2021 Ohio APME newspaper finalists in random order
Finalists in Division IV: Best Headline Writer: Brenna Griteman, The (Findlay) Courier; Evan Hayes, The (Findlay) Courier; Patrick Litowitz, Warren Tribune Chronicle. Best Business Writer: Paige Bennett, The Canton Repository; Ron Selak Jr., Warren Tribune Chronicle; Edd Pritchard, The Canton Repository. Best Columnist: Charita Goshay, The Canton Repository; Rini Jeffers, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; David Trinko, The Lima News. Best Editorial Writer: Brad Dicken, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; Jim Krumel, The Lima News; Brenda J. Linert, Warren Tribune Chronicle. Best Feature Writer: Burton Cole, Warren Tribune Chronicle; Allie Vugrincic, Warren Tribune Chronicle; Carissa Woytach, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram. Best Graphics Artist: Patrick E. Litowitz, Warren Tribune Chronicle; David Trinko, The Lima News; No Winner. Best Sports Columnist: Jim Ingraham, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; Bob Seggerson, The Lima News; Jack Wollitz, Warren Tribune Chronicle. Best Sports Feature Writer: Zach Baker, The (Findlay) Courier; Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier; Joel Whetzel, Warren Tribune Chronicle. Best Sports Writer: Zach Baker, The (Findlay) Courier; Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier; Scott Petrak, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram. Best Photographer: Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; Scott Heckel, The Canton Repository; Amanda Wilson, The Lima News. Best News Writer: Jason Hawk, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; Mackenzi Klemann, The Lima News; J Swygart, The Lima News. Best Sports Enterprise: Shaun Bennett, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Winning Program"; Dave Hanneman, The (Findlay) Courier, "One School, so Many Leagues"; Scott Petrak, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "You Otto Think Again." Best Special Sports Section: The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "High School Football"; The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Keystone Softball"; The Lima News, "High School Football Preview." Best Daily Sports Section: The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; The Lima News; Warren Tribune Chronicle. Best Illustration or Informational Graphic: Patrick E. Litowitz, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "$117 Million Bites of the Apple"; David Trinko, The Lima News, "College Football Playoff National Championship"; David Trinko and Josh Ellerbrock, The Lima News, "The Words They Tweet." Best News Photo: Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Isaiah Robinson Remembered"; Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "LifeFlight Called to Rodeo"; Scott Heckel, The Canton Repository, "Remembering Afghanistan." Best Feature Photo: Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Making a Splash"; Scott Heckel, The Canton Repository, "Happy Rider"; R. Michael Semple, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Clean Shaven." Best Sports Photo: Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Comets' Offense Breaks Through"; Scott Heckel, The Canton Repository, "Joyous Finish"; Michael Taylor, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "JFK Celebrates." Best Photo Story: Kristin Bauer and Angelo Angel, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "A Look Back at 1 Year Of Covid-19"; Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Trump Visits Wellington"; Bruce Bishop and Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "The Search and Recovery of Alaina Camacho and Nathan Orona." Best Video: Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "The Blitz!"; Bruce Bishop and Jason Hawk, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Dr. Harry Kestler Talks About COVID-19." Best Public Service: Tim Botos, The Canton Repository, "Following the Votes." Best Spot News Coverage: Ed Runyan, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Put Down the Guns"; The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Uncle Vic's Fire"; Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Mother, Son Die in Blaze." Best Explanatory Reporting: Tim Botos, The Canton Repository, "Anatomy of a Fatal Crash: What Happens to the Human Body, Mind"; Jim Krumel, The Lima News, "Putting the Brakes on Speeding"; Tom Wills, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Choking's No Game." Best Enterprise Reporting: Tim Botos, The Canton Repository, "Enduring Legacies Series"; Dave O'Brien, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "WWII flier Lt. Steve Nagy Returns Home; to be Buried in Lorain on Friday"; The Lima News, "9/11: 20 years later." Best Investigative Reporting: Tim Botos, The Canton Repository, "Rylee Abbuhl"; Jim Krumel, The Lima News, "2020: A Year of Overtime"; Dave O'Brien, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "Lorain County Government." Best Full Page Design: Kevin Riege, The Lima News, "Lima Buries a Hero"; Jason Smith, The (Findlay) Courier, "A Fond Farewell to Lincoln"; Amy Leigh Wilson, Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Death Penalty: Justice or Brutality?" Best Digital Project: Marissa McNees and Kristin Bauer, The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, "The Blitz!"; David Trinko, The Lima News, "Trinko Thinks So Podcast"; David Trinko and Mackenzi Klemann, The Lima News, "U.S. Census Page." Best Digital Presence: The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram; The Canton Repository; The Lima News.
Finalists in Division III: Best Headline Writer: Veronica Van Dress Van Dress and Jeanine Kendle, The (Wooster) Daily Record; Andy Ouriel, Sandusky Register; Sandusky Register. Best Business Writer: Robert Gaetjens, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier; Andy Ouriel, Sandusky Register; Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal. Best Columnist: Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal; Patrick Pfanner, Sandusky Register; Matt Westerhold, Sandusky Register. Best Editorial Writer: Matt Westerhold, Sandusky Register; No Winner; No Winner. Best Feature Writer: Jon Baker, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter; Nancy Molnar, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter; Andy Ouriel, Sandusky Register. Best Graphics Artist: Matt Westerhold, Sandusky Register. Best Sports Columnist: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal. Best Sports Feature Writer: Billy Heyen, Sandusky Register; Brian Kollars, Sandusky Register; Jonah Rosenblum, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier. Best Sports Writer: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal; Brian Kollars, Sandusky Register; Jonah Rosenblum, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier. Best Photographer: Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register; Jason Molyet, Mansfield News Journal; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier. Best News Writer: Nancy Molnar, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter; Jeff Saunders, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier; Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal. Best Sports Enterprise: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal, "MNJ Scholar Athlete Honorees"; Billy Heyen, Sandusky Register, "A Pandemic in the World of Officiating"; Jonah Rosenblum, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Boldin's Battle." Best Special Sports Section: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal, "MNJ Scholar Athlete Awards"; Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal, "The Stars Align - MNJ All Star Classic Preview"; Brian Kollars and Billy Heyen, Sandusky Register, "Sandusky Register 2021 Football Preview." Best Daily Sports Section: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal; Brian Kollars, Sandusky Register; Robert Todor, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier. Best News Photo: Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register, "Through the Smoke"; Andrew Dolph, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter, "Cheese Truck Crash"; Jason Molyet, Mansfield News Journal, "Face of Homelessness." Best Feature Photo: Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register, "Be Free"; Jason Molyet, Mansfield News Journal, "Hatched Sparrow"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Teamwork." Best Sports Photo: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal, "A Champion's Joy"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Score"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Sneaking Home." Best Photo Story: Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register, "A Fondness for 4-H"; Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register, "Defeat"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Lost Daughter." Best Video: Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register, "A Hero Comes