Best of the MonthDecember 2015

Congratulations to Tiffany Gibson, selected Best Overall for December and the newsrooms nominee for Employee of the Month.

Here’s Phil O’Connor’s nomination:

Collaboration might as well be Tiffany Gibson’s middle name. Seriously. Just look up the definition in Merriam-Webster.“To work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.”

Possibly no one in the newsroom has more interaction with more of her co-workers on a day-to-day basis than Tiffany. And sometimes they don’t even know it.

Every day she expertly, and seemingly effortlessly, manages our Newsok.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, which serve as our primary social connections to our online audience. Using those accounts and other means, Tiffany also creatively promotes many of our reporters’ stories, amplifying our reach to our readers.

Tiffany also is often the newsroom’s go-to person on all things digital. She is always patient while explaining the often baffling array of new technologies that continue to be introduced for reporting the news. She is always abreast of current industry trends and strives to keep her co-workers informed.Tiffany also frequently teams with Marketing and with BigWing on various initiatives and also serves as the primary conduit for the NIC’s interaction with Audience Development projects that relate to news and workflow.

‘‘She understands reporter needs, editor workflows and audience demand, allowing her to evaluate the news impact for technology that we are either developing ourselves or implementing from a third party,’’ VP Alan Herzberger said.

When not ably handling her assigned duties, Tiffany often is experimenting with reporters and editors on new forms of storytelling. Whether it’s programming an interesting animated graphic, producing a podcast or creating a video presentation, Tiffany displays the type of self-initiative we seek encourage among our employees. A perfect example was our company’s online Thanksgiving greeting. It was all her idea. If you haven’t seen it, check it out here:http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/4630785126001She works hard, is demanding of herself and encouraging of others. She’s a font of ideas, executes instructions quickly and well and consistently seeks to make herself and our product better. And she does it all with grace and a smile. She is certainly deserving of recognition."

Winners in other categories:

Best Beat or Breaking News StoryFrom: Robby TrammellNominee: Kyle SchwabPlay – Guilty on 18 counts; Fired police officer is convicted of offenses against eight victims http://archive.newsok.com/olive/apa/oklahoman/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=DOK%2F2015%2F12%2F11&id=Ar00102&sk=80CFDE25

Best Feature StoryFrom: Adam Kemp/Darla SlipkeNominee: Jaclyn CosgroveJaclyn's writing for this story was top notch. She got a very personal and heartfelt interview with Cathy Costello, the widow of former Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, and was able to turn it into a very eye-opening and retrospective look back at all the events that led to Mark Costello's death. It was so good my own mother called me to ask me if I had read it yet. http://newsok.com/article/5465005

Best Specialty Feature From: Matt PriceNominee: Nominee: Dave CatheyDave did a great job wrapping up the era of the cafeteria in OKC as Boulevard closed its doors. Dave's follow up column on Sunday was also well-read, and the comments received from readers were enough to fill an additional Wednesday column. Mark Long -- I remember most of the ones mentioned in the story. I had forgotten about Adair’s. My grandmother worked at Rothschild’s when it opened at Penn Square and I remember going to Anne Maude's and then Anne Maude's Pantry. I once threw up outside of Queen Ann as a young kid because I ate too much with the grandparents. I would not have eaten like that with the family. My grandmother was very pushy. She would walk to the front of the line to pay when we left. She did the same thing at Kamp’s and walked past the line to Henry to get her meat order. ... · Dec 14, 2015 9:37 p.m. Hunden Mcphearson -- Owner at Self -- Mrs. Dodson made the most wonderful chocolate pies, and cinnamon rolls. http://newsok.com/article/5466486http://newsok.com/boulevards-closing-sparks-memories-of-oklahoma-city-cafeterias/article/5466960http://newsok.com/article/5466165

Best Business Story or Business Feature From: Don MecoyNominees: Paul Monies/Brianna BaileyBrianna and Paul did a splendid job covering the ongoing earthquake swarm, and the response by the state and the energy industry. Among the notable stories they produced in December was Brianna's on SandRidge Energy's refusal to follow a directive from regulators to limit the amount of water they dispose of wells near recent seismic activity. The month was capped off with Paul's A1 play story about the strong Edmond quakes. http://newsok.com/article/5469411UNNERVING: After earthquakes shake Edmond area, Oklahoma regulators prepare response

