LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Newspapers in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Grand Haven were named the best in the state Sunday in the annual Michigan Associated Press Media Editors newspaper competition.
General Excellence awards for 2013 went to the Detroit Free Press, the Kalamazoo Gazette and the Grand Haven Tribune.
Thirty daily newspapers submitted 1,133 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2013.
Entries were judged by editors from the Sarasota (Florida) Herald-Tribune, Division III; the Ada (Oklahoma) Evening Sun and the Edmond (Oklahoma) Sun, Division II; the Greenville (Ohio) Daily Advocate and Alabama Media Group, Division I.
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,500 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States. Members of AP include 48 daily newspapers in Michigan.
Winner in the 2013 Michigan APME newspaper contest:
DIVISION III, Newspapers with a daily circulation of more than 50,000
General Excellence: 1, Detroit Free Press; 2, The Grand Rapids Press; 3, The Detroit News.
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, “Busted-Up Roads”; 2, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press, “Crying Wolf”; 3, Ann Zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, “Meningitis Outbreak.”
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Christine MacDonald, The Detroit News, “Detroit Property Tax Series”; 2, Chastity Pratt, Detroit Free Press, “Detroiters Still Paying”; 3, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press, “Michigan School Safety.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single News Event: 1, The Detroit News, “Detroit Corruption Trial”; 2, The Grand Rapids Press, “Grand River Flooding”; 3, The Detroit News, “Detroit Bankruptcy.”
Best Breaking News: 1, Detroit Free Press, “Kilpatrick Verdict”; 2, Detroit Free Press, “Prisoner Escape”; 3, The Grand Rapids Press, “Amber Rose Smith Search.”
Best News Column: 1, Nolan Finley, The Detroit News, “Comfort Zone”; 2, Daniel Howes, The Detroit News, “GM’s Remake”; 3, Laura Berman, The Detroit News, “EM Law.”
Best Public Service: 1, Detroit Free Press, “How Detroit Went Broke”; 2, Mark Stryker and Brian Todd, Detroit Free Press, “DIA in Peril”; 3, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press, “Michigan Safer.”
Best Feature Story: 1, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press, “Where Cullen Finnerty Died”; 2, Cassandra Spratling, Detroit Free Press, “Good to be Alive”; 3, Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press, “Life Turned Around.”
Best Website: 1, The Detroit News; 2, Detroit Free Press; 3, The Grand Rapids Press.
Best Video: 1, Romain Blanquart, Detroit Free Press, “Detroit Fire Department”; 2, Brian Kaufman and Sylvia Rector, Detroit Free Press, “Eat and Drink Through Traverse City”; 3, Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press, “One Police Town.”
Best Photo Story: 1, Diane Weiss, Detroit Free Press, “BMX Reclaim City Park”; 2, The Grand Rapids Press, “Historic Flooding”; 3, Chris Clark, The Grand Rapids Press, “Aircraft Carrier Christened.”
Best Sports Photo: 1, Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press, “So Close”; 2, Mike Mulholland, The Grand Rapids Press, “Pure Excitement”; 3, Vaughn Gurganian, The (Pontiac) Oakland Press, “Stretched Out.”
Best Feature Photo: 1, Cory Morse, The Grand Rapids Press, “Shattered Hopes”; 2, Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press, “Gala Goofiness”; 3, Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press, “Rock the Vote.”
Best News Photo: 1, Chris Clark, The Grand Rapids Press, “Children Rescued”; 2, Chris Clark, The Grand Rapids Press, “Sinkhole Swallows Tree”; 3, Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press, “Graveside Vigil.”
Best Informational Graphics or Illustrations: 1, Eric Millikin, Detroit Free Press, “On the Prowl”; 2, Eric Millikin, Detroit Free Press, “Candy Monster Portraits”; 3, Milt Klingensmith, The Grand Rapids Press, “Detroit’s Turkey Day Parade.”
