By Angela Marshall
Among the awards the Heralds brought home were first-place honors in five categories: coverage of education, in-depth reporting, spot news, column writing and sports features. The Heralds' advertising and art departments also brought home firsts for best special-section advertising and best large-space ad, as well as third place for overall advertising excellence.
The Valley Stream Herald was recognized for its coverage of crime, police and courts. Editor John C. O'Connell and Associate Editor Nicole Falco earned second place in division three for their coverage of a hostage situation at the Staples on Sunrise Highway and a murder in North Valley Stream. The judges wrote: "... the Herald's coverage dug below the surface reporting to find the human element, complementing the writing with photos, mug shots and analysis."
Falco also earned third place in the spot-news-photo category for her picture of a grieving mother standing near the bloody clothes of her daughter, who had been shot in a domestic dispute. "Perspective sells this photo," the judges commented, "both the photographer's angle and position of mother and police tape."
One hundred eighty-four newspapers submitted a total of 3,621 entries to the annual Better Newspaper Contest, which was judged by members of the Illinois Press Association on Jan. 23. The many contest categories were divided into four divisions based on circulation.
"Super. Absolutely super," exclaimed the Heralds' elated publisher, Cliff Rich-ner, when asked for his reaction to the papers' numerous awards. "I think this is the best staff we've ever had, and the breadth and depth of the awards reflect that. To win spot news and in-depth reporting, coverage of education and coverage of crime, opinion writing, sports ... It really shows what a small staff can do with commitment and good old-fashioned hard work."
Village Herald was on the spot
The Village Herald swept the spot-news category in its division. Capturing first, second and third place, the paper was honored for its coverage of the shooting of Father Larry Penzes and parishioner Eileen Tosner at the March 12, 2002 morning Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook; the tragic electrocution of 10-year-old Kevin Brown on the Lynbrook train tracks; and the fire that swept through the Nathan Hale Senior Village in Lynbrook.
Leading the way
Two Herald newspapers were honored for their dedication to community leadership, taking home honorable-mention and third-place awards.
Nassau Herald Editor Jeff Lipton took third place for his investigation of school security in the Five Towns. And he won first place in coverage of education for the same story. Judges said the investigation "is a role model for newspapers of all sizes."
Lipton also took second place in division four for coverage of crime.
Scott Brinton, senior editor of the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds, received honorable mention for his coverage of the movement to clean up state woodlands in Merrick.
The write stuff
Herald columnists also took top honors. Jerry Burke, editor of the Franklin Square/Elmont/West Hempstead Herald, won first place and Cris Italia took second in division three for column writing. Alfred Doblin, anchor of the Herald's op-ed page, took third place in division four.
Ads take awards
The Herald advertising department won eight awards, including two first places for best large-space ad in the Nassau Herald and best special-section advertising for the Menu Guide, which appeared in all 13 Herald newspapers. The Menu Guide also earned third place for best special-section cover, designed by Mike Bologna, the papers' general manager. The department also came in third for overall advertising excellence.
Ads in the Rockville Centre Herald received honorable-mention awards in both the best special-section advertising and best small-space ad categories. The Merrick Herald won honorable mention in multi-advertiser pages.
The advertising department also took two blooper awards, much to their chagrin - and the delight of their colleagues in Saratoga. Presentation of the first-place ad for a fruit laxative that was so easy to use you "just poop in your mouth," really got the crowd going.
First place
Coverage of education Nassau Herald
Large-space ad Nassau Herald
In-depth reporting Merrick Herald
Spot news Village Herald
Serious column Franklin Square, Elmont,
West Hempstead Herald
Sports feature Merrick Herald
Special section advertising Merrick Herald
Blooper of the year Merrick Herald
Second place
Coverage of crime Nassau Herald
Coverage of crime Valley Stream Herald
Spot news Village Herald
Serious column Oceanside Herald
Serious column Merrick Herald
Third Place
Community leadership Nassau Herald
Advertising excellence Nassau Herald
Spot news Village Herald
Sports feature East Meadow Herald
Spot news photo Valley Stream Herald
Special section cover Merrick Herald
Honorable mention
Editorials Nassau Herald
Rookie reporter Village Herald
Community leadership Merrick Herald
Special section advertising Rockville Centre Herald
Small-space ad Rockville Centre Herald
Multi-advertiser pages Merrick Herald
Blooper Rockville Centre Herald