Home"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Dive Team Training"; Lisa Scalfaro, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Haymaker Farmers Market." Best Public Service: Tom Jackson, Sandusky Register, "Breaking Down COVID"; Rachel Karas, The (Wooster) Daily Record, "COVID School Safety"; Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal, "Poison Hemlock 'Spreading Like Wildfire' Across Ohio." Best Spot News Coverage: Colleen Carroll, Sandusky Register; Monroe Trombly and Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal, "38-year-old Man Shot and Killed by Police after Three-hour Standoff"; Sandusky Register, "Roller Coaster Part Falls, Strikes Guest." Best Explanatory Reporting: Nancy Molnar, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter, "Zoar Fire Department Dispute"; Andy Ouriel, Sandusky Register, "Sandusky, Cedar Point reach $100M deal"; Monroe Trombly, Mansfield News Journal, "Police Discipline: Records Show Mansfield Officer Suspensions Often Reduced." Best Enterprise Reporting: Colleen Carroll, Sandusky Register, "27-year-old Cold Case Murder Revived"; Diane Smith, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier, "Let Me be Your Cautionary Tale"; Monroe Trombly, Mansfield News Journal, "Fine, I'll do it Myself:' Vet Who Removed 'Unserviceable' Flags Charged with Petty Theft." Best Investigative Reporting: Nancy Molnar, The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter, "Dogs 4 Warriors Loses Nonprofit Status"; Matt Westerhold, Sandusky Register, "Woman Acquitted in Fake Rape Case"; Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal, "He's Turning Blue.' Family Demands Answers in Richland Jail Death after Video Surfaces." Best Full Page Design: Josh Bahnsen, Sandusky Register; Kevin Greer, Sandusky Register, "Heartbroken: Local Serviceman Killed in Suicide Bombing." Best Digital Presence: Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier; The (Wooster) Daily Record. Finalists in Division II: Best Headline Writer: Albert Grindle, The Medina Gazette; Bob Jacob, Cleveland Jewish News; The (Celina) Daily Standard. Best Business Writer: Leslie Gartrell, The (Celina) Daily Standard; Linda Harris, Steubenville Herald-Star; Jane Kaufman, Cleveland Jewish News. Best Columnist: Ross Gallabrese, Steubenville Herald-Star; John Halley, The Athens Messenger; Abbey Roy, The (Newark) Advocate. Best Editorial Writer: Ross Gallabrese, Steubenville Herald-Star; Benjamin Lanka, The (Newark) Advocate; Ed Puskas, The (Ashtabula) Star Beacon. Best Feature Writer: Chris Crook, Zanesville Times Recorder; Leslie Gartrell, The (Celina) Daily Standard; Abbey Roy, The (Newark) Advocate. Best Graphics Artist: Jessica Simon, Cleveland Jewish News; Bill Thornbro, The (Celina) Daily Standard; Stephen Valentine, Cleveland Jewish News. Best Sports Columnist: Andy Baskin, Cleveland Jewish News; Sam Blackburn, Zanesville Times Recorder; Rick Noland, The Medina Gazette. Best Sports Feature Writer: Albert Grindle, The Medina Gazette; Rick Noland, The Medina Gazette; Kevin Wiseman, The Athens Messenger. Best Sports Writer: Sam Blackburn, Zanesville Times Recorder; Ron Firth, Lisbon Morning Journal; Rick Noland, The Medina Gazette. Best Photographer: Chris Crook, Zanesville Times Recorder; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette; Ty Wright, The (Newark) Advocate. Best News Writer: Andrew Grimm, Steubenville Herald-Star; Linda Harris, Steubenville Herald-Star; Kent Mallett, The (Newark) Advocate. Best Sports Enterprise: Sam Blackburn, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Wrestling Teams Adapt to COVID-19"; Michael Burich, Lisbon Morning Journal, "Crestview State Soccer Run"; Gary Rasberry, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Tokyo Paralympics." Best Special Sports Section: Bryant Billing, The Sidney Daily News, "2021 Fall Sports Preview"; Albert Grindle, The Medina Gazette, "Best Sports Special Section -- The Medina County Gazette"; Kurt Snyder and Dave Weidig, The (Newark) Advocate, "Advocate Football Weekly." Best Daily Sports Section: Bryant Billing, The Sidney Daily News; Albert Grindle and Rick Noland, The Medina Gazette; Steubenville Herald-Star. Best Illustration or Informational Graphic: Michaell D. McElwain, Steubenville Herald-Star, "A Bridge Timeline"; Bill Thornbro, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Home Fires"; Bill Thornbro, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Pumpkin Pie." Best News Photo: Luke Gronneberg, The Sidney Daily News, "Suspect Surrenders"; Dan