THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

2007 BEST IN INDIANA JOURNALISM CONTEST

Sponsored by the Indiana Professional Chapter, SPJ

Print Winners - Reporting on Specialized Topics

Based on 2006 work

Winners were honored at the 28th Annual Awards Banquet
at the Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel on April 27, 2007

22. BEST BUSINESS REPORTING (single story)

First Place: Business Staff
The Indianapolis Star
"Here Comes Honda"
Judges said: "A great job of covering this story from all angles to show how an incoming company would affect a region, state and small town. Nice hustle!"

Second Place: Matthew Kish
Indianapolis Business Journal
"Bulls of the Fairways"

Third Place: Ted Evanoff
The Indianapolis Star
"A Losing Battle: Our Industrial Base"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Sean O'Donnell
Times-Mail
"Visteon Employees See Unsure Future"
Judges said: Nice in-depth coverage of how a company's lay-offs affect the future of its employees in a small town."

Second Place: Linda Lipp
Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly
"Innovative Idea Gains Traction"

Third Place: Laura Lane
The Herald-Times
"How Blue is Too Blue?"

23. BEST SPORTS REPORTING (single story)

First Place: Mike Hutton
The Post-Tribune
"Hire Power"
Judges said: "Reporting, writing, effecting change - this had it all!"

Second Place: Mark Montieth
The Indianapolis Star
"John Wooden"

Third Place: Steve Garches
The Post-Tribune
"Feeling Strong Once Again"

B. Daily newspaper circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Lynn Houser
The Herald-Times
"'71 Bucket Game a Slugfest"
Judges said: "Compelling storytelling draws on personal experience."

Second Place: Jim Gordillo
The Herald-Times
"Swimming is My Life"

Third Place: Blake Sebring
The News-Sentinel
"A Timely Diagnosis"

C. Non-daily newspaper or magazine

First Place: David Hoppe
NUVO Newsweekly
"Being Jim Irsay"
Judges said: "Nice color to open story, followed by insightful Q&A with Super Bowl owner."

26. BEST CRITIQUE/REVIEW - ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT/FOOD
(Each category consists of three examples of commentary, criticism or reviews of entertainment events, works of art or food subject matter.)

First Place: Karen Rivers
The South Bend Tribune
"Knight, Flashback, and Cats"
Judges said: "Great leads - punchy, pithy that suck in readers; great pacing."

Second Place: Steve Penhollow
The Journal Gazette
"Rants and Raves" No Third Place Winner

B. Daily newspaper circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Carol Tannehill
The News-Sentinel
"Quality Coffee, Magic Wand, and DeBrand"
Judges said: "Great leads, good vocabulary, and fundamentally solid writing style."

Second Place: Mike Leonard
The Herald-Times
"Who Are You?" "Trio Affinity" and "Homecoming"

Third Place: Peter Jacobi
The Herald-Times
"Penderecki Quartet," "Joshua Bell," "Quartet to Begin Residency at IU"

C. Non-daily newspapers, magazines, special-interest publications and periodicals

First Place: Ed Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly
"Hard Candy," "Flags of Our Fathers," and "Conversations with God"
Judges said: "Ott's non-pretentious, conversation style lends itself to trustworthy commentary."

Second Place: Christine Speer
Indianapolis Monthly Magazine
"Partly Sunny," "Cold Comfort," "Go, West"

Third Place: Terry Kirts
NUVO Newsweekly
"More Reasons to Point Car South," "Indy's Wittiest Cuisine" and" Milk is not Enough"

28. BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE
(Awarded to the best single personality profile.)

First Place: Joseph Dits
The South Bend Tribune
"A Ceaseless Ache for Mother Earth"
Judges said: "Dits successfully merges the story threats that should not go together. Conveys real power and heartbreak."

Second Place: Brian Williams
The Times of Northwest Indiana
"Nothing Plain about This Jane"

Third Place: Jerry Davich
The Post-Tribune
"Miracle Man"

B. Daily newspaper circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Mark Bennett
The Tribune-Star
"Screening for Success"
Judges said: "A well-written story which keeps the reader engaged by threading small stories into one profile. This was a great entry out of several in this category."

Second Place: Reggie Hayes
The News-Sentinel
"Fort Wayne's Fallen Star"

Third Place: Mike Leonard
The Herald-Times
"Breaking Out"

C. Non-daily newspaper

First Place: David Hoppe
NUVO Newsweekly
"Deciding Controversy"
Judges said: "Well crafted story. All quotes criticizing the judge give the reader a good perspective while reading the judge's comments."

