The Lima News recognized for general excellence

May 12—COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Lima News was named as the best Ohio newspaper of its size, selected as the general excellence winner in the 2020 Ohio Associated Press Media Editors newspaper competition.

The newspaper won 25 awards, it learned during an online event Tuesday night. The Lima News recorded seven first-place wins, 11 second-place finishes and seven third-place mentions. The newspaper competes with other newspapers with paid print circulation between 19,000 and 59,999.

It's the second year in a row the newspaper received more than 20 awards.

"It's a tough job being a journalist today, but one that is as important as ever. I give a lot of credit to our staff for telling the stories that are important, as well as sharing the human-interest stories that make our community smile," said Jim Krumel, editor of The Lima News.

J Swygart won the award for best news writer for "clear, concise writing," a judge wrote.

Mackenzi Klemann won first place in the best investigative reporting category for "A victim, charged with murder" about a St. Marys woman's self-defense killing of her husband. She also finished second as best news writer.

Adrienne McGee Sterrett, the former lifestyles editor of The Lima News, won first place for best public service for the special section "Allen County 200 Years: Celebrating Our Bicentennial." Judges called it a "great historical perspective to Allen County and the city of Lima." McGee Sterrett also finished second for best headline writer and second place for best explanatory reporting for "Holiday Help," which guided people through celebrating the holidays virtually.

Amanda Wilson had the top two videos of the year, with first for a video from Freedom Elementary's kindergarten Thanksgiving and second from the Smiles Lines Project at the Riverside Art Gallery. Wilson also finished in third place as best photographer.

Krumel won first place as best editorial writer. "Krumel's editorials took firm stances on issues that matter to his readers," a judge wrote.

Miamisburg pagination hub chief Gary Presley and Krumel won best full-page design for a page looking back at the Dayton Flyers' unprecedented season.

Former reporter Josh Ellerbrock finished second in best investigative reporting for "Racial protests create new sparks in Lima."

David Trinko, managing editor, was recognized with a second-place finish as best business writer and second place as best graphics artist. His informational graphic on mobility changes during the pandemic finished second, with another graphic on reported COVID-19 statistics for Allen County finishing third. Trinko also finished third for best digital project for the LimaOhio.com/tag/coronavirus page with daily COVID-19 statistics.

Bob Seggerson received second place as best sports columnist for a collection of columns about high school basketball.

Craig J. Orosz, former photo editor of The Lima News, finished second for best feature photo for a shot of the Easter bunny visiting a pupil's home.

LimaOhio.com finished second for best digital presence.

Richard Parrish finished third for best news photo for his shots of the Roxy fire in downtown Lima.

Jim Naveau finished third in best sports enterprise for his Bracket of Champions looking back at the best boys basketball teams in the region.

Don Balduf won third in best full-page design for "Which way forward," the May 3, 2020, front cover about high school graduates choosing a path in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lima News sports section finished third in the state for best sports section.