Saturday, April 30, 2011 • Waterloo, Ontario

Tyler Brownbridge, Windsor StarWinner, Richard Sutton Award, Photojournalist of the Year

ONTARIO NEWSPAPER AWARDS

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Nick Brancaccio, Windsor Star, Finalist, Photojournalist of the Year

Mathew McCarthy, Waterloo Region Record, Finalist, Photojournalist of the Year

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Barrie ExaminerBelleville IntelligencerBrantford ExpositorBrockville Recorder and TimesChatham Daily NewsCobourg Daily StarCornwall Standard-FreeholderGuelph MercuryHamilton SpectatorKingston Whig-StandardThe Record (Waterloo Region)

London Free PressNiagara Falls ReviewNorth Bay NuggetOrillia Packet and TimesOttawa SunOwen Sound Sun TimesPembroke ObserverPeterborough ExaminerPort Hope Evening GuideSt. Catharines StandardSt. Thomas Times-Journal

Sarnia ObserverSault StarSimcoe ReformerStratford Beacon-HeraldSudbury StarThunder Bay Times JournalTimmins Daily PressWelland TribuneWindsor StarWoodstock Sentinel-Review

Thanks. That word, or some derivative, is probably the one I've used mostoften regarding the Ontario Newspaper Awards since we came out of a fairlydark period a couple of years back. Most of you know the story by now, but I'llrecap just in case. The recession and stressed newspaper economy came togetherand hit ONA as they did so many other facets of our industry. But thanks to theefforts of a small but dedicated band of volunteers, and the rock solid supportfrom newspaper sponsors The Spectator, the Record of Waterloo Region and TheToronto Star, we pulled through. And we have a story to tell.

Yes, we lost a lot of corporate newspaper support, in fact, only the aforemen-tioned papers remain in an official capacity. But we've gained a tremendous amount of financial andorganizational support from a growing team of sponsors. Their names appear elsewhere in the awardsbooklet.

I need to especially thank our small but mighty organizing committee: Wendy McCann of TheCanadian Press; Don McCurdy of the Ontario Press Council; Sherri Haigh of the Real Estate Council ofOntario, Phil Andrews of the Guelph Mercury, Jim Merriam, formerly of the Owen Sound Sun Times,and last but certainly not least, our hard working administrator and treasurer, Rosie Grover of TheHamilton Spectator. I also want to thank The Record's Liz Wilson, who stepped down as treasurer lastyear after many years of service.

We've tried some new things leading up to tonight's event. ONA now has a cool web site, designedby John Size. We're also active on Facebook and Twitter, thanks to the leadership of Wendy McCann.

So ONA is strong once again, and we thank you for your support and enthusiasm. Enjoy the rest ofyour night, and please let your friends and colleagues know that ONA is alive and well, and still a hell ofa good time.

Warmest regards, and congratulations to all our winners.

Howard ElliottManaging EditorThe Hamilton SpectatorChair, Ontario Newspaper Awards

Member papers

Welcome to the Ontario Newspaper Awards!

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Greetings from ONA'S Corporate Sponsors

On behalf of The Waterloo Region Record and Guelph Mercury it is a pleasure to be able towelcome the Ontario Newspaper Awards to Kitchener - Waterloo. Each year we gather tocelebrate excellence and innovation in our newsrooms and to recognize it as the engine thatdrives our business. Newspapers, online and in print, remain the single most importantsource of local community information. Congratulations to all the nominees and everyonehave a great time!

PAUL McCUAIG, PublisherGrand River Media, The Waterloo Region Record & Guelph Mercury

Tonight is about celebrating; celebrating great journalism and the dedicated profes-sionals who create it, celebrating an industry that, sometimes against the odds, continuesto invest in the calibre of storytelling and reporting that is so evident tonight and so vitalto our communities, and celebrating the all-too-rare occasions when old friends and col-leagues can indulge in an evening of simple camaraderie. On behalf of The HamiltonSpectator, congratulations to all of this evening's nominees and award recipients. Youhave achieved something quite special, something well worth celebrating.

DANA ROBBINS, Publisher, The Hamilton Spectator

Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.Famiglia Dragani, producers of fine wines from the Abruzzi region of Italy, are proud to sponsor the

Ontario Newspaper Awards and the celebration of excellence in journalism. All of us at Dragani hope youenjoy the festivities and wines and congratulations to all of this year's nominees.