Best Sports: 1, Detroit Free Press, “Tigers Hire Rookie”; 2, Detroit Free Press, “MSU Smacks Down U-M”; 3, The Grand Rapids Press, “Leyland Retirement.”
Best Sports Column: 1, Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press, “Father to His Father”; 2, Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, “Any Place, Any Time”; 3, Mike Griffith, The Grand Rapids Press, “Michigan State Rose Bowl Season.”
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Mick McCabe and Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press, “Head Games, Constant Head Games”; 2, Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, “The Lion King”; 3, Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, “Getting Better With Age.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single Sports Event: 1, Detroit Free Press, “Coming Up Roses!”; 2, Cory Olsen, The Grand Rapids Press, “Extreme Swimmer”; 3, Detroit Free Press, “Tigers Fall.”
Best Writer: 1, Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press; 2, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press; 3, Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press.
Best Editorial: 1, Detroit Free Press, “Detroit Retirees”; 2, Detroit Free Press, “High Cost for Exclusion”; 3, John Barnes, The Grand Rapids Press, “Safer Days In Michigan Schools.”
Best Multimedia Journalist: 1, Diane Weiss, Detroit Free Press; 2, Brian Kaufman, Detroit Free Press; 3, Chris Clark, The Grand Rapids Press.
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DIVISION II, Newspapers with daily circulation of 15,001 to 50,000
General Excellence: 1, Kalamazoo Gazette; 2, The Flint Journal; 3, Lansing State Journal.
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Louise Knott Ahern, Lansing State Journal, “Silence of the Wolves”; 2, Julie Mack, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Kalamazoo Promise”; 3, Blake Thorne, The Flint Journal, “Life of a Gun.”
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Steven R. Reed, Lansing State Journal, “Tax Cracks”; 2, Julie Mack, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Portage School Superintendent”; 3, Aaron Mueller and Rosemary Parker, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Meth’s Grip.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single News Event: 1, Lansing State Journal, “Deep Freeze”; 2, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Interfaith Homes”; 3, The Flint Journal, “Tornados Carve Destruction.”
Best Breaking News: 1, Crystal Garcia, Port Huron Times Herald, “This is Our Store”; 2, The Saginaw News, “Pre-Prom Shooting”; 3, Michelle Anderson and Justine McGuire, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Park Drowning.”
Best News Column: 1, Julie Mack, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Portage Teachers”; 2, Rob Clark, The Bay City Times, “Furniture Repairman”; 3, Scott Atkinson, The Flint Journal, “Escaped Sheep.”
Best Public Service: 1, The Flint Journal, “#IWantYouToKnow”; 2, Rex Hall Jr., Kalamazoo Gazette, “Infant Mortality Series”; 3, Rex Hall Jr. and Julie Mack, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Juvenile Justice.”
Best Feature Story: 1, Hugh Bernreuter, The Saginaw News, “Pee Wee Reunion”; 2, Brad Devereaux, The Saginaw News, “Michigan Man Plans to Win Again”; 3, Heather Peters, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Recovery That ’Beat the Odds.’”
Best Website: 1, Lansing State Journal; 2, Port Huron Times Herald; 3, Rob Gorczyca, The Monroe Evening News.
Best Video: 1, Paul Henderson, Lansing State Journal, “Red Cedar Rowdies”; 2, Dave Wasinger, Lansing State Journal, “The Plight of the Wolves”; 3, Mark Bugnaski, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Cancer Survivor.”
Best Photo Story: 1, Mark Bugnaski, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Sentencing David Johnson”; 2, Mark Bugnaski, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Mustangs Win Playoff”; 3, Mark Bugnaski, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Sgt. Schoonhoven.”
Best Sports Photo: 1, Jake May, The Flint Journal, “Blizzard Blitz”; 2, Steph Anderson Chambers, Kalamazoo Gazette, “K-Wings Beat Wheeling Nailers”; 3, Melanie Maxwell, The Ann Arbor News, “National Championship Loss.”
