Massillon Independent writer, photographer named finalists in Ohio APME contest
Two Massillon Independent journalists have been named finalists for four awards in the annual Ohio Associated Press Media Editors contest.
Finalists were announced this week. The awards in order of finish — first, second and third places — will be announced May 7 at an awards ceremony at the Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center in Columbus.
Staff writer Amy Knapp is a finalist for best business writer and best news writer.
Photographer Kevin Whitlock is being honored for best feature photo and best sports photo.
The newspaper competes in Division I among Ohio papers such as the Sydney Daily News, Ironton Tribune, and Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune.
2022 Ohio APME finalists by Rick Armon on Scribd
Canton Repository staff members — whose work also appears in the Independent — also are finalists in the competition in Division IV. The following Repository staff members are being honored:
Ed Balint: Best feature writer.
Paige Bennett: Best business writer.
Tim Botos: Best enterprise reporting for a story examining the fatal shooting of James Williams by a police officer; best investigative reporting for a story looking at why several football players transferred to Massillon from Beachwood; best public service for a story about how area health departments conduct restaurant inspections; and best feature writer.
Kelly Byer: Best explanatory reporting for her story on the dirty process of producing leaded steel.
Kelsey Davis: Best business writer and best public service for a story breaking down which grocery stores offer delivery and pickup services in Stark County.
Steve Doerschuk: Best sports enterprise for a five-part series on the 1997 Canton McKinley football champions and best sports reporter.
Ben Duer: Best spot news coverage for the story about the riot at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Institute in Massillon.
Charita Goshay: Best columnist.
Kelli Weir: Best enterprise reporting for a story examining how schools respond to the deaths of students.
Repository photographer Scott Heckel, who retired last year, also is up for awards for best photographer, best news photo, best photo story and best sports story. Rob Backus, one of the Repository page designers, is being honored for best full page design.
The Repository also was named a finalist for best digital presence.
The Repository and Independent are both owned by Gannett.
The contest featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2022.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Independent writer, photographer finalists in Ohio APME contest