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5468212?nok_redirect=yesSandRidge refuses to shut down disposal wells after quakes

Best Sports StoryFrom: Mike ShermanNominee: Jason KerseyJason's takeout on Baker Mayfield takes readers through all the unlikely plot twists that first landed him at OU and then put him and the Sooners in the College Football Playoff. http://newsok.com/article/5468377

Best In-Depth/Project/EnterpriseFrom: Phillip O’Connor/Jaclyn Cosgrove/Richard HallNominees: Silas Allen, Juliana Keeping, Darla Slipke, Richard HallJuliana, Darla and Silas worked hard and with compassion to tell some of the compelling stories that took place on a tragic autumn day in Stillwater. And Richard's online work on The Intersection is some of his best work of the year, as it takes a rather long story and breaks it up to make it easier on our readers. The reporters’ story on the homecoming parade crash struck a nerve with many readers, like this one: "The recounting of the OSU Homecoming tragedy from the point of view of many who were in the eye of the chaos was a gripping read. Your reporters vividly portrayed the personal and human sides of the tragedy. Importantly, the tone of the vignettes was thoughtful and respectful. Jane in our group was at the site. She saw it happen. She leaped into action, helping people while notifying us to mobilize. She conveyed aspects of several of the stories your journalists eloquently told with their words. Well written story. Thank you for telling “their” stories. Yes, unfortunately, evil exist in this world and sadly it manifest itself at times. But good also exist, and when the two extremes confront each other, good prevails. Good prevailed in your story today." Blessings, Brent BRENT GOODEN • http://newsok.com/article/5466703

Best Watchdog StoryFrom: Robby TrammellNominee: Randy EllisPage 1 – Tracking state tax credits can create budget challenge http://archive.newsok.com/olive/apa/oklahoman/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=DOK%2F2015%2F12%2F06&id=Ar00302&sk=777569B3

Best Column/Opinion/First-Person StoryFrom: Matt PriceNominee: Ken RaymondKen wrote a column about his niece coming home for Christmas to which everyone could relate, and be reminded of their own family connections. Reader comments: Mr. Raymond, I am taking this time to let you know that I appreciate your heartfelt and heart-warming writings on subjects not often appearing in the newspapers. Today I am referring to your Halloween article and more recent "Coming Home" piece. Oft time we forget to let those of you that enter our lives on a daily basis know just how important you are in making our lives better. I dare say that I have lived in Oklahoma 95% of the time since leaving northwest Iowa to move to Clinton in 1961. Being accustomed to reading the "Sioux City Journal" on a daily bases, it was a given that I would take delivery of my new state's paper, albeit I was in my early 20's. Thank you for choosing to live in Oklahoma too. Patricia Klein