Melograna, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Plane Crash"; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Masks Mandated on School Buses." Best Feature Photo: Warren Dillaway, The (Ashtabula) Star Beacon, "Shooting from a Horse"; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Fair Ride Reaction"; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Soaring Eagle." Best Sports Photo: Andrew Grimm, Steubenville Herald-Star, "Big Hit"; Dan Melograna, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Volleyball Celebration"; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Edged Out at the Finish Line." Best Photo Story: Chris Crook, Zanesville Times Recorder, "John Glenn Statue Headed to Statehouse"; Ty Wright, The (Newark) Advocate, "Newark Catholic Can't Ground Flyers' Air Attack in State Title Game"; Ty Wright, The (Newark) Advocate, "Present-Day Buckeye Lake." Best Video: Bryant Billing and Luke Gronneberg, The Sidney Daily News, "Weather Art and Photographing Basketball"; Tom E. Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Bike Safety - How to Properly Lock Your Bicycle"; Alyssa Schmitt, Cleveland Jewish News. Best Public Service: Erin Couch, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Licking View Sewer Issues"; Chris Crook, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Rare Look Inside COVID-19 Care"; The (Newark) Advocate, "Port Authority 25 Year Commemorative Issue." Best Spot News Coverage: Sydney Albert and William Kincaid, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Tornado Near Fort"; Leslie Gartrell, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Three Brothers Die"; Christine Jenkinson, Ashland Times-Gazette, "Murder After Bar Pick-up." Best Explanatory Reporting: Erin Couch, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Fultonham Rebuilds Village Government"; Erin Couch, Zanesville Times Recorder, "Property Taxes Overvalued in Minority Zanesville Areas"; Michaela Sumner, The (Newark) Advocate, "Drug Overdose Record." Best Enterprise Reporting: Cole Behrens and Ben Peters, The Athens Messenger, "Missing Athens County Teen Escapes Reported Sex Abuse, 'Cult'-like Family"; Warren Scott, Steubenville Herald-Star, "New Ohio River Bridge"; The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Infrastructure." Best Investigative Reporting: Jonathan Delozier, The Medina Gazette, "Residents Living with Disabilities Still Await Housing Decision"; Leslie Gartrell, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Banned Book"; Leslie Gartrell, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Food Banks." Best Full Page Design: Bill Thornbro, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Plane Crash"; Bill Thornbro, The (Celina) Daily Standard, "Survive a Tornado"; The (Newark) Advocate, "Port Authority Overview." Best Digital Project: Cheryl Sadler, Cleveland Jewish News; Alyssa Schmitt, Cleveland Jewish News. Best Digital Presence: Cleveland Jewish News; The Medina Gazette; Zanesville Times Recorder.
Finalists in Division I: Best Headline Writer: Joshua Keeran, The Delaware Gazette; Madeline Scarborough, The Marietta Times; Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune. Best Business Writer: Tori Barnhart, Chillicothe Gazette; Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette; Gere Goble, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum. Best Columnist: Raul Ascunce, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune; Jim Crawford, The Ironton Tribune; Brian Koeller, Napoleon Northwest Signal. Best Editorial Writer: Heath Harrison, The Ironton Tribune; Benjamin Lanka, The Marion Star; Christina Myer, The Marietta Times. Best Feature Writer: Tori Barnhart, Chillicothe Gazette; Scott Halasz, Xenia Daily Gazette; Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville Journal-Tribune. Best Graphics Artist: Kandi Thompson, The Ironton Tribune; No Winner; No Winner. Best Sports Columnist: Rob McCurdy, The Marion Star; Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune; Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Best Sports Feature Writer: Michael Burwell, The Bryan Times; Scott Cottos, The (Fostoria) Review Times; Scott Halasz, Xenia Daily Gazette. Best Sports Writer: Matthew Horn, The (Fremont) News-Messenger; Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune; Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Best Photographer: Gere Goble, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum; J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune; Art Smith, The Marietta