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The 57th Annual Ontario Newspaper AwardsWaterloo Inn • April 30, 2011

The following are sponsored byWATERLOO REGION RECORD

K.A. (Sandy) Baird AwardHumour Writing

John E. Motz Memorial AwardDesign and Graphics (over 25,000 circulation)

John E. Motz Memorial Award Design and Graphics (under 25,000 circulation)

The following is sponsored byMARKETWIRE

Investigative/Enterprise Journalism

Sports Photography (over 25,000 circulation)

The following are sponsored byTIM HORTONS

Gene Florcyk Memorial AwardSports Writing (over 25,000 circulation)

James Bruce Award Excellence in coverage of Entertainment and the Arts

Del Bell Memorial Award Feature Writing (over 25,000 circulation)

Jack Bowman Memorial AwardSpot News Photography (under 25,000 circulation)

Joan May Memorial AwardColumns

Walter J. BlackburnExcellence in Editorials, Opinion and Analysis

(over 25,000 circulation)

K.J. Strachan AwardExcellence in Editorials, Opinion and Analysis

(under 25,000 circulation)

The following are sponsored byTHE HAMILTON SPECTATORRobert J. Hanley Award Sports Writing

(under 25,000 circulation)

Online Multimedia Special Project

The following are sponsored byCNW GROUP

Spot News Reporting Award (under 25,000 circulation)

Spot News Photography (over 25,000 circulation)

The following are sponsored byONTARIO POWER AUTHORITY

Green Environment Writing

Feature Photography (over 25,000 circulation)

Multi-Media Journalists

The following are sponsored byTORONTO STAR

Feature Photography (under 25,000 circulation)

Online Photography

The following are sponsored byFORD OF CANADA

Spot News Reporting Award (over 25,000 circulation)

Sports Photography (under 25,000 circulation)

Tony Fredo Memorial Award for Feature Writing (under 25,000 circulation)

The following are sponsored byREAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO

Business Writing

Excellence in News Feature Writing

Online Video Production

Bill McGrath Award for Layout

The following are sponsored byONTARIO PROFESSIONAL

FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATIONMunicipal Affairs Reporting (over 25,000 circulation)

Municipal Affairs Reporting (under 25,000 circulation)

The following are sponsored byCOLLEGES ONTARIO

C.B. Schmidt Award for Novice Reporting (over 25,000 circulation)

Larry N. Smith Award for Novice Reporting (under 25,000 circulation)

The following is presented byWATERLOO REGION RECORD

Richard Sutton Award Photojournalist of the year

The following is presented byTIM HORTONS

Martha Blackburn Award

Journalist of the Year

CLOSING REMARKS: Howard Elliott, ONA Chair

ORDER OF CEREMONYWelcome: ONA CHAIRMAN: HOWARD ELLIOTT

A toast: Don McCurdyMessage from ONA Host Publisher

Message from Sponsor Representative

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

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Brian Thompson, Brantford ExpositorWinner, Feature Photography, under 25,000 circulation

Mike DiBattista, Niagara Falls ReviewFinalist, Feature Photography, under 25,000 circulation

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Tony Saxon, Guelph MercuryWinner, Sports Photography, under 25,000 circulation

Tony Saxon,Guelph MercuryFinalistFeature PhotographyUnder 25,000

Martha Blackburn AwardJournalist of the Year

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons in recognition of the London Free Press publisher, whose death in 1992was tragically premature. She encouraged everyone to be the best they could and strive to find ways tobe better.

Judges: Scott White, editor-in-chief, The Canadian Press, and Ann Rauhala, journalism professor, Ryerson University

STEVE BUISTHamilton Spectator

As the main reporter on the Spectator's ground-breaking Code Red project,Buist put a human face on the statistics that showed an enormous gap in thehealth of the people of Hamilton, depending on where they lived within the com-munity. Code Red is a significant piece of work, both for the complexity of itsanalysis and for the detailed reporting on the human toll of poverty.

The impact of poverty is an under-covered political issue in Canada. At atime when newspapers everywhere are facing challenges, the Spectator and Buisthave done what all newspapers should still strive for: uncovering a significant story that raises serious ques-tions for politicians, educators and everyone in the community.

The statistical analysis in Code Red was only part of the picture. Buist raised the series to a higher levelby finding and telling individuals stories, whether it was the paramedic delivering a baby in a rough part oftown while the new father is screaming at his girlfriend to produce a paternity test, or a mayor who knowspoverty from his own childhood, or a 21-year-old woman with four kids who's still optimistic her daughterwill be the one to break the cycle of teen pregnancy that has been part of her family for generations.

JEFF OUTHITWaterloo Region Record

Pity the people who live onAlbert Street "Waterloo's equiva-lent of Animal House." Universitystudents who live on the streethave clashed with permanent resi-dents for years. Outhit used freedom-of-informationdata from police dispatch records to paint a startlingpicture of how often police and bylaw officers areon the scene. It's just one of several strong storiesuncovered by Outhit on his city hall beat. He alsorevealed that taxpayers were footing the bill forback taxes owed by municipal employees for per-sonal benefits and outlined in detail the rise in cityhall spending and local tax rates just as the munici-pal election was kicking off. Citizens in WaterlooRegion were well served by Outhit's strong andeffective journalism.