Best Feature Photo: 1, Sammy Jo Hester, The Saginaw News, “Hospital Wedding”; 2, Jake May, The Flint Journal, “Brotherly Love”; 3, Theophil Syslo, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Electric Concert.”
Best News Photo: 1, Rod Sanford, Lansing State Journal, “Charlie Company”; 2, Jake May, The Flint Journal, “Tears of a Triple Homicide”; 3, Kim Brent, The Monroe Evening News, “Colton Durbin Vigil.”
Best Informational Graphics or Illustrations: 1, The Saginaw News, “Cost of Violence”; 2, Michael Eckert, Port Huron Times Herald, “Blue Water Half Marathon”; 3, Ed Riojas, The Flint Journal, “Imploding the Towers.”
Best Sports: 1, Ross Maghielse, The Flint Journal, “Davison Falls”; 2, Hugh Bernreuter, The Saginaw News, “Dodgers Prospect”; 3, Lansing State Journal, “Prepapalooza.”
Best Sports Column: 1, Peter Cunningham, The Ann Arbor News, “Brace Yourself Ann Arbor”; 2, Hugh Bernreuter, The Saginaw News, “Swan Valley Football Program”; 3, Kyle Feldscher, The Ann Arbor News, “Undercover Buckeye in Ann Arbor.”
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Peter Cunningham, The Ann Arbor News, “Outdoor Hockey”; 2, Peter Cunningham, The Ann Arbor News, “Part of the Team”; 3, David Drew, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Receiver Davis Finds His Way.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single Sports Event: 1, Scott Brandenburg and Lynn Moore, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Hesperia Wrestling Coach”; 2, Scott DeCamp, Kalamazoo Gazette, “Mattawan Boys Basketball Coach”; 3, Mark Opfermann, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Muskegon Lumberjacks.”
Best Writer: 1, Blake Thorne , The Flint Journal; 2, Heather Peters, The Muskegon Chronicle; 3, Scott Atkinson , The Flint Journal.
Best Editorial: 1, Linda Mah, Kalamazoo Gazette, “School District at Risk”; 2, Bernie Eng, The Bay City Times, “Odor In Bay City”; 3, Tom Walker, Port Huron Times Herald, “Fire Chief Rebuke.”
Best Multimedia Journalist: 1, Daniel Brenner, The Ann Arbor News; 2, Mark Bugnaski, Kalamazoo Gazette; 3, Jake May, The Flint Journal.
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DIVISION I, Newspapers with daily circulation under 15,000
General Excellence: 1, Grand Haven Tribune; 2, The (Greenville) Daily News; 3, The Jackson Citizen Patriot
Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Brienne Prusak, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Recovery Court”; 2, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Deadly Medicine”; 3, Lisa Satayut, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Kids Raising Kids.”
Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Cory Smith, The (Greenville) Daily News, “Woman’s Requests”; 2, Jackie Stark, The (Marquette) Mining Journal, “Drowning Probe”; 3, Curtis Wildfong , The (Owosso) Argus-Press, “Owosso Settlement.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single News Event: 1, Cory Smith, The (Greenville) Daily News, “Devon Morrison Missing”; 2, Huron Daily Tribune, “Sewage Woes”; 3, Christopher Behnan and Wayne Peal, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Drug Contamination.”
Best Breaking News: 1, Becky Vargo, Grand Haven Tribune, “Russian Roulette”; 2, Krystle Wagner, Grand Haven Tribune, “Teen Dies in Crash”; 3, Becky Vargo, Grand Haven Tribune, “Young Mom Abducted.”
Best News Column: 1, Mike Taylor, The (Greenville) Daily News, “My Old Man”; 2, Brad Flory, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Brains in High-School Sports”; 3, Maureen Burns, The (Greenville) Daily News, “That Never Ending Word.”
