: Nice use of sources to get stories that no one positive general fund balance to change the way they do put the city on the path to its else appeared to have on their radar. Great videos to add to to begin 2008. business. The caps hit some deep and growing deficit. the package. harder than others, and some For complete story, see As of June 30, the deficit handled it better than others. www.hspafoundation.org. Third place dipped to more than $8.9 Click on “Contests.” Martin Slagter Kokomo Tribune Weber Speakers Cummins: 2,000 layoffs Comments: Good reporting, photography and layout of this Kirk Johannesen & A1 story. Nice use of subheds to make it easy to read. • The company’s full- in the final months of 2012, Julie McClure year revenue forecast had with that job-reduction The Republic (Columbus) been lowered. announcement also Cummins, Inc. plans to cut • The Columbus-based coinciding with third-quarter its professional workforce by engine maker was taking earnings reports. 2,000 employees worldwide restructuring and cost-saving Staffing cuts are planned because of persistent actions to offset a downturn across all business and declines in international in global markets. regions, he said. markets, although the company’s Columbus and “When we have to a do a The announced layoffs do Seymour operations are workforce reduction, we do not include hourly workers, not expected to be affected not view that as a good thing. such as employees on the significantly. We view that as a failure, shop floor, but the company just as we would missing a is evaluating each facility to Tom Linebarger, the financial commitment, just as determine if more employee company’s chairman and we would having a bad result reductions are necessary chief executive officer, with a customer. Those all fit based on the business levels made those announcements in the same measures for us,” for the facilities, Linebarger Tuesday when Cummins Linebarger said. “For me said. also reported: personally, this is a really, Because U.S. markets • Third-quarter sales really disappointing day.” are faring better than decreased $270 million The level of layoffs is the international ones, the compared with the same company’s highest since For complete story, see period a year earlier. 1,300 jobs were eliminated www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 50 Wiped out Division 5 Advertising whiz Headline Writing/Category 7 No room at the Indy First place Penny Reid Penny Reid The Herald-Times (Bloomington) The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Wiped out // Advertising whiz // No room at the Indy Comments: Effective use of headline with picture. Living with Alzheimer’s Second place Lauren Slavin The Good Samaritan was behavior changes. Staff The Herald-Times Jack Armes, a flirtatious The Republic (Columbus) (Bloomington) Before Jack Armes was Cheers of joy // East Western goes south with young man five years diagnosed with Alzheimer’s commitment to Northern Kentucky // Four Columbus It’s been more than 60 Rita’s senior. Neither can disease in 2009, Rita wrestlers take aim at state titles in Indy years, but Rita Armes can remember how Jack got remembers getting into Comments: Nice headline that catches one’s eye with picture remember the evening she Rita’s phone number, but argument after argument of young cheerleader. met her future husband he called, and the two went with her husband. almost minute-by-minute. on their first date soon Third place after. This year, they’ll Jack would leave the Staff Her father had told her house and forget his glasses The Republic (Columbus) that if she wanted to take celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. or his hearing aids, and they Prime cut // The man, the myths, the future // Table his 1947 Dodge out for a would fight. Jack would service spin, she was not to drive “She’s been my beauty Comments: Nice play on words. jump curbs while driving the car up and down the for a long time,” Jack said. as a result of impaired main street drag, as youth Two minutes earlier, he had judgment, and they would Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 in Washington, Indiana, trouble recalling her name. fight. were often known to spend Becoming a caregiver First place their nights doing. She and Jack would be frustrated Lauren Slavin a girlfriend promised not to An estimated 1,800 that he couldn’t continue his The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Monroe County seniors — work as a carpenter because Living with Alzheimer’s drive “up and down” Main Street — instead, they drove and more than 5.3 million he couldn’t process how to Comments: The writer drew me in with this couple’s tale, and Americans nationwide complete a task, and they the well-sourced statistical reporting reminded me why this is back and forth “across” the still a topic worth writing about. street. — live with Alzheimer’s would fight and fight and disease, according to 2015 fight. But as troublemakers tend Bloomington Hospital Second place to find out, rebelling often “I just didn’t think about Emma Kate Fittes Foundation statistics. Alzheimer’s,” Rita said. The Star Press (Muncie) comes with consequences. Trained ‘cuddlers’ offer comfort for newborns The Dodge broke down, There’s no definitive “You come up with all kinds Comments: It is a simple story told well, which isn’t always and Armes and her friend diagnosis for the disease, of excuses.” easy. were stuck trying to push nor is there a cure. But On their 50th wedding the car to get it to start. Soon doctors can predict the anniversary, the two Third place enough, a Good Samaritan onset of Alzheimer’s celebrated a marriage of Emma Kate Fittes through tests that identify The Star Press (Muncie) pulled up and was quickly equal partnership. They had able to figure out that despite neuron degradation and the moved to Bloomington so Hope comes far from home development of amyloid Comments: Solid piece of writing about someone who what the fuel gauge read, the Jack could complete his seems to have become a community institution. car had run out of gas. plaques and neurofibrillary bachelor’s degree at Indiana tangles in brain tissue, which “He had a red For complete story, see Best Profile Feature/Category 9 limit cognitive ability and convertible,” Rita cause memory loss and www.hspafoundation.org. First place remembered. Click on “Contests.” Martin Slagter Kokomo Tribune Girl Scout leader Changing lives Comments: Excellent storytelling. Entertaining and still gets Martin Slagter like I’ve helped families, not decades in Kokomo and to the point. Made me want to meet this person. Kokomo Tribune just girls. When you pull into eight years after starting As she struts across the a neighborhood and they see the troop at Garden Square, Second place your car parked out front, Grohman is moving on. Her Olivia Covington wooden floor singing “Little The Republic (Columbus) Sally Walker,” complete with they’ll all start running to role with the Girl Scouts will Sophia Reynolds: Fighting for her future hand motions, inside an old, your car.” change from volunteer troop Comments: Solid writing and reporting. You created a very hollowed out church building Grohman has touched the leader to staff member after compelling feature. on East Taylor Street, Pam lives of countless girls in accepting a membership Grohman’s energy is so the Kokomo area since she specialist position in the Third place infectious, the girls from Bloomington area. Laura Lane became involved with the The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Troop 491 can’t help but Girl Scouts in 2003. What Her responsibilities will Barely getting by smile and sing along. started as a way to engage be similar to what she did Comments: Great reporting. Would love to read a shorter, The girls gravitate toward with her daughter after she in Kokomo, going into more focused version. Grohman, who is looking decided to join Girl Scouts school districts that are to break the ice and forge sparked a relationship that under-resourced to promote relationships with a new has seen her start two troops the opportunities available batch of Girl Scouts in the sponsored by KUO since in the Girl Scouts, while troop sponsored by Kokomo 2008, giving girls who developing a network of Urban Outreach. might not have otherwise parents willing to lead those participated in the scouts a troops. The registration night is chance to grow up under her a good introduction for the “It’s very similar to what direction. girls to the scouts as they I’ve been doing here with squeal with laughter and skip Troop 3033, located in the two troops in Kokomo, around following Grohman’s Garden Square Apartments, giving them the opportunities lead. and Troop 491, which to help them develop their meets at the corner of own leadership skills within “It’s been about the Taylor and Purdum streets, their own peers or younger relationships with the girls,” provide opportunities for girls,” she said. “At the said Grohman, who has girls in those areas to learn same time I’ll be working led three different troops in leadership and life skills, with parents and adults in Kokomo in the past 12 years. participate in service projects the community leading the “I haven’t just been a troop and attend summer camps. leader, but I’ve been a friend, For complete story, see a mom, a confidant. I feel After more than two www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 51 Same-sex spouse rights Division 5 Emma Kate Fittes exploding pain every time paperwork. Couldn’t the The Star Press (Muncie) she sat up. papers just say “parent” and Ten weeks before her due Meanwhile, nurses were “parent”? Best In-Depth Feature or Feature date, Chanda Fouseridge saying one baby stopped Turns out, it’s not that Package/Category 10 went into the hospital for breathing five times during simple. First place what she thought would be a the night and the other had a routine checkup. Indiana recognizes their Emma Kate Fittes hole in his heart. Chanda was marriage now, but state laws The Star Press (Muncie) She didn’t realize in no condition to care for The fight for parental rights relating to marriage and that hours later medical them. families haven’t yet changed. Comments: Excellent writing that sends a very powerful mes- complications would bring sage on a sad situation. Wanted to cry after reading this. But Cheri was there. Here, family laws are still her close to losing her life She began filling out the largely based on biology and while bringing two more into paperwork for a birth paternity. Second place the world. Mary Keck certificate. All of Chanda’s Legally, Cheri was not The Herald-Times (Bloomington) She had just enough time information was written in the twin’s mother. If she lost The price of education to call her wife, Cheri, who the spaces marked “mother,” Chanda, she could lose the Comments: A very well-written article. Great use of photos was at home with their and Cheri put her own babies as well. and graphics. Voters can’t say they weren’t properly information in the spaces informed! 