The Herald-Mail named Newspaper of the Year by press association

April 19, 2008

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. - The Herald-Mail won 25 awards Friday in the 2007 Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association editorial contest.

The newspaper received 14 first-place awards and 11 second-place awards.

Based on the total number of points assigned to those awards, The Herald-Mail was named Newspaper of the Year among daily papers in the 30,000 to 75,000 circulation division.

One first-place winner - a column by Executive Editor Terry Headlee - also was chosen Best in Show, the top overall prize in the "Local column: critical thinking" category, out of newspapers in all six circulation divisions. The column was a commentary on the cost of a City of Hagerstown holiday party for employees.

"It's gratifying to be recognized by your peers for excellence ..." Publisher John League said. "We have a great newsroom."

The Herald-Mail submitted stories, photographs and other work published in 2007.

This year's competition was judged by professional journalists through the West Virginia Press Association.

The awards were given out Friday at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City.

First-place winners from The Herald-Mail were:

· Local column: critical thinking - Terry Headlee, "Just once I'd like to hear them say they're sorry, will pay it back and won't do it again."

· Local column: feature or humor - Tim Rowland, "Cattlegate is getting out of control"

· Public service - Erin Julius, Karen Hanna and Ric Dugan, "Doing Time," an examination of Washington County's state prisons

· General news photo - Kevin G. Gilbert, "Last Lady Vet"

· Feature photo - Joe Crocetta, "Apple of his Eyes"

· Sports photo - Ric Dugan, "Soccer Action"

· Religion - Julie E. Greene, "Committed to Faith"

· Education - Erin Cunningham and Kevin G. Gilbert, "First Day of School"

· Environment - Jennifer A. Fitch, "Chemical in Quincy Township Wells Called Health Risk"

· Growth and development - Pepper Ballard, "The Changing Landscape"

· Special section - Staff, "Hometown Guide"

· Headline - Mark England, "Choplifter Gets 90 Days"

· Sports page design - Dan Kauffman, "Spread Your Wings and Fly"

· Art or illustration - Chad Trovinger and Julie E. Greene, "Black Friday Rush," an original game

Second-place winners were:

· Editorial - Bob Maginnis, "To Fix Maryland Healthcare, Start with Uninsured Children"

· Spot news - Staff, "M&T Bank Robbed"

· Continuing coverage - Staff, "Smithsburg Officer Dies in Shooting"

· Feature story - Erin Julius and Ric Dugan, "Reporter Haunts Pry House"

· Local government - Andrew Schotz, "Coalition Lobbyist"

· State government - Andrew Schotz, "Vehicle Vulgarity"

· Sports photo - Kevin G. Gilbert, "Wildcats Win Wild One"

· Sports feature story - Andrew Mason, "She's a Good Wrestler, Period"

· Sports column - Bob Parasiliti, "Wiebel Weaved 'A Complex Web of Simplicity'"

· Feature page design - Chris Copley and Chad Trovinger, "Pulse"

· Art or illustration - Chad Trovinger, "George Carlin Returns"

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