JONATHAN SHERLondon Free Press

Wind turbines have already gen-erated a lot of heat, even if it isn'texactly the green energy that theiradvocates are promoting. Ontario'sgrand plan to ramp up the province'suse of wind power fivefold in thenext 20 years has turned farmlands into battlefields andcottagers into placard-waving protesters. In this series,Jonathan Sher explores the many conflicting interests atstake in what has become a hostile dispute with far-reaching and long-lasting implications. On one hand,there are communities happy to reap the employmentbenefits of transforming Ontario into an internationalleader in green technology. Siding with them are thosewho say that wind power is safer and cheaper thanmost alternatives, noting that it has been used in Europefor decades. On the other side are the anti-wind powergroups "53 so far in 32 counties" who say the giantwindmills could ruin their health, their property values,local wildlife and, yes, destroy the views at sunset. Shersorts out the disputes evenhandedly, with careful,detailed reporting and energetic, accessible writing. Noreader could fail to be better informed about this impor-tant environmental issue "one likely to become an elec-tion issue in Ontario" after reading Sher's series.

Finalists

Richard Sutton AwardPhotojournalist of the Year

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Sponsored by: The Waterloo Region Record. In recognition of Richard S. Sutton, an outstanding pho-tographer and former chief photographer of the Record, who died in May 1976.

Judge: Graeme Roy, director of news photography, The Canadian Press

TYLER BROWNBRIDGEWindsor Star

Tyler Brownbridge’s portfolio was full of images that made excellent useof light with strong composition and content making for a winning entry.

Brownbridge showed a deft hand at using mostly available light to helpshape the content in his photos, which produced dynamic and clear story-telling images. Aided by his strong compositional skills, his portfolio collec-tively and on a picture-by-picture basis was extremely dynamic and yetpulled you into the photos with a calm and gently touch.

Using high shutter speed to help freeze the water drops falling on a young boy at a splash-padalong with his joyous facial expression, or the narrow depth-of-field used in a close up of a dragonflyon a flower, to the seemingly smiling face of a tiny baby possum eating from a syringe at a rescueshelter, Brownbridge delivers an amazingly touching photo time after time.

MATHEW McCARTHYWaterloo Region Record

Mathew McCarthy’s strongportfolio featured a wonderfulcollection of found momentsand carefully crafted andthought-out portraits whichhighlighted his keen eye and strong composition-al skills. His ability to anticipate and capture themoment is highlighted in photos like the younglego robot engineer reacting to his creation’s per-formance, or the elegantly captured great egretcaptured at the exact right moment as it pulls afish from the water. Also standouts are his ele-gant and thoughtful portraits of renowned cos-mologist Stephen Hawking, the smart use ofshallow depth-of-field in his photo of footballplayer Tyler Varga, and his graceful touch withcancer patient Stuart Summerhayes.

NICK BRANCACCIOWindsor Star

Nick Brancaccio sure seemsto be at the right place at theright time...all the time. Hisportfolio runs the gamut fromhumourous photos to greatsports moments, to hot spot news. His patienceand planning are evident in photos like the per-fectly placed old fashioned horse drawn hearsepassing by the elegant gates of the cemetery. Hisspot news photos of a deer rescue from the icefurther show he knows where to be to capture themoment effectively. Same for his photo of a gog-gle-wearing pooch sticking its head out of the topof a sunroof. You have to have the skill to pull allthe elements together into a winning photograph.

Finalists

C.B. Schmidt AwardNovice Reporting (over 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Colleges Ontario in honour of its late editor-in-chief, Carl (Cully) B. Schmidt

Judge: Paul Woods, director of human resources, The Canadian Press

FRANCES WILLICKWindsor Star

The recipient of an honourable mention in this category last year,Frances Willick takes top spot this time thanks in large part to a superb longfeature called "Island of Misfit Toys." It tells the story of Drouillard Road,"the most visibly wounded neighbourhood" in a city that has been hit hardby the recession and cuts in the auto industry. Despite living in an area seenas "literally the wrong side of the tracks," community residents embrace andsupport each other, from drug addicts to prostitutes to those who are simply down on their luck.Willick, who visited the area several times over two weeks to get to know its motley "misfits," paintsvivid pictures with her words and especially her judicious use of quotes. "Last year, he caught on fire. . . got drunked up and I was partying and I got stupid and went up in flames." Willick also submit-ted hard-edged news stories about a man haunted by the sexual abuse he endured as a child from apriest, and an immigration adviser accused of defrauding a long string of citizenship applicants.

TERI PECOSKIEHamilton Spectator

Teri Pecoskie appears to beeverything a modern newspapercould want in a reporter. Shehas a nose for news, the abilityto tell a story well, and a highlevel of comfort with new technology, especiallyvideo. Her submission included three diverse fea-tures: a behind-the-scenes look at the bustlingactivity inside a courier cargo operation in thefrantic days before Christmas, a touching portraitof a popular pediatrician still practising at the ageof 90, and a video piece on a campanologist, orbell expert. The video (shot, scripted, voiced andproduced by Pecoskie ) takes the viewer inside achurch tower where the campanologist demon-strates the physics and mechanics of a craft thatis becoming increasingly rare.