Second Place: Lisa Shumard-Shelton
Indiana Agri-News
"Ethanol Supporter's Legacy Will Live Forever"

Third Place: Derrick Gingery
Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly
"Parkview's Packnett is Winning Supporters"

D. Magazines, special interest publications and periodicals

First Place: Daniel Comiskey
Indianapolis Monthly Magazine
"Travels with Charci"
Judges said: "This is a reporter truly dedicated to his craft. A well-written account of a cross-country trek with a truly fascinating subject. Great research, great sense of detail and storytelling."

Second Place: Tony Rehagen
Indianapolis Monthly Magazine
"Bible Belter"

Third Place: Elizabeth Flynn
Indianapolis Woman Magazine
"Moving at the Speed of Life"

29. BEST COVERAGE OF CHILDREN'S ISSUES
(Awarded to the story that best served the needs of children, either by exposing abuse or exploring solutions to challenges faced by youth.)

First Place: Shari Rudavsky and Dan McFeely
The Indianapolis Star
"Too Much, Too Soon"
Judges said: "A thorough and thoughtfully planned account of a growing problem for American youth. Personal stories of overweight children coupled with expert sources and those who are working to make change results in a package that most likely will have a strong impact on the community."

Second Place: Christine Cox
The South Bend Tribune
"Bankrolling Responsibility"

Third Place: Marcia Ellett
Indianapolis Woman Magazine
"Baby, Think It Over"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Anne Kibbler
The Herald-Times
"Lives on the (Lunch) Line"

Second Place: Michelle Holtkamp-Frye
The Daily Journal
"League: Coach Told Team to Rip Sign"

30. BEST COVERAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
(Awarded to the story that best served to improve the environment, either by pointing out a trouble spot or otherwise spotlight an ecological topic.)

First Place: Pat Guinane, Marc Chase, Carrie Rodovich and Bill Thornbro
The Times of Northwest Indiana
"Feddeler Landfill"
Judges said: "Coverage of the hazardous waste situation was thorough and thoughtful - taking both an analytical approach and a look at residents' concerns. Well done. Nice graphic as well."

Second Place: Laura McPhee
NUVO
"Factory Farms"

Third Place: Bruce Smith
The Indianapolis Star
"Rural Westfield? Not for Long"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Justin Schneider
The Herald Bulletin
"Cafos Come Under Fire"
Judges said: "Makes a technical subject understandable and easily readable. Well sourced and well balanced."

Second Place: Sarah Morin
The Herald-Times
"Pipe Dreams"

Third Place: Steve Hinnefeld
The Herald-Times
"Westinghouse, PCB's and Cancer"

31. BEST MEDICAL/SCIENCE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best coverage of a medical or science topic.)

First Place: David Rumbach
The South Bend Tribune
"Deep Brain Stimulation"
Judges said: "Just the print version of this feature would have won on depth and writing alone, but the video was amazing. Multi-media is critical these days, so kudos for that. It didn't hurt that this Parkinson's patient had to use his hands to do what he loved, so you found an excellent subject, too. Great work all around!"

Second Place: Tammy Webber
The Indianapolis Star
"Methodist Rolls Out Medical Safeguards"

Third Place: Mia Lee Bauman
NUVO Newsweekly
"When Sick Happens To You"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Jamie Lemke-Barrand
The Herald-Republican
"My Battle with Cancer"
Judges said: "Compelling series that could only be achieved by having the subject's truth the reporter. Well-written with useful general information about cancer."

Second Place: Lynelle Miller
The Herald-Bulletin
"Leaving the Disease Behind"

Third Place: Mike Leonard
The Herald-Times
"AED's on Campus Save Lives"

32. BEST CONSUMER REPORTING
(Awarded to the story that best informs readers or audience about a product flaw or danger, or otherwise befriends the consumer.)

First Place: Daniel Lee
The Indianapolis Star
"Sticker Shock: Same Care, Different Hospital Bills"
Judges said: "This entry is a shining example of the charge and mission of journalists - to uncover injustices."

No Second or Third Place Awarded

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Jennifer Boen
The News-Sentinel
"Abandoned"
Judges said: "This story addresses an issue and a demographic that has virtually no voice. Ms. Boen writes sensitively but with strong background and sourcing about this issue. She also provides readers with information on how to help and a consumer guide on selecting a nursing home."

Second Place: Angie's List Magazine
Angie's List Indianapolis
"Real Estate Rumble"

Third Place: Angie's List Magazine
Angie's List Indianapolis
"Child Care Choices"

33. BEST COVERAGE OF MINORITY ISSUES
(Awarded to the story that best addresses the issues and challenges faced by any minority group: racial, sexual, or religious.)

