O-R staff takes home four awards at Golden Quill ceremony
Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Exterior of the Observer-Reporter building in Washington.
Katie Roupe
Mike Jones
Brad Hundt
David Singer
Liz Rogers
Justin Channell
Linda Ritzer
Celeste Van Kirk
Scott Beveridge
Natalie Reid Miller
Katie Roupe won a Golden Quill Award for this photo of Josh Himes taking a hit from Lamont Capers during the 195-pound weight class fight at the Mayhem at the Meadows boxing event May 16. Capers won by unanimous decision.
PITTSBURGH – The editorial staff of the Observer-Reporter won four Golden Quill Awards, including the Ray Sprigle Memorial Award for the Under the Label series, at The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania’s 52nd annual awards presentation Thursday at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.
The competition recognizes professional excellence in written, photographic, broadcast and online journalism in Western Pennsylvania.
The Under the Label series won the best-of-show award and received a Golden Quill in the Feature Article or Series category. Staff writers Natalie Miller and David Singer told the stories of a recovering addict, a drug dealer, a transgender student and an athlete with a criminal past. Photographers Katie Roupe and Celeste Van Kirk provided photos and videos for the series.
Executive editor Liz Rogers won a Golden Quill Award in the Food category for “A Vine Tradition,” profiling fifth-generation farmers and winery owners Jamie and Duann Thistlethwaite, owners of Thistlethwaite Vineyards in Jefferson, Greene County.
Editorial page editor Brad Hunt received a Golden Quill in the Arts and Entertainment Article or Series category for his entries, “Bang on the Drum!” a feature about drum circles, his “Songs Sung in Every Household,” profiling composer and McDonald native Jay Livingston received a nomination.
The O-R staff was nominated for its coverage of the Oct. 14 Avella standoff that resulted in the suicide of murder suspect Denise Kern.
Staff writer Scott Beveridge reported on the story, tweeting from the standoff and sending video and photos along with photographer Celeste Van Kirk. Readers were engaged as Assistant Editor Linda Ritzer and Digital Editor Justin Channell posted updates to the newspaper’s website and social media platforms.
Assistant editor Linda Ritzer and Beveridge were finalists in the Spot/Breaking News category for their coverage of the Aug. 17 fire that destroyed the historic Century Inn in Scenery Hill.
Greene County Bureau Chief Mike Jones and Beveridge received a Golden Quill nomination in the Enterprise/Investigative Article or Series for their series, “How is Act 13 Money Being Spent?”
The three-part series exposed oversight problems involving $30 million in unaccounted-for distributions to Pennsylvania municipalities under the state’s Marcellus Shale tax on drillers.
Hundt also was nominated in the Editorials category for his entry of three editorials, including, “Former Judge Got Off Easy,” which questioned the punishment of former Washington County Judge Paul Pozonsky.
Staff photographer Katie Roupe was a finalist for her sports photo, “Reign Delayed,” capturing boxer Josh Himes taking a punch from Lamont Capers during a fight at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino last May.