Best Public Service: 1, Christopher Behnan, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Gridlock Threatens Man’s Life”; 2, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Fracking”; 3, Alex Doty, Grand Haven Tribune, “Wages 101.”
Best Feature Story: 1, Mike Desotell, Marinette EagleHerald, “Child’s Letter Inspires”; 2, Curtis Wildfong, The (Greenville) Daily News, “Someone Who Understands”; 3, Kelly Dame, Midland Daily News, “Groundwork for Blue.”
Best Website: 1, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus; 2, Grand Haven Tribune; 3, Escanaba Daily Press.
Best Video: 1, Cory Smith, The (Greenville) Daily News, “Belding Robotics Team Competition”; 2, John Grap, Battle Creek Enquirer, “Homeless Camp”; 3, Gillis Benedict, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Bikers for Books.”
Best Photo Story: 1, Sean Proctor, Midland Daily News, “Fight for Katie K.”; 2, J. Scott Park, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Journey Back”; 3, Cory Smith, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “We Want to Find Devon.”
Best Sports Photo: 1, Lisa Yanick-Jonaitis, Mount Pleasant Morning Sun, “Beal Bench Celebrates”; 2, Jason Juno, Ironwood Daily Globe, “Game Changer”; 3, J. Scott Park, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Thumbs Up for Teammates.”
Best Feature Photo: 1, Cory Smith, The (Greenville) Daily News, “Crystal Lake Fireworks”; 2, Nick Garrison, Battle Creek Enquirer, “Balloon Coverleaf”; 3, Paul P. Adams, Huron Daily Tribune, “Relay for Life.”
Best News Photo: 1, Becky Vargo, Grand Haven Tribune, “Asleep On the Bus”; 2, J. Scott Park, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Arraignment for Brother”; 3, Holly Richer, Escanaba Daily Press, “Blaze in Ford River.”
Best Informational Graphics or Illustrations: 1, Krystle Wagner and Jordan Haenlein, Grand Haven Tribune, “Sky’s the Limit”; 2, Jordan Haenlein, Grand Haven Tribune, “Stocks Surge”; 3, Jordan Haenlein, Grand Haven Tribune, “That’s the Ticket!”
Best Sports: 1, Brian Beaupied, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “Fab Four”; 2, Paul P. Adams and Seth Stapleton, Huron Daily Tribune, “Back 2 the Creek”; 3, Matt DeYoung, Grand Haven Tribune, “Breathtaking Victory.”
Best Sports Column: 1, Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer, “Bearcat Great”; 2, Dan Chalk, Midland Daily News, “What It’s Like to be Bullied”; 3, Nate Schneider, Mount Pleasant Morning Sun, “All-State Robbery.”
Best Sports Enterprise: 1, Rich McGowan, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Battle Against Cancer”; 2, Nate Schneider, Mount Pleasant Morning Sun, “Full Recovery”; 3, Rich McGowan, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Teen Balances Responsibilities.”
Best Sustained Coverage of a Single Sports Event: 1, Nick Buckley and Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer, “Playing Together”; 2, Rich McGowan and Leanne Smith, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, “Keeping the Promise?”; 3, Matt Wellens, The (Marquette) Mining Journal, “NMU Hoops Coach.”
Best Writer: 1, Danielle Salisbury, The Jackson Citizen Patriot; 2, Becky Vargo, Grand Haven Tribune; 3, Mike Taylor, The (Greenville) Daily News.
Best Editorial: 1, Cheryl Welch, Grand Haven Tribune, “Stand Up Against Racism”; 2, Rich Perlberg, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, “GOP Tantrum”; 3, Dan Kitkowski, Marinette EagleHerald, “Domestic Abuse Advocate.”
Best Multimedia Journalist: 1, Cory Smith, The (Greenville) Daily News; 2, J. Scott Park, The Jackson Citizen Patriot; 3, Andy Fitzpatrick, Battle Creek Enquirer.
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