3-year-old son. Cheri rushed to the hospital and was marked “father,” after Cheri and Chanda told immediately to put on carefully marking it out and obviously could not get Third place pregnant on their own, but David Hughes scrubs. Their tiny, premature writing in “mother.” Chanda had always wanted Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) twins were born 45 minutes Indiana began recognizing Terre Hautes Syrians remind community that immi- later. a baby. She told Cheri soon grants can be a good thing their marriage as legal after after they met, 13 years ago, Comments: Great read! Writer did an excellent job with the Chanda was losing the 2015 U.S. Supreme that she was having a baby interviews and reminding readers there are always two sides. blood, leaking spinal fluid Court ruling, so they with or without her. and had a headache from assumed both names could For complete story, see a bad epidural that caused be on the certificate, and the www.hspafoundation.org. Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 problem was just outdated Click on “Contests.” First place Staff City’s smiles, display at race The Republic (Columbus) Staff Mill Race Marathon runners were met with smiles predicted. As the inaugural The Republic (Columbus) from volunteers standing by 2013 race was being Comments: Reporting team showed real passion, and the sections and stories are a masterpiece. FROM the 7:30 a.m. to support their efforts and planned, weather trends sound of a train whistle spectators who cheered them led marathon organizers to Second place signalling the start of the on. choose the final Saturday in Jon Blau races to the 4 p.m. truck Douglas Gill, a marathon September as the yearly date The Herald-Times (Bloomington) for the Columbus running End of the Road giveaway, the third Mill runner from the Chicago Race Marathon was a events. Comments: What an excellent eye, and ear, for details. area, summed up the Reading this made my ears ring. Great job bringing readers portrait of smiles, struggles reception in one word: It was deemed to have the into the passion on the court and in the stands. and personal triumphs. “Wonderful.” best chances for weather to Spectators lined the streets “Everyone is so supportive cooperate with an outdoor, of Columbus to cheer Third place of the race,” he said. all-day event, organizers Ryan O’Leary on nearly 3,500 runners said. The Republic (Columbus) competing Saturday in either “I was impressed by the Bull Dogs top No. 1 Wildcats Supporting the research, the 5K, half-marathon or full people watching from their each of the three marathons Comments: Great details, fantastic quotes and the real emo- marathon. yards who set up water stops tion of playing on the edge. Great reporting and vivid writing. on their own.” has occurred in good Eighty-five fewer runners weather, allowing out-of- finished compared to last Cloudy skies and town guests such as Gill to Best Sports News or Feature Coverage year (2 percent), but a wide occasional mist covered the enjoy the urban and rural Category 12 world of runners arrived runners. sights of Columbus. from Maryland to California, First place “It was perfect weather,” Even local residents — and even the United Jon Blau said Megan Kelley of who drive the course streets The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Kingdom and Kenya, to Bloomington who ran the every day in their cars — Manning up participate. 5K. Comments: What a powerful story, told well by a reporter And as each followed For complete story, see who obviously spent a lot of time with everyone involved. While the weather cannot www.hspafoundation.org. their course through the city, be controlled, it can be Click on “Contests.” Second place Ryan O’Leary & Mark Webber The Republic (Columbus) Elementary Basketball League championship Manning up Comments: The Republic (Columbus) did a really big thing to Jon Blau opponents crunched by the prison time. Better than the cover it with the depth and breadth that it did. The Herald-Times Miners’ 230-pound, all-state mother who allowed shady (Bloomington) lineman. characters to come by the Third place The background on Lisa But if Lisa hadn’t seen house, around her children, Ryan O’Gara and swap prescription The Star Press (Muncie) Dyer Evans’ phone is a him play, she wouldn’t know National anthem salutes in sport picture of a mother, her son Dylan was any good. After bottles. Better than the woman who couldn’t Comments: Good ear catching a story that isn’t even sports and two daughters. But it the game, she meets him but that obviously resonates with readers and the commu- is also of a woman and her on the field for a few more overrule her son when he nity. idol. She smiles looking at it, photos for her phone and said he was taking his half- Dylan Morris in the palm of Facebook, and he goes into a sisters and going to live at her hand. cycle of “I could have done his grandmother’s house. “He’s my hero. I mean it,” this. I could have done that.” It was a Tuesday afternoon Lisa said. “I’m 37 years old, She tries to jolt him out it. at her aunt and uncle’s house in Worthington, and and my 18-year-old is my “Come on, now! Be hero.” Lisa played with her phone. happy! Smile!” She had on a blue Miners In her hometown of In her mind, how could T-shirt, No. 78 on the back. Linton, there are kids who Dylan be better? Her cousin, Josh Haton, was believe Dylan dons a cape. sprawled out on a recliner, Before each youth football Because he is a reason she wants to be better. Better bandages running up his season, second-graders sift left leg, from his sock to through a pile of jerseys, than the party girl who became addicted to drugs up his red gym shorts. He looking to claim No. 78. overdosed on methadone During broadcasts of Linton and alcohol in her early 20s. For complete story, see games, the term “Morrised” Better than the drug dealer www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 52 has been used to describe who once faced serious Hoosiers have something to prove Division 5 Todd Golden big giant No. 5 next to their A two-seed. Purdue? Also a Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) name and logo. five-seed. Maryland? Say it While some teams felt the A five. Some five’s are after me ... a five-seed. Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 euphoria of inclusion in the good. High fives? We love Indiana’s case is especially First place NCAA Tournament field or them. Five golden rings on odd. The Hoosiers beat Todd Golden the heartache of having their Christmas? Great. Maryland and Purdue, losing bubble popped on Selection Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) This kind of five, however, only to Michigan State, on Sunday, Indiana’s men’s Comments: Well-crafted columns built on solid foundations was the kind delivered by the road, among the Big of facts. He proves the best columns are the best-reported basketball team experienced a five-fingered open hand Ten’s elite teams. ones. an altogether different smack right to the Hoosiers’ Indiana’s infamously feeling. Second place face. poor nonconference slate The sting of disrespect. Andy Graham It hurt, and while the likely tripped it up in The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Bracketologists by Selection Sunday-induced the committee’s eyes, so Comments: Engaging, friendly style feels like a friendly chat trade and those who do it perhaps, did a 20-point loss with the guy waiting in line at the coffee shop. redness on the Hoosiers’ face via the Monday morning fades with every passing at Duke, a team close to the Hoosiers on the seed line. A Third place quarterbacking route (is there day, it’s still hard to believe Ryan O’Leary a difference?) all agreed that Hoosiers were so under- three-point loss to Michigan The Republic (Columbus) that the Hoosiers, regular seeded. in the Big Ten Tournament Comments: Nicely written with a relatable style that I’m sure season champions of the Big didn’t help either. The Hoosiers’ fate was has a loyal following. Ten Conference, would be a part of a theme the NCAA However, the team that top-four seed in the NCAA selection committee will play today at Wells Tournament field. Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 demonstrated as it was Fargo Arena against But when CBS revealed apparently hellbent on saying Chattanooga, is the one that See Page 67 for all divisions. the Hoosiers’ fate (or before to the Big Ten that it wasn’t For complete story, see if you saw the infamous very good during the 2015- www.hspafoundation.org leaked bracket), there was a 16 season. Michigan State? Click on “Contests.”