Finalist

Gino Donato, Sudbury StarFinalist, Spot News Photographyunder 25,000

Larry N. Smith AwardNovice Reporting (under 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Colleges Ontario in tribute to Larry N. Smith, former managing editor of The St.Catharines Standard

Judge: Allison Jones, Reporter/Editor, The Canadian Press

BARBARA SIMPSONSimcoe Reformer

It’s clear that a promising journalism career lies ahead for BarbaraSimpson. The strong package submitted for this award shows she has astrong nose for unearthing news. Her stories have made waves locally,provincially and even nationally. Simpson broke the story of CodyLeCompte, a local teen stuck in Cuba following a car accident and stuck withthe saga as it gathered steam nationally. Following up on a local gas bar clo-sure Simpson also discovered that impending new safety regulations risked putting almost 90 per centof Ontario’s propane retailers out of business. Simpson deftly drew readers into the issue in the lede,by telling them their summer barbecues, campers and even farming equipment were in jeopardy. Theprovince eventually backed down. Simpson also produced a strong series of stories on medical mari-juana after discovering a shop was setting up in Delhi. Not every interviewee brandishes an illegalrifle during the interview to illustrate how he protects himself, but she struck the right tone on a con-troversial issue.

KIM MacKRAELGuelph Mercury

If a GA reporter’s chops are measured in tales of fates conspiring at deadline, super-speed copy turnarounds and angry interview subjects, Kim Mackrael is well on her wayto becoming a grizzled veteran. Mackrael displayed the tenacity, critical thinking andin-depth research required of a good reporter in a fascinating profile on a controversiallocal businessman. He makes some wide-ranging and fantastic claims and Mackraelmakes sure to thoroughly look into all of them and present them with enough context for readers tomake up their own minds about whether this man is a hero. As a summer intern, Mackrael had justreturned to the newsroom one night from a story when she was sent right back out to cover a house fire.In about 90 minutes, Mackrael gathered colour and details, interviewed neighbours and officials, discov-ered she lost her car keys and couldn’t get back to the newsroom, begged an interview subject to let heruse their home computer and filed a tight story with all the relevant information before the 10 p.m. dead-line.

Finalist

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Kaz Novak, Hamilton Spectator, Finalist Sports Photography over 25,000

Peter Lee, Waterloo Region Record, Finalist, Spot News Photography, over 25,000

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Spot News Reporting Awardover 25,000 circulation

Sponsored by: Ford of Canada

Judge: Wendy McCann, Ontario Bureau Chief, The Canadian Press

LONDON FREE PRESSNEWS TEAM

The definition of spot news journalism has been turned on its head as a result of the online mediarevolution. It’s no longer good enough to nail the story for the next day’s paper. In the Internet age,consumers of news demand to know what reporters know as soon as they know it. And that’s whatthe London Free Press team covering the shocking shooting of Ontario Provincial Police Const. VuPham delivered: solid journalism in real time. The Free Press team got to the scene 80 kilometresnorth of London within an hour of the shooting, and almost immediately began plastering their sitewith a torrent of news, photos and video. While the reportage was fast and furious, it was alsoinsightful. In the end, this team eloquently told the tragic story of an embittered logger and small-town politician so consumed by anger over the end of his marraige that he gunned down a cop andhockey dad who had been rescued as a child from Vietnam.

WINDSOR STAR TEAM

Highway 402 was so dumped with snow in a mid-December storm, that the Canadian Forces had tobe called in to rescue 237 people stranded in their vehicles. But the ferocity of the storm didn’t deter theWindsor Star team dispatched to report on it. Reporter Trevor Wilhelm and photographer Dan Janissetook a ride aboard a four-seater airplane to get a glimpse of the storm’s devastation captured by no othermedia. The Windsor Star team filed regular updates to the website from the field, while Craig Perasonworked the phones and cleverly used social media to reach stranded motorists in their cars. The Star didwhat smart newspapers do best: it engaged readers in the coverage by posting a reader’s video of drivingconditions, reader photos and a YouTube video taken by a trucker. The ariel photo of a huge convoy oftrucks sitting idle on the snow-covered highway is unforgettable.

Finalists

JOANNA FRKETICHThe Hamilton Spectator

Every day, journalists write stories about charges laid by police. It’s much more sat-isfying to be the reporter whose journalism helps lead police to alleged villains. Suchwas the case for Joanna Frketich as she raced against a tight deadline to reveal that ayoung Burlington woman faked cancer to raise thousands of dollars for herself. Withinhours of becoming aware that a local cancer fundraiser could be a hoax, Frketich hadfound fundraisers who worked on the woman’s behalf, donors, the girl’s parents, friends, colleagues andbeneficiaries. Less than 24 hours later, police had laid charges and the fraudulent fundraising had cometo an end. That’s spot journalism that made a difference.