Times. Best News Writer: Leonard Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune; Mitch Hooper, The Marion Star; Jon Stinchcomb, Port Clinton News-Herald. Best Sports Enterprise: Chris Easterling, The (Massillon) Independent, "Competitive Balance in Ohio Series"; Rob McCurdy, The Marion Star, "Spring Sports and COVID"; Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Fremont Pro Wrestler Readies for Final Match." Best Special Sports Section: Zachary Holden, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, "Telegraph-Forum Football Players of the Year & All-T-F Teams"; Jim Walker, The Ironton Tribune, "Pigskin Preview 2021"; The Bryan Times, "2021 STATE CHAMPIONS Fairview Softball." Best Daily Sports Section: Zachary Holden, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum; The Bryan Times; The Salem News. Best Illustration or Informational Graphic: No Winner. Best News Photo: Joshua Keeran, The Delaware Gazette, "Method to the Madness"; Jason Molyet, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, "Aumiller Park Flooding"; J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "We Have Rights." Best Feature Photo: Doug Hise, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Doug Hise: "Eagle and Gull Fight in Mid-Air""; Robert McGraw, Chillicothe Gazette, "Fallen Memories"; J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Strike Up the Band." Best Sports Photo: J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "High-Five from the Field"; Mike Ullery, Miami Valley Today, "Tippecanoe Girls 3,200 Relay Runs to D-I District Title"; Chad Williamson, Marysville Journal-Tribune, "Fumbler's Remorse." Best Photo Story: Amy Phelps, The Marietta Times, "A Day at the Fair "; Ty Wright, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, "Bloom-Carroll Loses State Championship Baseball in Akron"; Ty Wright, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, "Millersport Football Returns After Four Year Hiatus." Best Video: Daniel Carson, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Terra State Music Program Not Missing a Beat"; J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "A Lesson in Finishing Last"; J.D. Pooley, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Pretty, Cute, Shaggy: BG Pet Contest in 60th Year." Best Public Service: Daniel Carson, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Fremont, Sandusky County Deal With Rising Homeless Population"; Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville Journal-Tribune, "Residents and Developers Spar in Jerome Township"; Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "NAACP Encourages Vaccinations in Black Community." Best Spot News Coverage: Daniel Carson and Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Ohio Turnpike Plaza Murder"; Craig Shoup, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Genoa Man Charged With Murder of Missing Wife"; Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Woman Critically Injured at Cedar Point." Best Explanatory Reporting: Jon Stinchcomb, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Perils of Plastic: Microplastics Popping up Everywhere as Tap Runs"; Marie Thomas-Baird, The (Bowling Green) Sentinel-Tribune, "Pipe Dreams: School Money from Pipelines Never Materialized"; Lynn Thompson, The Bryan Times, "County Overdose Deaths Rise in 2021." Best Enterprise Reporting: Mitch Hooper, The Marion Star, "Judge Warner Trial, Conviction, Appeal"; Mitch Hooper, The Marion Star, "Marion Auditor Problems"; Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Women in Police." Best Investigative Reporting: Mitch Hooper, The Marion Star, "Marion Township Fire Problems"; Craig Shoup, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Put-in-Bay Police Chief Under Investigation"; Jon Stinchcomb, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Sheriff Accused of Mishandling 2008 Report of Rape Involving Former Officers." Best Full Page Design: Madeline Scarborough, The Marietta Times; Kandi Thompson, The Ironton Tribune; The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Bronze Mettle." Best Digital Project: Daniel Carson, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Gibsonburg Medical Marijuana Site Growing to New Heights"; Daniel Carson, The (Fremont) News-Messenger, "Terra State Music Program Not Missing a Beat"; Jon Stinchcomb, Port Clinton News-Herald, "Neil Armstrong Honored for Character with Renaming of NASA's Plum Brook Station." Best Digital Presence: Chillicothe Gazette; Coshocton Tribune; The Delaware Gazette.