------------- Ken, As a novelist and poet, I admire good writing. I enjoy your features very much. They are honest. And well written. Sincerely, Robert Ferrier --------- I so enjoyed your article that was published Dec.24. It just gives me a warm, cozy feeling reading about the happenings in someone's (in this case, your) private life. It (the article) was just such a loving portrayal. It also makes your readers feel as if they know you almost personally. You become more than just a reporter for the Oklahoman. You're a real person with thoughts, cares, and loves just as we, your readers have. I also loved that article about the ballerina who died. That was a very warm, loving article. Can't remember for sure, but you did write that one didn't you? [Ken's note: I did not.] Enjoy your Christmas holidays with Amy and Linnae and all the rest of your family. In Christian love, Lynn Hughes --------------- Ryan McNeill, formerly of The Oklahoman, tweeted: If I owned a paper, which I do not, I would hire @kosar1969 and tell him to write about whatever he wants. twitter.com/kosar1969/stat… ---------------- Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your article in the 12-24 Oklahoman!! Sounds like you’re a wonderful uncle…Merry Christmas! Connie Morrison --------------- Incredible column today, "Coming Home for Christmas." Thank you for it. Hope you will do a follow up one about the visit. I have connections with some of my nieces & nephews that are a strong unbreakable bond & one awesome great nephew. I was pleased to read your joy in your niece. Blessings & Merry Christmas. Sharon Herndon Duncan, OK P.S. Wish you always had the front page. ------------------- Your article really tugged at my heartstrings this morning and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing your heart today. Freddi Wilson -------------- Hello Ken, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your story in this mornings paper. All the things you shared about your family and your holidays was a good story. Life is not always easy or the same but we all have to move forward and enjoy the times we have with loved ones. I wish you a Merry Christmas and I know your visit with Linnae will be wonderful. Cathey (cbrownlow1@cox.net) -------------- So enjoyed your Coming Home for Christmas story in paper this AM. Good job! Was informative and entertaining. I believe I wrote to you in the past at least once and said your writing at times reminds me of one of my favorite humorous authors, Bill Bryson. May you and yours enjoy a wonderful Christmas time with your visiting niece. Thanks for a good Holiday article. Jack Dill Blanchard-------------- Ken, love your story! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas Sharron DaVault -------------- I love your stories about home, family, and your growing up years. I realize that you are a writer by profession but these particular types of stories and how you tell them are somewhat nostalgic for me. Of course my life and remembrances are different but as I read your stories, I find myself spirited back to special memories of my journey. While I am blessed and relatively happy, I enjoy being stimulated to think of all my experiences that have gotten me to this point in my life after 70 years and still counting. Your story last Halloween and this one have truly been enjoyable. You are a gifted story teller. I look forward to more in the future. Blessings and good health to you and yours this holiday season. Thanks for sharing! Dave Osborn http://newsok.com/article/5468589

Best PhotoFrom: Doug HokeNominee: Nate BillingsALTERNATE CROP: Former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw cries as he is led from the courtroom after the verdicts were read for the charges against him at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. Holtzclaw was found guilty of 18 of the 36 counts. He was accused of sexually assaulting 13 black females between December 2013 and June 2014. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Additional Comments: The shot we needed. Guilty officer lead away in custody.

Best Design/IllustrationFrom: Moran ElwellNominee: Moran ElwellI was given what was really a press release from OMRF and some stock art to make a centerpiece out of. I found other art, Photoshopped it, and, since the story was a look back at health stories, tried to come up with a centerpiece that had the feel of an old medical text.

Best Blog/Social Media Effort From: Phillip O’ConnorNominee: Julianna KeepingSince its August debut, thanks to the hard work of Juliana, the Morning Brew has become part of the morning habit for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of our readers. Every weekday, Juliana gets up early to cull a variety of sources to provide a unique first glimpse of the day's headlines, including many you might not otherwise see. I'll have another cup, please http://newsok.com/article/5456026

Best VideoFrom: David MorrisNominee: Tim MoneyFor all his work on the Daniel Holtzclaw verdict.http://newsok.com/article/5465926

Best HeadlineFrom: Moran ElwellNominee: Moran ElwellI needed a headline that gave both the idea of gifts and academia.

Special Effort to Improve Accuracy From: Amy RaymondNominee: Felicia MurrayFelicia regularly catches errors in stories as she edits for Page One and inside. Although we often pay more attention to her headlines, it bears notice that her efforts help us improve our accuracy overall, as well. Here are two examples of catches she made during December. Both catches also reflect a larger knowledge of Oklahoma news. FELICIA: When rimming a story about the McLoud case for the Dec. 1 paper, I noticed a discrepancy between a cutline and the story. I used a file photo of Gary Doby, and in the cutline it said he was sentenced to life in prison. This caught my eye because the story says both he and Kimberly Crain were sentenced to 45 years after pleading guilty. In reading past stories in our archives, I found that Doby pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Crain pleaded no contest and received 45 years. It was changed in the story. FELICIA: When rimming a Dec. 18 story about the prison sentence for the distracted driver who killed trooper Nicholas Dees, she noticed and fixed a misspelling on the name of the trooper’s widow. The story had Brandi Nees, but it’s Brandi Dees.

Special RecognitionFrom: Mike ShermanNominees: Ryan Sharp, Berry TramelRyan's behind-the-scenes work is never more important than in bowl season when bowl coverage, credentials and coverage produces a mountain of details to work through. At the same time, Berry Tramel has been-there, done-that when it comes to the travel end and always finds ways to make the most affordable arrangements, providing The Oklahoman and its readers the biggest bang for its dollar.