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Spot News Reporting Awardunder 25,000 circulation

Sponsored by: CNW Group

Judge: Richard Brennan, National Affairs, The Toronto Star

SARNIA OBSERVER TEAMAs quickly as the once-in-a-lifetime storm snowstorm hit the

area between London, Ont. and Sarnia in December 2010, thenews team at The Observer was delivering cold hard facts abouta wintry blast that literally brought hundreds of motorists alongthe busy stretch of Highway 402 - to and from the Canada-United States border — to a standstill. The stories of selflessness,bravery and good old southwestern Ontario hospitality werebrought into sharp focus not only for Sarnia and area residentsbut for all Canadians, who turned to the Observer website to readabout the storm’s aftermath. The white-outs, frigid temperatureand impassable roads made this no ordinary storm. In some casespeople sat in their trucks and cars - those lucky enough to havefuel that is - for more than 24 hours waiting to either be rescuedor for the storm to let up. Police, military personnel - this trulywas a case for the military unlike storms elsewhere — and GoodSamaritans worked feverishly to help the stranded to safety, a warm meal and hot coffee. The stories,photos and personal accounts carried in the paper were complemented by web videos, scores ofonline photos and breaking news. The Observer delivered the whole package under the usual timeconstraints. Nothing spells teamwork like a newsroom working on a big story that requires everyoneto do their part to get it right and get it now.

Tara Jeffrey Tyler Kula

Cathy Dobson Shawn Jeffords

Diana Martin, Chatham Daily News, Winner, Spot News Photography, under 25,000

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Spot News Reporting Awardunder 25,000 circulation

BELLVILLE INTELIGENCER TEAM

News that Col. Russell Williams, 8 Wing/Canadian Forces BaseTrenton, was charged with the murders of two area women and sex-ual assaults was met with stunned disbelief. Not easy for anyone toget their head around such a story but the Belleville Intelligencerteam of reporters Jason Miller, Luke Hendry, Brice McVicar andcity editor Chris Malette never missed a beat from beginning toend. Besides doggedly reporting on the murders and on a communi-ty gripped in fear, the Intelligencer was the first to break the story ofthe Williams arrest and gave blow by blow coverage of the guiltyplea and the subsequent gripping trial. The team punched above itsweight as it went head-to-head with the national newspapers andtelevision networks transfixed with the story that both repulsed andriveted readers and viewers. It was plain to see the Intelligencerstaff kept on top of the story by working their contacts and keepingin close touch of the relatives of the murdered women and base per-sonnel. Raw emotions were laid bare in a thoughtful and respectful manner. What makes this entry evenmore important is that it was done with small staff successfully doing more with less. Print and web sto-ries and photos and courtroom Tweets, they did it all for Intelligencer readers.

HEATHER IBBOTSONBrantford Expositor

Every so often there is a suspicious death or unsolved murder that calls out for anewspaper to revisit. You just never know what might turn up. Such was the case ofBrantford’s Aaron Reid, 17, whose lifeless body was found in 1999, apparently killedby a passing train. His mother Donna Reid, 65, never believed it was an accident. In2009 the Expositor’s Heather Ibbotson talked at length with Reid and wrote about herunwavering belief that her son was victim of a murder and not some untimely accident. Then inFebruary 2010 word came to Ibbotson from Aaron's older brother Joe that the Brantford Police Service -with some help from a mother who never gave up hope and Ibbotson’s feature — had arrested three menand a woman in connection with the train fatality turned cold case homicide investigation. Chargesresulting from cold cases always make for interesting reading but Ibbotson’s earlier news feature helpedlay the groundwork for an in-depth front page news story that told readers not only about the unexpectedmurder charges but of a mother’s decade-long search for justice for her beloved son. Whether it was ahunch or just old-fashion good reporting, Ibbotson did her job well and Expositor readers were the betterfor it.

Finalists

Jason Miller Luke Hendry

Brice McVicar City EditorChris Malette

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Gene Florcyk Memorial AwardSports Writing (over 25,000 circulation)

Sponsored by: Tim Hortons

Judge: Julie Scott, Assistant Sports Editor, The Canadian Press

STEVE MILTONHamilton Spectator

Finding something new to say about hockey is not easy, but veterancolumnist Steve Milton’s “Working at the Game” series provided a freshtake on Canada’s game. Through scores of interviews with professors, hock-ey writers, leaders in the sport and even sociologists, Milton examinedhockey’s journey of self-exploration over the past 50 years and its place inCanadian culture. Exploring everything from how the 1972 Summit Serieswas a crucial turning point to the way the game is glued in some manner to our national psyche,Milton took an innovative approach to what could have been just another hockey story.

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

It’s likely that manySpectator readers didn’t knowthe legend of Jimmy Howardbefore reading Jon Wells’colourful profile of the formerstock car driver. Howard hadn’t been interviewedin years, but Wells was able to get the 91-year-old to open up. The result is an entertaining nar-rative piece that includes such vivid descriptionsone can almost smell the motor oil in Howard’sgarage at his home on Hamilton’s beach strip.Interviews with family members, a former rivaland a fan - as well as details from old racingreviews - help complete the compelling portraitof Howard. It’s a pleasure to read from beginningto end.

JEFF HICKSWaterloo Region Record

It was a Tuesday night inWoodstock and time was wind-ing down in a Junior C hockeygame between the hometownRenegades and the NewHamburg Firebirds. When two players got into afight, linesman Kevin Brown waited for an open-ing to break them up. Then, one of the playerstumbled, his skate slicing the right side ofBrown’s unprotected neck. It was a life-changingsplit second as Brown suffered a near-fatalstroke. Hicks’ piece is built around Brown’s firstextensive interview on the long-term effects ofhis injury, giving readers an inside look at thechallenges he faces in the wake of the accident.

Finalists

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Robert J. Hanley AwardSports Writing (under 25,000 circulation)

Sponsored by: The Hamilton Spectator in tribute to its retired award-winning sports editor.

Judge: Bryan Cantley, Vice-President of Member Services, Canadian Newspaper Association

CORY SMITHWoodstock Sentinel-Review

Junior hockey players aren’t supposed to be paid. They’re amateurs. But ina thorough and compelling exposé, Cory Smith of the Sentinel-Reviewrevealed that some players have received thousands of dollars - in cash - toplay hockey in small communities. Smith gathered evidence while surveyingmore than 100 Ontario Hockey Association teams on whether they had everpaid players or felt rival teams were doing so. The story became “JuniorHockey’s dirty little secret,” all in the interests of winning a championship,even if it breaks OHA rules. This was a textbook example of outstanding investigative reporting.

KEN PAGANNorth Bay Nugget

Capturing the full emotion ofa distraught Olympic athlete bytelephone is a rare talent.Journalist Ken Pagan hadarranged for a post-competitionphone call with North Bay athlete Steve Omischlbut then had to wait anxiously for the call whichalmost didn’t come in time. Omischl, who fin-ished a devastating eighth in the aerials competi-tion in Vancouver, had at first been too upset togive interviews. But just as Pagan started to headhome empty-handed after his shift ended at mid-night, Omischl called Pagan on his cellphone.Facing a 1 a.m. deadline after the 20-minuteinterview, Pagan wrote the story and repaginatedthe sports page. Pagan brilliantly conveyed theathlete’s feelings, all on a tight deadline.

DARRYL G. SMARTBrantford Expositor

Darryl G. Smart of theBrantford Expositor told theheartwarming story of a highschool hockey player’s battleback from a broken neck, suf-fered the season before, when he was hit frombehind in a minor midget game in February of2009. The story recalls Michael Stevens’ crush-ing injury, slow recuperation, courageous returnto the ice for his high school a year later and hishopes of playing higher level hockey. Smartnicely allowed Michael’s father, a coach and ateacher to lend their views to a story that cap-tured the imagination of an entire city.

Finalists

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Dan Janisse, Windsor Star, Winner, Spot News Photography, over 25,000

Del Bell Memorial AwardFeature Writing (over 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons

Judge: Malcolm McNeil, Senior National Desk Editor, The Canadian Press

AEDAN HELMEROttawa Sun

A 29-year-old who is HIV posi-tive is held on charges of aggravatedsexual assault, accused of havingunprotected sex and not disclosinghis status as a carrier. Police thinkthe information should get to thepublic and make his name and photo available. Shouldmedia outlets take the same view and publish? Themainstream media answered yes in May 2010 in thecase of a man police in Ottawa described as a sexualpredator. But the backlash from parts of the gay com-munity to that decision caused the Ottawa Sun’s AedanHelmer to take a second look. The result was CourtingConfusion, an even-handed exposition of the argumentsfor and against the decision to publish the news thepolice wanted disseminated. Police said they did notmake the decision lightly but believed the release of thephoto was needed; that the public had to be notified asthe man was believed to have multiple, unwitting sexpartners. Activists said the publicity could have anunwelcome result — men with high-risk behavioursmight become more reluctant to get tested, taking theview: “Don’t get tested or you will get arrested.” Andthey said a criminal aspect isn’t always clear in suchcases, but that it depends on circumstances. Helmerstands aside and lets the activists and police have theirsay. Courting Confusion educates readers on a questionmany may find surprisingly complex and resistant toeasy answers.

Finalists

STEVE BUISTHamilton Spectator

The Spectator series, Code Red, Where You Live Affects Your Health, used exten-sive original research and analysis to uncover stark inequalities among Hamiltonneighbourhoods. The finding that crystallizes its sobering picture is in reporter SteveBuist’s opening paragraphs: “Two neighbourhoods, separated by just five kilometresas the crow flies. They might as well be worlds apart. Between these Hamilton neigh-bourhoods, representing two ends of the spectrum, there’s a difference of 21 years inaverage age at death.” The neighbourhood on the losing end of that measure wouldrank 165th in the world for life expectancy, tied with Nepal. The finding on age atdeath is one of a list of neighbourhood disparities highlighted. Third World health outcomes as well as ThirdWorld lifespans were found in some parts of the city with entrenched poverty. The gulf in average age at deathsuggests limitations to what universal health care can accomplish and that society needs to look elsewhere foranswers to what can close the divides quantified by the Spectator’s research, which included accessing more than400,000 pieces of hospital and death data. The picture of Hamilton presented by the series, which was years in themaking, did not go unnoticed by politicians, academics and others, and its influence will be felt for some time inthe city and beyond.

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

The narrative starts onFather’s Day 2000 with policeinterviewing a toddler who says“Paint all over the walls. Mama’swall.” The toddler is Eugene andhis mother, Charlisa Clark, and her friend Pat DelSordo have been beaten to death in a Hamiltonapartment with a baseball bat. Eugene saw the after-math. The videotaped police interview with thethree-year-old who had been found wandering thestreets in his diaper is the opening of HamiltonSpectator reporter Jon Wells’s seven-part 23,000-word story, Witness, a True Crime Story. It is thestory of three killings and one killer; the families ofthe victims; the committed police work; the manwho led to the break in the case, and much more. Itis a strong narrative with details that only exhaus-tive research — which included a prison interviewwith the killer, Carl Hall — can produce. The factthe story starts with a crime committed almost 10years before publication allows Wells to tell aboutsome of the central figures over a long period oftime. Readers get to learn how young Eugene is far-ing years after that horrible Father’s Day.

Tony Fredo Memorial AwardFeature Writing (under 25,000 circulation)

20

Sponsored by: Ford of Canada

Judge: James McCarten, Senior National Editor, The Canadian Press

HEATHER RIVERSWoodstock Sentinel-Review

In the right hands, journalism isa powerful tool that can inform,enlighten, evoke strong emotionsand bring about change. Rare indeedis the story that can do all of theabove, but Heather Rivers manages to do just that inher series on a local hospice in Woodstock.

Even while dealing with the constraints of a small,resource-challenged newsroom, Rivers managed tosecure extensive opportunities to interview and get toknow some of the people at VON Sakura House, all ofwhom are in the midst of one of the most compellingstages of the human condition: preparing for death.There’s always a danger of hankie-wringer stories likethese lapsing into maudlin purple prose, but Riverskeeps her writing taught and touching, ensuring it does-n’t lose any of its power. In short, she handles one ofhumanity’s most difficult and demanding subjects withclass, consideration and style - a fact evident in thefeedback of readers, one of whom wrote of being“deeply moved” by the series, which she said “broughttears to my eyes.” Reaching even one reader in such away is indeed among the highest forms of praise.

GALEN EAGLEPeterborough Examiner

At the end of the day, the bestwriting in the world can’t compen-sate for shoddy journalism. Longbefore you can start crafting that per-fect lead, you have to put in the leg-work. No one need tell Galen Eagle that, however. It’sclear he already knows. Eagle, the PeterboroughExaminer’s crime writer, set out to land a big fish. Hewent after a former drug dealer-turned-Hells-Angels-informant, certain he would have a fascinating story totell. Eagle spent two long years trying to convinceMerv Monteith to come forward, persisting long after alesser reporter would have cut bait and headed home.His efforts were eventually rewarded when Monteithagreed, returning to a city where it was dangerous forhim to simply show his face in order to tell Eagle hisgripping, harrowing story of drugs, money, violenceand redemption. Kudos to Eagle for getting past theusual police-blotter fare and giving the readers ofPeterborough a story like few others - a rare glimpseinto the behind-the-scenes goings on in the world ofbikers, drugs and money.

Finalists

TEVIAH MOROOrillia Packet & Times

Teviah Moro’s work has caught the eyes of Ontario Newspaper Awardsjudges in the past - a fact that comes as no surprise after reading his ambitiousand compelling work on Project Umbrella Burma, an Orillia-based charitableorganization that helps Burmese refugees.

Moro travelled to the remote border town of Tae Sot, Thailand, to learnmore about the work of the charity, which is dedicated to helping the Karen -a small ethnic minority that lives in the often brutal shadow of the Burmesemilitary regime. With the help of Karen rebels, he travelled at night through the jungle so he could visita camp that the Thai military would not have allowed him to see. The visit produced a beautifully writ-ten story, rich with detail, colour and voices, about the young students who brave landmines, starvation,malaria and the military to discover more about themselves and their power to effect change. Elsewherein the series, Moro visits a clinic where a family doctor from Orillia is treating the sick and injured, andalso tackles the question of whether the Canadian International Development Agency is going to contin-ue to fund refugee relief efforts. Moro went in search of, and found, the compelling backstory to whatmany might have seen as just another boring local charity. He proves the point that even the most mun-dane stories can leap off the page if you’re willing to go the distance to bring them home.

Business Writing

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Sponsored by: Real Estate Council of Ontario

Judge: Suanne Kelman, Interim Chair, School of Journalism, Ryerson University

SONJA PUZICWindsor Star

Sonja Puzic’s series onEcumedical is first runner-upbecause it is a terrific storyabout money, crime and theOntario health-care system. Itbecomes richer with each installment; she hasdone the police’s work for them. The series is ascompelling as an episode of Law and Order,without ignoring the health-care problems thatcreate a demand for companies like EcuMedical.

CHELSEY ROMAINTimmins Daily Press

Chelsey Romain’s series onthe proposed closing of a copperand zinc smelter becomes thefocus for examining Northernanger at Ontario’s governmentand its economic policies. The series capturesboth the intense emotion generated by the issueand the opposing visions of the North’s future: asa home for industry that will support a thrivingpopulation or as a vast parkland.

Finalists

ELLEN VAN WAGENINGENWindsor Star

Ellen van Wageningen’s story leads the list because it takes a lot of workand craft to turn the financial problems of a tool, die and mould factory intoa cliffhanger. She injected real drama into the story of Platinum ToolTechnologies Inc., adding a human dimension to the impressive array offacts and figures she unearthed. She was able to show how a governmentstimulus program backfired, as its conditions led the company to decisionsthat now threaten its survival. This was far from the only story this year about a manufacturer strug-gling in a dangerously precarious market, but it is unique in its portrait of a business that is close tofailing precisely because it did everything right.

Mathew McCarthy, Waterloo Region Record,Winner, Sports Photography Over 25,000

Ontario Power Authority AwardGreen Environment Writing

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Judge: Don Gibb, Professor Emeritus, Ryerson University School of Journalism

MIKE WHITEHOUSEThe Sudbury Star

Mike Whitehouse did anexcellent job of showing theregreening of Sudbury as wellas what the future holds. Whilethe environmental recovery isremarkable in a city known more for its starklandscape and blackened hills, Whitehouse tellsus that single-species forests have failed toaddress the need for a healthier life on the forestfloor. He shows readers the future — how theplanting of “forest mats” will help spread plants,seeds, insects and micro-organisms throughoutthe forest floor. It is his detailed and visual expla-nations that make his stories easy to understandand appreciate.

MARG BRUINEMANThe Barrie Examiner

The targeting of area farm-lands for the construction ofpanels to generate solar energyhas long-term implications forlocal communities. Some farm-ers have been anxious to cash in on “farming”this new “crop,” embracing it as a good invest-ment they cannot ignore. Others lament the lossof land used to grow food such as corn and soy-beans. Marg Bruineman produced some solidhuman interest stories on both sides of the debateas well as documenting the extent of the solarpower invasion.

Finalists

JONATHAN SHERLondon Free Press

Newspapers are at their best when they grab a topic and don’t let go.This was the case with a series of articles by Jonathan Sher on the con-tentious issue of on-shore and off-shore wind farms. From August toDecember, he documented the reactions of cottagers, politicians and aca-demics as they argued over the strengths and shortcomings of one crucialaspect of Ontario’s Green Energy Act. Sher’s reporting culminated in a live-ly online chat that included Energy Minister Brad Duguid, the leader of a grassroots protest, and thenewspaper’s readers. Sher deserves credit for sticking with and focusing attention on an environmen-tal issue that not only affects his readers, but will have a major impact on the entire province.

James Bruce AwardExcellence in Coverage of Entertainment and the Arts

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons

Judge: Nick Patch, music writer, The Canadian Press

JOHN LAWNiagara Falls Review

Niagara Falls DJ RobertZimmerman (a.k.a. Deadmau5)is a Grammy-nominated risingstar of dance music, and hasthus been the subject of count-less profiles by writers around the world. But fewoffer the insight of Law’s fascinating profile.Law eschews focusing on the typical -Zimmerman’s technical prowess, or his lightning-quick ascension - by dialing in on his sweet rela-tionship with his mother, who proudly watches(and worries) as her son treks through every cor-ner of the world and dates Playboy bunnies.Articles on the demise of a Niagara Falls theatrecompany, which dissolved amid the bickering oftwo friends, and a profile of Ringo Starr are simi-larly compelling, buoyed by Law’s rock-solidwriting.

JOEL RUBINOFFWaterloo Region Record

Billy Bob Thornton’s out-burst on CBC-Radio was top ofmind for Rubinoff when he setup an interview with actress-turned-rocker Juliette Lewis.With his subsequent feature, he does a wonderfuljob of explaining that anxiety and using Lewis’sbemused reaction to provide insight into herirreverent personality, elevating his story wellbeyond the typical rock-star profile. Similarly, hispieces on Jerry Seinfeld’s woeful reality TV ven-ture, “The Marriage Ref,” and the backlashagainst Taylor Swift sparkle thanks to his uniquesense of humour and persuasive style.

Finalists

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

Wells’ rich, fully felt profiles of a blues musician and a terminally ill glasssculptor are as comprehensively detailed as they are compulsively readable.John Ellison - a long-established blues musician who never received the fameor credit he deserved - is brought to life through a series of carefully drawndetails, such as the darkened bath water his father left behind after a soak inthe tub, while Wells’ portrayal of Shirley Elford is similarly moving andevocative, leaving the reader simultaneously sad and uplifted. