Bucks County Courier Times, Intelligencer staff win big in statewide journalism contest
The Bucks County Courier Times and Intelligencer have won 14 awards in the annual Pennsylvania Keystone Professional News Media statewide journalism contest, including first-place awards for coverage of the devastating tornados that ripped through Bensalem last summer and the shooting of Yardley police Chief Joseph Kelly.
Staff members won five first-place, five second-place and four honorable mentions in the Keystone Awards, presented by the Pennsylvania NewMedia Association.
"This year presented challenges for our newsroom, from the continuing COVID pandemic to devastating tornados and a hurricane. It tested us in many ways, but I’m incredibly proud of the outstanding journalism we produced for our readers. Our coverage of the tornados included work by every member of our staff,” said Danielle Camilli, editor of the Bucks County Courier Times and Intelligencer.
"We are honored to be recognized by our peers. But we also know we could not have done this work without the support of our subscribers. We are grateful and energized.”
Honored works appeared in both the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer, but due to contest rules were entered under the Courier Times' name in Division III of the contest.
Here's a look at the winners:
First place
Breaking news: Bucks County Courier Times staff, for coverage of the July 2021 tornado that ripped through Bensalem
Ongoing news coverage: Jo Ciavaglia and James McGinnis, for their coverage of the August 2021 shooting of Yardley police chief Joseph Kelly, and how the suspect's mental illness played a role in the crime
Column: JD Mullane, for the columns, "Why a homeless man lay dead for hours next to a busy Levittown highway"; "After Afghanistan debacle, what do we say to those who fought and died in the War on Terror?"; "A Karen calls to say her name isn't a punchline"
Personality profile: Marion Callahan, for her profile of Bucks County philanthropist Gene Epstein
Feature video: Marion Callahan, for her video of Sync Recovery, a nonprofit that uses the outdoors to support recovery from substance abuse
Breaking news coverage:Bensalem tornado was a powerful EF3. Here's its destructive path
Ongoing news coverage:Man charged with shooting Yardley police chief has long history of mental illness
Column writing:Mullane: Bucks County homeless lives vanish with hardly a trace
Personality profile:His cash giveaway grabbed attention, but Bucks' Gene Epstein has a long legacy of providing for those in need
Second place
News beat reporting: Jo Ciavaglia, Watchdog beat. Her entry included coverage of the use of force at Bucks County Jail; the misuse of Taser devices by law enforcement; the secret retirement deal offered to former Warminster police Officer James Carey; how safeguards failed to keep guns out of alleged Yardley police shooter's hands; why Quakertown officials didn't act on Bush House problems before its November condemnation; and the anonymity of Pennsylvania Lottery winners.
News feature story: James McGinnis, for his story about Pennsylvania's bat population
Personality profile: JD Mullane, for his profile of dentist Ike Roepcke
News event photo: Michele Haddon, for her photographic coverage of a Special Olympics event at Pennridge High School
Sports feature photo: Nancy Rokos, "Putting the lean on his groom"
Watchdog reporting:Lethal force? Taser devices are meant to save lives, yet hundreds die after their use by police
News feature:Bats are making a comeback, and that will mean fewer mosquitoes. Here's how you can help
Personality profile:PA's oldest working dentist is 94 and has no plans to retire: 'Take my advice, it’s bad for your health'
Honorable mention
Ongoing news coverage: Jo Ciavaglia, for her continuing coverage of the serious accident that injured four Neshaminy High School students
Column: Phil Gianficaro, for his columns, "Bucks County judge must live with consequences of Kayden Mancuso ruling"; "When taking son to college for first time, tears of joy, sadness hitch a ride"; "'When I get to heaven, I won't ask God why': Bucks mom who lost 3 children, husband to ALS"
Feature story: Jo Ciavaglia, for her coverage of the Publicker Jane Doe murder case, part of the ongoing Return To View cold case podcast series
Sports action photo: Nancy Rokos, "They're off in the Parx Dirt Mile Stakes"
Ongoing coverage:'Extreme indifference': DA alleges hours of drinking, ignored pleas and a hit and run before 'Neshaminy 4' crash
Column writing:'When I get to heaven, I won't ask God why': Bucks mom who lost 3 children, husband to ALS
Feature story:Publicker Jane Doe case: Local police detective bound and determined to give Lisa Todd justice
In addition to the Keystones, Ciavaglia and McGinnis also were recognized with a second-place award for spot news in the Pennsylvania Keystone Society of Professional Journalists Awards contest, for their coverage of the condemnation of the Bush House in Quakertown in November.
Their Bush House coverage also was a finalist in the breaking news category in this year's Best of Gannett awards, which recognizes outstanding journalism at Gannett's hundreds of local news organizations and USA TODAY.
Bush House condemned:Removed from Bush House Hotel, residents struggle: 'I don't know where I'm supposed to go'
Ciavaglia and reporters Damon Williams and Chris Dornblaser also were Best of Gannett finalists in the social justice category, for their work exploring the lack of diversity in Bucks County's police departments.
Social justice:Most Bucks and Montgomery County police officers are white men. How can that change?
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County Courier Times, Intelligencer win big in PA media contest