Page 53 Division 5

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Tim Bath Kokomo Tribune House fire Comments: Such a haunting, spectacular photo.

Second place Jeremy Hogan The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Missing baby vigil Comments: Heartbreaking photo of a vigil. Captures the moment respectfully and with clarity.

Third place Tim Bath Kokomo Tribune Night fire

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Tim Bath Kokomo Tribune Propane training Comments: What a striking image! Difficult to shoot well, beautiful and technically difficult. Great shot.

Second place Jordan Kartholl The Star Press (Muncie) Graduation night Comments: What a transformative shot.

Third place Kelly Lafferty Gerber Kokomo Tribune Cops 4 Kidz

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Mike Wolanin The Republic (Columbus) Back to State Comments: Best mix of composition, focus and other technical details that pushed this to No. 1.

Second place Kelly Lafferty Gerber Kokomo Tribune Little League joy Comments: Perfect moment accentuated by the shallow focus. Just a great shot.

Third place David Snodgress The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Performance dunk Comments: Dunk photos often feature animated players, but this shot is just fun to look at.

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Chris Howell The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Loose ball Comments: I like how it’s cropped to have everything center on the ball.

Second place Jim Avelis Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Out! Comments: You can feel the bone-crunching impact. Great moment captured well.

Third place Kelly Lafferty Gerber Kokomo Tribune Basketball twist

Page 54 Division 5

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Jordan Kartholl The Star Press (Muncie) Flag climber Comments: Great combination of timing and framing. The shot is so interesting and alive.

Second place Joseph C. Garza Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Derby drama Comments: Who wouldn’t get caught up in the emotion of this picture?

Third place Mike Wolanin The Republic (Columbus) Precise Plastic Comments: Composition is great, deals with some tricky lighting. I love all the detail captured.

Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Chris Howell The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Music education Comments: Creative in capturing many aspects of the classroom and the way the teacher interacts with the kids, even one showing her exhaustion away from students.

Second place Jordan Kartholl The Star Press (Muncie) Meth raids Comments: Emotionally charged, visceral. Some tough images to digest. Nice work.

Third place Jordan Kartholl The Star Press (Muncie) Dog rescue in county Comments: Heart-breaking and tender and raw. Photos capture the little moments along with the big, especially with that dog.

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Chris Howell The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Music teacher Comments: In-depth pieces truly capture inspiring atmosphere in teacher’s classroom. Good use of interview, classroom footage and photos.

Second place Jordan Kartholl The Star Press (Muncie) Kassidy’s creativity Comments: Wonderful profile, decent editing, touching subject. A delightful piece.

Third place Corey Ohlenkamp The Star Press (Muncie) Civil War days Comments: Good mix of interviews and creative shots.

Page 55 Division 5

Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Bob Zaltsberg The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: Nice clean layout, with some breakouts so the readers’ eyes can jump around the page and not see just blocks of text.

Second place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Comments: I like the use of illustrations to make the pages pop more. The “contact your lawmakers” in each edition is a nice touch.

Third Place Max Jones Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Comments: The reader’s forum is a great way to get many voices heard, from local officials to the average reader.

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Comments: Each graphic takes information that might be overwhelming and transforms it into an easy-to-read and fun format.

Second place Rodney Ogle Kokomo Tribune Comments: Great way to think outside the box.

Third place Bill Thornbro The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: The graphics used in The Herald Times are easy to understand but are not necessarily required for understanding the story.

Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place Staff The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: Sophisticated coverage and stellar design make this stand out.

Second place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Comments: Wall-to-wall coverage of their local sports fran- chise with eye-popping design and meticulous attention to detail. We love it.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Go! Comments: This is the kind of feature section you want to adopt.

Second place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Lifestyle

Third place Carol Kugler, Jennifer Tilley & Bill Thornbro The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Outdoors Comments: It is so refreshing to see an Outdoors section that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

Page 56 Division 5 Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Staff Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Comments: Photo layout gives the page a nice look.

Second place Kurt Christian & Jenny Tilley The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: Local briefs on the front page provide a nice look into what is happening around the area.

Third place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Comments: Good subheds and info boxes to break up a lot of text.

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Staff The Star Press (Muncie) 2020 Focus Comments: Thoughtful approach with diverse, well-written stories and well-executed use of design and photo elements.

Second place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Salute Comments: Thoughtful articles. Good use of images throughout. Compelling design. Engaging, well-executed section.

Third place Staff The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Indiana 2015-16 Basketball PreviewComments: Informative and entertaining section. Well-written stories. Good use of images and design elements.

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Lauren Slagter & Martin Slagter Kokomo Tribune Concentrated poverty

Second place Mark Bennett, Sue Loughlin & Staff Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) City on the brink

Third place Michael Reschke & Mary Keck The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Losing sleep

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Staff The Republic (Columbus) Comments: The use of space and creativity with the imagery to supplement the stories are superb.

Second place Staff Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) Comments: The imagery and layout of the paper are very pleasing.

Third place Staff The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Comments: The overall design of the paper was good.

Page 57 Council member facing charges Division 6 Sarah Reese, Ed Bierschenk Battle had not been Ave., which had surveillance & Elvia Malagon formally charged in cameras on the exterior, and The Times (Munster) Best News Coverage Under Deadline connection with the Sept. 23 executed a search warrant Pressure/Category 1 An East Chicago City traffic stop as of Monday — there. Police Chief Mark Council member was the same day he is alleged to Becker said Wednesday First place charged Wednesday with have shot Reimundo “Rey” investigators were still Sarah Reese, Ed Bierschenk & Elvia Malagon The Times (Munster) killing a man once linked Camarillo Jr., 31, of East following up on leads related E.C. council member faces murder, drug charges to a street gang and accused Chicago, once in the back. to items recovered from the Comments: Now that was some hustle. This piece has depth in a separate federal case of Police found Camarillo home, but he declined to say and context and detail, which is some of the highest praise I intent to distribute marijuana. facedown with blood coming specifically what was found. can give a story reported and written in a day. Robert “Coop” Battle, from his nose about 8 a.m. When asked if there is a 42, who represents East in an alley behind a home at link between Camarillo’s Second place Chicago’s 3rd District, is 4226 Euclid Ave., according homicide and the federal Erin Blasko, Jeff Parrott & Howard Dukes South Bend Tribune running unopposed in the to Lake Criminal Court marijuana case, Becker said Rally cry for Hoosier votes Nov. 3 election. records. Battle lives at 4228 he couldn’t comment. Comments: Smart use of social media and video to reach The marijuana charges Euclid Ave., according to an Camarillo was at one audiences throughout the day in multiple ways. stem in part from Battle’s arrest report. time an alleged member arrest Sept. 23 after police Residents reported of the Two Six street Third place found 73.22 grams of hearing men arguing loudly, gang, according to Lake Staff The Times (Munster) marijuana and $100,700 and the city’s ShotSpotter County court records. He School bus crash in cash wrapped in rubber technology indicated three was sentenced in 2005 to Comments: The level of detail here and multiple perspectives bands during a traffic gunshots in the area, a eight years in prison after on the accident set this story apart. stop on Interstate 94 near probable cause affidavit says. he admitted to wounding Chesterton, according to the Camarillo was pronounced a woman when he fired an federal complaint. It’s not dead at the scene. AK-47 rifle at a home in the Best News Coverage With No Deadline the first time Battle has faced Police found blood on For complete story, see Pressure/Category 2 marijuana charges, court door handles at 4228 Euclid www.hspafoundation.org. records show. Click on “Contests.” First place Thomas B. Langhorne, Jessie M. Higgins & Jay M. Young Evansville Courier & Press Trying to get home Trying to get home Thomas B. Langhorne, operator as Shaina traveled funeral. Her family and Jessie M. Higgins & in the left lane. Chris’ closest friends then escorted Jay M. Young headlights appeared in the her flower draped coffin to Second place Evansville Courier & Press Virginia Black distance, coming fast. Oak Hill Cemetery. South Bend Tribune Shaina Carter left work in Shaina hit her brakes. It Shaina (pronounced Profits over prisoners Haubstadt about 10:40 p.m was too late. “Shay-nah”), 32, left behind Jan. 21. She was texting with Dwan and their four sons. a friend as she cruised down Shaina Carter, 32, leaves Third place The day she died, they were Abbey Doyle Indiana 68 and merged south behind a husband and four 12, 9, 8 and 6. Evansville Courier & Press onto Interstate 69 — heading young boys. Chris Goolsby, A real blessing home to Evansville. 36, is survived by his two “They don’t really children, family and scores understand,” Shaina’s mom, Chris Goolsby had just of friends that loved him. Cindy Floyd, said a few left a weekly poker game Best Ongoing News Coverage/Category 3 days after the funeral. “We from a bar on North Green These are their stories — try to explain it to them that River Road. He was drunk the journeys that led them First place Mommy’s in heaven, but Team — twice the legal limit. each to Mile Marker 13 on they keep asking why she’s The Times (Munster) He probably meant to go the southbound lanes of Great Lakes Basin Transportation not here.” south toward his home in 1-69. Comments: Excellent journalism, providing thorough The youngest two were coverage that examined all sides and, importantly, gave Uniontown, Kentucky. Long after the graveside voice to citizens as well as valuable information on how they He did travel into the service ended, Dwan Carter especially confused, she could get involved in the issue. southbound lanes of I-69. stood alone, staring at his said. When Shaina’s casket But he was driving north. wife’s casket. opened at the funeral they Second place clutched their teddy bears A motorist spotted him Hundreds packed the For complete story, see Christian Sheckler & Jeff Parrott near Lynch Road. She likely South Bend Tribune pews at Christian Tabernacle www.hspafoundation.org. Tragedy hits home was speaking with the 911 that day for Shaina Carter’s Click on “Contests.” Comments: What started as a tragic spot-news story was developed into solid, ongoing coverage of an important issue that touches many lives. Not on my land, residents say Team Wolfe said, predicting, “The wary after coming out of Third place The Times (Munster) cows won’t milk with all that battles fighting the Illiana Mark Wilson Two generations have noise coming through. We Expressway, the idea of the Evansville Courier & Press won’t be able to get across South Shore coming down Candidate admits to sexual misdeeds worked the Wolfe Brothers to our hay and crop fields. here or the (Singleton) Comments: Dogged reporting, careful writing on a sensitive Farm with plans to pass story. it on to the children, until Everything we and father’s quarry. It’s being received someone drew a line worked for will all go down poorly.” through it big enough to the drain. The reception may get accommodate up to 110 “My oldest boy is vocal at 5:30 p.m. April 12 at rumbling freight trains per graduating this year. He is the Veterans of Foreign Wars day. already adding to the herd hall, 17401 Morse St., in The 278-mile route of the with 12 of his own he’s Lowell, at a public meeting proposed Great Lakes Basin bought. My youngest wants of the Surface Transportation Rail Line slashes diagonally to do the green farming. Board, a federal agency across their 265 acres near They want to stay right here overseeing the project. the Lake-Porter county on the farm. But we will be The board also will meet border and has stirred anger done. We will have to pick 5:30 p.m. April 13 at the and fear among residents up and leave. It’s just sad. American Legion Banquet from Boone Grove to We don’t know what else we Hall, 203 S. Washington St., Lowell; many consider this can do,” Wolfe said. Wanatah, in LaPorte County, another unwanted intrusion Lowell Town Councilman and 5:30 p.m. April 14 at the on their rural communities. Chris Salatas said he is For complete story, see “I don’t see why they want trying to keep an open www.hspafoundation.org. to put it right here,” Dawn mind, but “the residents are Click on “Contests.” Page 58 Candidates’ blank beneath poverty Division 6 Jon Webb