First Place: David Zivan
Indianapolis Monthly Magazine
"The New Hoosiers"
Judges said: "A well crafted piece. Compelling storytelling and moving photographs. This is an outstanding effort, best illustrating a community coping with its changing face. Job well done."

Second Place: Star Staff
The Indianapolis Star
"Speaking of Equality: Black/White"

Third Place: Keith Benman
The Times of Northwest Indiana
"Racial Divide/ 9-5 Day"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Dann Denny
The Herald-Times
"Local Muslims Still Living in Fear"
Judges said: "Stories cover a community that receives little attention from the media. Story is well-balanced. Good research with local and national sources and statistics."

Second Place: Sarah Morin
The Herald-Times
"An Issue of Identity"

Third Place: Juliana Casillas
The News-Sun
"Dreams of Being Legal"

34. BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best reporting on crime or a law enforcement issue.)

First Place: Alicia Gallegos
The South Bend Tribune
"Out of Sight: Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System"
Judges said: "Gallegos did an extraordinary job of documenting the life and death of Nicholas Rice. Her reporting, presented in compelling narrative fashion, exposed serious deficiencies in Indiana's mental health care system."

Second Place: Danielle Braff
The Post-Tribune
"Murder Mystery Still Unfolding"

No Third Place

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Alexis Charbonnier
The News-Sentinel
"Rios Family Didn't Know of Deaths"
Judges said: "Superb job of taking the most complex of human relations, the family, and sorting it out to tell the story surrounding a horrific tragedy. The efforts made to contact and include so many relatives gave readers many more viewpoints to consider."

Second Place: Bethany Nolan
The Herald-Times
"Overdose Epidemic"

Third Place: Mike Hoskins
Indiana Lawyer
"Gauging Fault in Felonies"

35. BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best reporting on a social justice issue: poverty, welfare, etc.)

First Place: Laura McPhee
NUVO Newsweekly
"Blowing Off the Whistleblowers"
Judges said: "In a category filled with award deserving entries, this piece stood out. The story is not only well researched but it gives the read human interest to latch on to."

Second Place: Tom Wyatt
The Post-Tribune
"No Home, No Books"

Third Place: Jamie Loo
The South Bend Tribune
"Civil Rights or Special Rights?"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Cindy Bevington
The News-Sun
"The Waiting Game"
Judges said: "Allegiance in reporting is the best way to describe this entry. The reporter not only anticipated every question with this issue but went in every direction to find answers."

Second Place: Jennifer Boen
The News-Sentinel
"State Developmental Center"

Third Place: Rebecca Berfanger
Indiana Lawyer
"Asylum Cases Up"

36. BEST EDUCATION COVERAGE
(Awarded to the best story about education.)

First Place: Staci Hupp
The Indianapolis Star
"3,000 Fail Exit Exam, Graduate Anyway"
Judges said: "An important story that raises a valid question. Reporter's research is solid and article is notable for touching all sides of the debate."

Second Place: David Hoppe
NUVO Newsweekly
"Teaching the Whole Child"

Third Place: Staci Hupp
The Indianapolis Star
"The Power of the Pencil"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Anne Kibbler
The Herald-Times
"Special Standards"

Second Place: Carly Nation
The Times-Mail
"Dropping Out"

Third Place: Julie Slaymaker
Indiana State University Magazine
"Going Greek"

37. BEST COVERAGE OF GOVERNMENT
(Awarded to the best story, or selection of stories, on city, county or state government.)

First Place: Brendan O'Shaughnessy
The Indianapolis Star
"Marion County Sheriff Gets $50,000 Boost, Sheriff to Give Up $50,000"
Judges said: "O'Shaughnessy's piece exposes a system of compensation that paid a county sheriff almost as much as a U. S. president. Once exposed, the sheriff relinquished his bonus."

Second Place: Pablo Ros
South Bend Tribune
"Facing La Migra: Elkhart County's New Tougher Enforcement"

Third Place: Ken Kusmer
The Associated Press
"Family and Social Services Administration Overhaul"

B. Any publication of circulation less than 40,000

First Place: Michelle Holtkamp Frye and Paige Wassel
The Daily Journal
"Spending Spree"
Judges said: "Excellent piece. Well investigated. A great example of how a little thing like a cell phone in the hands of a town trustee can lead to a big scandal."

Second Place: Kathleen Quilligan, Ese Isiorho; Ryan Lengerich; Jennifer Boeh; Kevin Leininger
The News-Sentinel
"Election 2006"

Third Place: Sarah Morin
The Herald-Times
"Chickens in the City"