Blade staffers win honors at Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards

6/22/2010

The Blade's Tom Henry took home first prize for a best general news story at the Press Club of Cleveland's 2010 awards ceremony.

Mr. Henry won for his piece titled "Questions About Clyde Cancer Cluster."

Judges called the article a "compelling story" and praised it for "[chronicling] necessary details beyond the human element."

The Blade's Bridget Tharp and Ignazio Messina also took top honors in the category of best breaking news for their article "Freshman Killed at Train Crossing."

The reporters "went beyond the particulars of the wreck and its ramifications and explored the bigger picture regarding the train tracks," judges wrote.

Blade photographer Dave Zapotosky tied for second place in the award for best photographer in Ohio.

Other first-place awards for The Blade were:

• Dave Zapotosky, spot news photo, "Hostage Escapes."

•Amy Voigt, general news photo, "A Mother's Comfort."

•Breaking news, single-day package, "Embryo Mixup."

•Kirk Walters, single cartoon, "Ground Zero."

•Jeff Basting, single illustration, "A genius on 88 keys."

•Tom Fisher, single page design, "Lose yourself in Autumn Corn Mazes."

Other second-place awards for The Blade were:

•JC Reindl, public service, "Too many dogs euthanized."

•Kirk Walters, cartooning.

•Tom Fisher, single illustration, "Are you ready?"

•Jeff Basting, single page design, "Finders keepers."

•News front page design.

The 2010 award ceremony held on Friday night marked the 32nd year in which the Press Club of Cleveland has honored the best journalists in Ohio.