p.m. plywood benches with eight Evansville Courier & Press Killed were Gena total seat belts. According to Best General Commentary/Category 4 The super-rich and the Moise, 60, and 19-year-old the Gibson County Sheriff’s office, every tire exhibited First place middle class. We’ll hear Christela Georges. Georges Jon Webb a lot about both groups was pregnant. Her child, “extreme” dry rot. Police Evansville Courier & Press as we spend the next year forcibly born three months investigators called it a Comments: Mixes poignancy with humor. The first column, riding the wave of nonsense premature, was in critical “death trap.” listing the victims, was more powerful than discussing vio- toward the 2016 presidential condition as of Friday night. Imagine looking at that lence and gun issues. election. Most, if not all of the van and knowing it was your only option. Sure, it could Second place What we won’t hear passengers, are, and were, Karen Francisco about is the poor. The kind Haitian immigrants. kill you, but what choice The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) of people who pile into a do you have? You have to They were headed from Comments: Explains current issues well, particularly for read- van with bald tires and a survive. Washington, Indiana, to ers who may not know everything. Mixes local and national wooden bumper. The kind the AmeriQual processing According to U.S. Census relevancy well. of people who will do any facility on U.S. 41, where data, more than 46 million kind of work they can find in they worked as temps Americans live in poverty. Third place desperate hope of bettering Abbey Doyle through Service Xpress. But as Americans, we ignore their situation. Evansville Courier & Press Twenty-four of them it. We always have. And Comments: Very heartfelt. Brought back memories of my The kind of people who had crammed into what we’ll never find a solution. own past homes and being there with family. Column about died on Thursday. was supposed to be a Part of the reason is her dad and her son are very personal. She shares her own life well with readers. Two people were killed 16-passenger van for a because poverty has become and 22 were injured when 70-mile slog down the such a large problem in a packed 1994 Dodge van interstate. the U.S. that it would be Best Editorial Writer/Category 5 blew a tire and flipped over About that van: The back For complete story, see First place near the Fort Branch exit of seats were stripped out. In www.hspafoundation.org Tim Harmon Interstate 69 just after 3:30 their place were two long Click on “Contests.” The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Comments: Takes on controversial issues with a clear focus. After a tragedy, city stands tall Second place Tim Harmon judgment on social media to seek information anyone Karen Francisco The Journal Gazette and traditional media around might have about the crime The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) (Fort Wayne) the country. Though local and to reassure everyone Comments: Takes on local issues and does a good job of What makes a city media stuck to the facts, that there was no evidence telling readers why those issues should matter. exceptional? A growing the Internet was abuzz with the killings had been hate downtown? A thriving arts erroneous assertions and crimes. Best Business/Economic News Coverage/ community? Trail systems? unfounded suspicions. “3 At a news conference Category 6 Riverfront development? young Muslim Americans Tuesday night at the Expanding educational and killed in mysterious Universal Education First place employment opportunities? ‘execution-style’ murders,” Foundation Islamic Center, Keith Benman read a headline on Vox The Times (Munster) All of the above and more, families and friends of Electricity power struggle of course. Media. A Huffington Post Omar and Tairab stood in a article implied that the Comments: Reporter used his years of experience and depth But cities are also judged long row as a spokesman, of sources to dive into an important topic. Strong coverage murders were being ignored, Abdelaziz Hassab, expressed on a subject that affects all, but likely interests few because by how they respond to and included downloads of challenges like the one that their grief for the victims. of its complexity. Nice job breaking it down to make it under- letters to send to local and “They all had one thing in standable and interesting. began last week when three state officials urging them to murder victims were found common,” he said, coming ask the Fort Wayne Police to to Fort Wayne “searching for Second place in a home on East Lewis investigate the crimes. Ted Booker Street. a better life, and peace.” South Bend Tribune “It’s taken on a life of its He also thanked the law Local television landscape faces a shake-up Mohamedtaha Omar, 23; own,” police spokesman Adam Kamel Mekki, 20; enforcement authorities who Comments: Strong reporting on an interesting topic that’s Michael Joyner said this are working to solve the sure to have mass appeal. Good use of subheads and info and Muhannad Adam Tairab, week. boxes to make it visually appealing, as well. 17; were each shot several case, noting that they had times. Omar and Tairab Meanwhile, police were kept the families informed Third place were Muslims; Mekki was a working quickly, sensitively and honored the need to have Joseph Pete Christian. and effectively with autopsies conducted quickly The Times (Munster) members of the local Muslim so that the young men could Steel woes The shock of that tragic community to identify the For complete story, see Comments: Nice folos on an important topic. Shows that find was soon compounded victims and reach relatives, www.hspafoundation.org good business stories can run elsewhere than just the biz by regrettable leaps to Click on “Contests.” section. A1 worthy indeed. Industry challenges utility rates Keith Benman of Indiana, recently spoke than Indiana, according to The Times (Munster) to a small group of Indiana U.S. Energy Information Electricity power struggle legislators before a tour of Administration data. By Indiana’s near lowest- the plant. 2015, 25 states had lower in-the-nation energy prices But Easterday, a lifelong prices than Indiana. Average were a key reason the Hoosier, said he’s not so industrial electricity prices Japanese maker of Subaru sure Subaru parent company have surged 75 percent in vehicles chose Lafayette Fuji Heavy Industries would Indiana in that time, while over sites in six other make the same decision only increasing 37 percent in states in 1986 to start U.S. today. That is because the nation as a whole. production of the then little- industrial electricity prices “We are losing that known brand. have soared in Indiana in the tremendous advantage Today, production has last decade, including those we once had,” Easterday surged to around 300,000 charged by Duke Energy, told legislators and a few vehicles per year and more which serves Subaru and other local business people than 3,800 people work at other manufacturers in the that morning at the plant’s the sprawling auto plant just Lafayette area. training center. off Interstate 65. In 2003, only four states in Easterday’s briefing Tom Easterday, Executive the nation had lower average For complete story, see Vice President of Subaru industrial electricity prices www.hspafoundation.org. Click on “Contests.” Page 59 4-H’ers winging it Division 6 BK relishes hot dog market

Headline Writing/Category 7 Being millionaire was in cards

First place Staff Staff South Bend Tribune South Bend Tribune 4-H’ers winging it // Becoming a millionaire in the cards // Burger King relishes chance to make a name in hot Four veterans from unit killed self dog market Comments: Nice play on words linking “winging it” with story Jessie Higgins returning from their 2008 here in Evansville,” said on chickens. Evansville Courier & Press tour in Iraq. Shanna Rodenburg. “She April James spent hours at Ronald Zeller was the first. was just so sweet. She really Second place stepped in and tried to make Dan Riordan Justin’s grave. He died on March 18, 2011. me feel like part of the The Times (Munster) In Iraq, the two National Then William Waller, July 5, group.” Corn visitors roast in C.P. // Long weekend a business Guard soldiers needed 2013; Justin Williams, Nov. ‘boom’ // Commissioners not a long for ride each other to survive. That 3, 2013; and April James on Shanna and April became Comments: I like the way the weather was compared to May 24, 2015. fast friends. roasting corn. continued, in a different way, after they came home. “They were all the same,” At that time, they were Third place Overwhelmed and grieving, said Justin’s father, John enlisted in Indiana’s 113th Jeanette Lach they leaned on each other. Williams. “All of them. battalion — the first local The Times (Munster) But it wasn’t enough. Why? Why is there four unit that would deploy to Nothing but net gain // Couple’s hot rod on fire // from one platoon?” Afghanistan. Arriving in Relaxed, not in tents In November 2013 Sgt. that war-torn country was Comments: Clever way of introducing a story that some Justin Williams killed To the families, the like stepping into a different might not find interesting. himself. He was 25. suicides seemed to come with little warning. Now world, Shanna said. On a warm spring day 18 they see there were subtle In their first days, the Best Short Feature Story/Category 8 months later, April spent a signs all along. friends could only linger in laughter-filled evening with the tent city that would be First place friends, then curled up with A GOOD MEMORY Jessie Higgins their home that year. Evansville Courier & Press her three dogs to watch TV. April joined the National Four veterans from one unit have killed self Around 3 a.m., she walked Guard right out of high “We got there, and Comments: This is a great example of how to combine solid to her backyard with a pistol school. It surprised her everyone was standing news reporting with emotional storytelling. The writer caught and shot herself. family, but her friends said around, and we realized: me from the first sentence and kept me there. The clear There was no place to sit!” With that, Sgt. April it was a natural fit. She was winner. Shanna said. Lynn James, 32, became the adventurous and brave — Second place fourth Evansville veteran kind of a tom boy. And the Joseph Dits from the Indiana Army Army would pay for college. For complete story, see South Bend Tribune National Guard’s 163rd unit www.hspafoundation.org. Heritage trail on the river “She was one of the first to commit suicide since Click on “Contests.” Comments: Recreation topics don’t often get a chance to people I met at the armory shine or are thought of as niche, but through solid reporting and writing we get this interesting story of how history, Finding peace after shattered dream nostalgia, and recreation can have a positive community impact. Well done. Mike Vorel placed over his head. “I woke up in the jail cell South Bend Tribune That he threatened to with my shirt off, swollen Third place Will Mahone’s Notre kill police officers, in no eye,” he said. “There have Virginia Black been times when I’ve South Bend Tribune Dame football career ended uncertain terms. sometime after 6 p.m., blacked out and woke up, but Social Security kills off widow too soon “(Expletive) you, you on June 14, 2014, when never to that extent. I was Comments: No one wants to be declared dead when he or white piece of (expletive). she is in fact alive, and this article explains just one of the he soaked his insecurities nervous, because I didn’t Take these cuffs off and I’ll reasons why. I’m sure this is a piece readers talked about. in Fireball whiskey until know what happened at all. kill you. I’ll (expletive) kill something inside him you!” “I asked the officer, ‘What snapped. happened?’ He said, ‘You Best Profile Feature/Category 9 “Take these cuffs off and I The police report states don’t remember a thing? First place will kill all of you!” You did some damage. You Mike Vorel that, when officers arrived South Bend Tribune at the graduation party on “Bro when I get out I got assaulted an officer.’” Finding peace after shattered dream Rita Avenue in Austintown, a Glock 9 (millimeter hand For Mahone, the damage Comments: Catching up with player whose implosion made Ohio, bystanders told them gun) for your (expletive).” was widespread. Two and a more news than his time on the field is a good impulse, Mahone had been “head- Mahone’s whiskey-coated half months before what was and the writer seems to have asked Mahone the difficult butting and punching words still sting 20 months supposed to be the start of questions, gotten reasonably specific answers and done a vehicles as well as good job of triangulating with other sources, which adds up later. his junior season, the running to a compelling piece. attempting to fight several back-turned-receiver was individuals.” “I believe I said some of those things, absolutely,” charged with three felonies Second place He was a 5-foot-11, 214- (assault on a police officer, Keiara Carr Mahone confided. “Not pound wrecking ball. because that’s how I feel intimidation and vandalism) The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) and two misdemeanors Higgins is just Ben in Warsaw His anger, his in my heart, but from past (disorderly conduct and Comments: Lively writing and nice pacing and some good dissatisfaction — his experiences, I’ve said some resisting arrest). scene-setting, too. People care about reality TV. Rooting a darkness — was coming to wild stuff when I’m drunk.” reality star in his community is a fine starting point for a story. light. “Most of (the police The police report can tell you what he did. Third place The Austintown Police report’s account) probably is Thomas B. Langhorne Department reported that correct,” he added. It can’t tell you why. Evansville Courier & Press Mahone resisted arrest; that The outburst that ‘A great leader’ Riecken shows her gumption he “whipped his head back effectively ended his career Comments: This profile did a good job of delving into the in an aggressive manner” The ‘why’ is a matter of candidate’s history, giving readers a sense of her style and as a student-athlete at Notre ‘who.’ the route she’d traveled. and struck an officer in the Dame, that steamrolled his forehead; that he needed to reputation, that left his left Who is will Mahone? be stunned with a Taser not eye swollen and his head For so long, the answer once, but twice; that, once throbbing and his future a was easy. In his senior forced inside the police car, muddled mess, remains a season at Fitch High School he attempted to kick out the mystery to him. in Austintown, a suburb of windows; that he sprayed The drinks meshed For complete story, see saliva on the interior of the www.hspafoundation.org. vehicle until a “spit net” was together and left a crushing darkness behind. Click on “Contests.” Page 60 Just what they want Division 6 Steve Warden that provides shade and anticipating the following The Journal Gazette folding canvas chairs have year. (Fort Wayne) been taken down, and Betty But only a few days ago, Best In-Depth Feature or Feature It has been more than a Rowe and Beth Clendenen within the vast dining hall, Package/Category 10 week since Camp Watcha and their other nursing 99 young lunchtime campers Wanna Do, which provides colleagues from Lutheran First place pounded the wooden picnic Steve Warden a summer camp for children Hospital have emptied the tables and stomped their feet The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) with cancer, said goodbye Med Shed, which is the and chanted, “Sing us a song, Just what they want to its 99-member class of camp’s medical facility. After Ben, sing us a song! We 2016. They arrived with their returning daily medications won’t give up till you stand Second place parents on a Sunday and left to each child’s parents, they, up! Sing us a song, Ben, sing Giles Bruce that Friday. too, have also gone back to us a song!” The Times (Munster) their regular jobs. Drug-addicted inmates pioneer new treatment By now, camp vice Relenting to the masses, approach president Jim Casaburo Canoes once filled with counselor Ben Dehr stood has put away his climbing excited children have been tall on the bench where he Third place helmet and cargo shorts and stored, and the swimming sat and, with gusto and his Keiara Carr returned to his livelihood beach on the edge of arms outstretched, belted The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) as a restaurateur. By now, Blackman Lake that frothed Philharmonic musicians find balance out, “And I-I-I, will al-ways volunteer Vince Wirtner has with laughter is serene. The lo-ove you-u-u-u…!” traded in his eye-blazing tie- saddled horses that provided And although the large Best Sports Event Coverage/Category 11 dyed T-shirt for his apparel rides probably rest in their as a priest, and Kal Oakman stables. The imposing giant hall is empty now, and First place has gone back to work at the swing, its platforms 30 certainly quieter, Ben’s Jim Peters B.F. Goodrich plant, having and 40 feet high, is now version of Whitney The Times (Munster) Houston’s memorable A cruel finish donated one week of his empty. The tall oak trees For complete story, see Comments: Topsy-turvy playoffs get a new meaning when allotted vacation time. around it now only whisper among themselves, perhaps www.hspafoundation.org. your team bus rolls over, doesn’t it? Writer captures the pain The 10-foot square canopy Click on “Contests.” and possibilities with great details and telling quotes.

Second place Eric Hansen A cruel finish South Bend Tribune Second to one Jim Peters a team of destiny.” said. The Times (Munster) Comments: What a great story-telling moment! Reads more Early in the fourth quarter, Murphy’s free throws like Greek Odyssey than a gamer. Good job with the details Basketball is a great game. it was looking that way. The halted the run at 4:02 and no and with giving up the conventional narrative form. It can also be a cruel game. Panthers (25-4) opened a one scored before a Kelston Third place Four days removed from 55-46 lead on Al Ervin free Haden fortuitously bounced Gordon Engelhardt an accident in which its bus throws, matching the largest a free-throw attempt up off Evansville Courier & Press flipped on I-65, Griffith margin of the game. the top of the backboard and A matter of inches lost the Class 3A Northern “Things didn’t look good, in to tie the game at 58. Comments: Ouch. The little things mean everything in Semistate when Gage March. Good details and good quotes. but there was a lot of time After a frantic exchange of Pinkerton’s rebound basket left on the clock,” Marion multiple possessions, Marion with 1.2 seconds lifted coach James Blackmon said. (22-7) had the ball for the Best Sports News or Feature Coverage Marion to a 60-58 victory at “We had to concentrate on final chance. It missed a 3 Category 12 Lafayette Jefferson. the defensive end. We made but gained a held ball with stops and gave ourselves the 18.4 left, then struggled First place “A lot of our guys thought Steve Hanlon he was over the back,” opportunity.” to in-bound it, an official The Times (Munster) Panthers coach Gary Hayes Back-to-back 3s cut pointing the Giants way Making the grade said. “I feel so bad for the the margin to three and following a scramble on the Comments: Brilliantly and perfected sourced story on an kids for what they went consecutive steals fueled baseline. important topic. The sources in this story and their lives after through. We were concerned high school make the point on academic performance better a 12-0 Giants surge that “I hate to say it, but the than any coach or teacher’s lecture. Should be required pre- six hours ago who we were pushed them in front 58-55 guy was going out of bounds season reading for every high school athlete … or maybe going to put on the floor. with 4:54 left. and touched the ball,” When you’ve been upside middle school athletes, too. “We were going too Hayes said. “We thought down in a bus, to tell me fast, taking quick shots,” For complete story, see Second place we were going to do this, Griffith’s Tremell Murphy www.hspafoundation.org. Steve Hanlon sometimes you think you’re Click on “Contests.” The Times (Munster) A champion defined Comments: Wow! This is on the sports page? My heart was in my throat. What a brave kid. Great story-telling by a com- Making the grade passionate, thoughtful writer. Steve Hanlon basketball programs started Gelon said. “I would’ve The Times (Munster) noticing Gelon; the kid could woke up and stopped Third place shoot the lights out. napping sooner. I was Jim Peters Grant Gelon was half The Times (Munster) asleep in the back of the In conversations with getting my license at the Here today, gone tomorrow classroom at Crown Point coaches one sentence kept time, and my dad pointed Comments: Good examination of a topic that is bigger than High School a few years ago. coming up: “If you want out my insurance cost would what fans imagine. Excellent sourcing, real impacts and His mind wandered away to open up more doors you be much lower with good memorable quotes make it a winner. from the textbook in front have to raise your GPA.” grades. I wanted to drive so of his face. His Division I Gelon hit the books hard and that was a motivation, too. basketball dreams always finally cracked down. In one It’s not just basketball. The seemed far into the distance. calendar year, the 6-foot-6 doors for everything open up more wider when you take So like a lot of teenage phenom raised his GPA a academics seriously.” boys the only thing he full letter grade. On National thought about was the orange Letter of Intent Signing Day With lower than normal bouncing ball. he sent his paperwork to graduation rates in football Indiana University coach and men’s basketball, the “It was a maturity thing,” Tom Crean. NCAA raised its academic said Gelon, a senior shooting requirements for eligibility. guard for the Bulldogs. “My His uplifted GPA over a These are the standards that freshman and sophomore 3.0 had as much to do with must be met after 2016. years I didn’t take it serious.” becoming a Hoosier as his raw skill, maybe more. A high school student- Then, his game shot up toward the ceiling, like his “If I could go back I For complete story, see would’ve started earlier,” www.hspafoundation.org. physical height. Mid-major Click on “Contests.” Page 61 In defense for Daniel Murphy Division 6 Hillary Smith anyway, which is, in part, and if there are any known The Times (Munster) what prompts my respect allergies. The baby’s heart I have a new-found that he stuck around for the rate can be heard somewhere allowed three days. in the background while Best Sports Columnist/Category 13 appreciation for Daniel Murphy. My husband took a call mom’s blood pressure First place is being taken every 15 The N.Y. Mets second nine weeks ago that first- Hillary Smith minutes. The Times (Munster) baseman famously — or time fathers fear. Four weeks Comments: A smart and courageous storyteller who uses infamously — took himself before her due date, our Then, after an anesthesia the facts to make her case on three different and delightful out of the lineup on opening daughter was forced to make needle to the back, the baby, topics. Well done. day in 2014 to be with his an early appearance, one coming early enough to be wife for the birth of their first that required an emergency called a preemie, is whisked Second place child. C-Section. away to the Special Care Steve Hanlon Unit, where only visitors The Times (Munster) His decision to take For those questioning in hospital gowns can visit Comments: He knows it is much more than a game ... and paternity leave as the season Murphy’s dedication, I can her. The shock to the system finds the heart and the soul of competition and its practitio- started ignited a firestorm of only speak from experience, plus the anesthesia wearing ners to engage us with the humanity of sport. criticism on sports talk radio, but here’s what happens: off makes the mother shake with pundits questioning his between the time the uncontrollably for hours, Third place dedication to the team and shocked parents — worried Gordon Engelhardt and her legs are so numb she the fans if he’s willing to most about the baby — are Evansville Courier & Press can’t stand or move. Comments: Lovely stories about nice people who happen to miss opening day. Boomer told their lives are about play sports. Beautiful eye for detail, rich use of history and a Esiason recommended his to change and the cutting Nine hours later, it takes personal, engaged style make these sweet reading. wife should have had a actually starts, there’s about a kind nurse to finally C-Section before the season an hour or so to call the introduce mom to daughter, started, comments he later grandparents-to-be, call but the nurse can’t leave Best Editorial Cartoonist/Category 14 apologized for. the office and text friends, the room, because the drugs and all the while nurses See Page 67 for all divisions. Turns out Murphy’s wife For complete story, see are asking questions about ultimately had a Cesarian www.hspafoundation.org. when the mother last ate Click on “Contests.”

Page 62 Division 6

Best Spot News Photo/Category 15 First place Samuel Hoffman The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Laser X fire Comments: This photo stuns with a quiet intensity. Great crop, great exposure. Unique vision. Captivating.

Second place Santiago Flores South Bend Tribune Eddy fire Comments: Tragic moment captured well. Good use of shallow focus. Heartrending to behold.

Third place Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) Griffith bus crash

Best General News Photo/Category 16 First place Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) Protests for Laquan Comments: The action is accentuated with the slow shutter, thrown into contrast with the cop in sharp focus.

Second place Robert Franklin South Bend Tribune Sentencing of a murderer Comments: Knowing the subject is a murder convict is a juxtaposition that makes this picture instantly memorable and infuriating.

Third place Denny Simmons Evansville Courier & Press Christmas warmth

Best Sports Feature Photo/Category 17 First place Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) Chesterton wins! Comments: The way it’s composed, the players in an arc, the emotion, the tilt of the camera, the focus, it just draws you in.

Second place Michael Caterina South Bend Tribune Selfie championship Comments: Perfectly framed. I love all the details captured in this frozen moment, especially the little boy.

Third place Chad Ryan The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Leo boys win tennis regional

Best Sports Action Photo/Category 18 First place Chad Ryan The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Panthers win wild ride Comments: This picture has it all: timing, focus, composition, emotion.

Second place Alex Slitz Evansville Courier & Press Relay Comments: Love it when pictures tells a story, and this one has an emotional one. Excellent composition, beautiful to boot.

Third place Robert Franklin South Bend Tribune Overshot

Page 63 Division 6

Best Feature Photo/Category 19 First place Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) Tractor pull at the Lake County Fair Comments: There is something heartbreaking and hilarious about the little boy’s expression. A delightful photo, well-composed and engaging.

Second place Chad Ryan The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Nighttime bike trip lights up park Comments: Always a tricky effect to pull off, the light streaks are beautiful and lively and really give the picture a strange quality. Very interesting shot.

Third place Jonathan Miano The Times (Munster) I Can’t Stop Loving You Charity Weekend Comments: I love the composition and exposure on this shot. Great moment with lots of subtle emotion.

Best Multiple Picture Group/Category 20 First place Michael Caterina South Bend Tribune Unified Track Comments: Treasure trove of great pictures. Lot of creativity on display, as photographer took on a variety of angles and types of shots, some in difficult lighting. They capture the ten- derness and elation of the day. Excellent collection of shots.

Second place Denny Simmons Evansville Courier & Press Polar Express Comments: Great shots in what was likely challenging lighting. Some of the expressions on the kids’ faces are just gold. Great collection.

Third place Mike Lawrence Evansville Courier & Press Memorial Comments: Takes full advantage of geometry and colors of the cemetery, creative and well-composed shots.

Best Picture Story with Audio or Video Story/Category 21 First place Robert Franklin South Bend Tribune The moment Comments: Clear winner for providing value viewers may not have had access to, seeing the inner workings of the TV station. That combines with great videography, sound and editing. The complete package with a heart-breaking and compelling subject to boot. Informative and great work.

Second place Chad Ryan The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Strangers pay veteran respect Comments: Clearly a concerted effort. Well-framed shots with a good eye for detail. Runs a little long, though it’s good material.

Third place Damian Rico The Times (Munster) It started with a wish Comments: Touching subject, good interviews, good videography with a mix of shots. Little rough around the edges, but good work.

Page 64 Division 6

Best Editorial Page/Category 22 First place Staff South Bend Tribune Comments: Has a very nice mix of viewpoints, allowing all sides to be heard on controversial issues. The design and layout is very eye-catching.

Second place Staff Evansville Courier & Press Comments: The page has a nice mix of local and national opinions and voices. The addition of reader voice, prevalent throughout, is a nice touch and helps keep the paper relevant to local readers.

Third Place Staff The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Comments: From columnists to editorials to the cheers sections that lets readers point out the good in the world, this page has a large variety of content to keep even the most opinionated reader happy.

Best Use of Graphics/Category 23 First place John Stump & C.J. Major South Bend Tribune Comments: The use of graphics were all creative ways to display the desired information with great execution.

Second place Deborah Hile & Diane Cunningham The Times (Munster)

Third place Gregg Bender The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne)

Best Online Site/Web Page/Category 24 See Page 12 for all divisions.

Best Sports Section/Category 25 First place Staff The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Comments: I particularly enjoyed the fine attention they pay to the nuts and bolts; the schedules, the standings, the what’s next.

Second place Staff The Times (Munster) Comments: Nice design, good stories, well-written and thoughtful columns. What’s not to like?

Third place Staff South Bend Tribune Comments: Nice enterprise and outstanding layout. Nothing to fault here.

Best Feature Section or Pages/ Category 26 First place Staff South Bend Tribune In the Bend Comments: Two factors made this section the clear winner: The strong locally driven copy; and the equally as creative and compelling design.

Second place Staff The Times (Munster) Go!

Third place Staff The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Weekender

Page 65 Division 6

Best Business Section or Pages/ Category 27 First place Staff The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Comments: A consistently strong section. Loved the holiday shopping guide.

Second place Staff The Times (Munster)

Best Special Section/Category 28 First place Staff The Times (Munster) Then & Now Comments: Nicely paced section with diverse, well-written stories. Great layout/design compliment thoughtful articles.

Second place Staff South Bend Tribune Rise of a rivalry Comments: Informative and fun to read. Wonderful use of images, graphics and outstanding sportswriting create a keepsake for football fans.

Third place Doug Ross The Times (Munster) Historic Times Comments: Compelling collection of covers and stories. Well-executed and entertaining approach.

Best Community Service/Category 29 First place Alesia Redding, Margaret Fosmoe & Jeff Parrott South Bend Tribune Pulling down the veil

Best Newspaper Design/Category 30 First place Staff South Bend Tribune Comments: Great overall display of layout and design knowledge makes it easy to read but at the same time keeps the audience pulled in with color imagery.

Second place Staff The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) Comments: Simplistic but very effective, separating content and stories in a way that has the readers in mind. Wonderful images that only benefit each story.

Page 66 Best Editorial Cartoonist

Best Editorial Cartoonist/nondaily First place Irene Olds Brown County Democrat (Nashville) ISTEP// Presidential election// INDOT wisdom Comments: Detailed the issues facing the state.

Best Editorial Cartoonist/daily First place Gene Herndon Kokomo Tribune Gene Herndon Comments: Artwork very well planned out and executed. Clever hook.

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Page 67 The HSPA Foundation appreciates your support of these programs in 2016

The educational opportunities, recognition of excellence in journalism and outside grants to advance awareness of the First Amendment all depend on available funding for the year. Although much of our revenue comes from interest on the Foundation’s investment account, programs still depend heavily on member newspapers’ donations. We also encourage individuals to donate a personal gift or one remembering or honoring someone special. The Foundation appreciates your consideration and continued support.

Internships & scholarships ►Annual Meetings & Government Civic engagement & Conference ►Eugene S. Pulliam Internships (10) partnerships Journalism Job & Career Fair ► ►The Foundation partners with ►High School Print Journalism (partnering with Indiana Associated the Indiana University Center for Scholarships (2) Press Managing Editors, Franklin College, Ball State & IUPUI) International Media Law & Policy ►High School Journalism Advisers Studies on First Amendment Internships (2) ►Circulation Conference (partnering projects with Indiana Circulation Executive Rewarding excellence & Association) ►“We the People” judging, Indiana Bar sharing best ideas Foundation ►Advertising Conference (partnering Advertising Contest ► with Indiana Newspaper Advertising ►Arsenal Technical High School – Executives Association) ►Editorial Contest Urban Media Institute ►New NIE weekly activities on website Training & educational for teachers (partnering with Indiana Grants programs State Reading Association & Indiana Newspaper in Education Foundation ►Ernie Pyle World War II Museum ►Newsroom Seminar ►Public Access Awareness Sessions ►Four amicus briefs ►Road Show for Reporters for Communities & Newspapers (partnering with Indiana Associated ►Indiana Historical Bureau – Press Managing Editors) ►Visits to Journalism classes The Indianapolis Times marker

HSPA Foundation Mission Statement The Hoosier State Press Association Foundation believes free speech and a free press benefit all citizens and help preserve constitutional rights. Our society faces challenges to the concepts of open government and the marketplace of ideas necessary for democracy to flourish. The HSPA Foundation exists to foster public understanding of the role of a free press in society, to increase public literacy, to enhance the ability of Indiana newspapers to fully educate and inform the public, and to defend the principles of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.