Marion Star captures 9 awards in state contest

COLUMBUS – The Marion Star won nine awards at the Associated Press Media Editors annual awards ceremony held Sunday afternoon in Columbus.

The newspaper, which competes in Division I, took third place in General Excellence.

Watchdog reporter John Jarvis brought home three first-place awards — Best Investigative Reporting for “Morrow County EMS,” Best Business Writer and Best Feature Writer.

Judges said of the EMS stories: “Those involved with emergency medical services in Morrow County are surely looking over their shoulders after this display of watchdog reporting. Nice work!”

Judges comments on his work for business writing: “Jarvis makes otherwise boring material worth reading with a style that draws you in. The Ohio 309 story is a great example of writing and reporting.”

For Jarvis’ entries in feature writing, judged said, “Taking on topics that have been written about countless times before and making them compelling reading is the mark of a craftsman. Well done.”

Former photographer Bill Sinden also took a first place in the Photo Essay category for his images of “Farewell To A Sheriff.” Judges said of his photography: “Narrowly edged out second place due to stronger visual variety in terms of composition and lensing.”

Former reporter Nick Bechtel received two second-place finishes, Best Feature Writer and Best Investigative Reporting for “Police Review Use of Force.”

Reporter/photographer James Miller took second place in Best Feature Photo for “Veteran Raise Old Glory. Sports writer Denny McPherson placed third in Best Sports Enterprise for a story “A Lot Goes Into Hosting A Playoff Game.”

Sixty-two daily newspapers submitted 2,395 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2014.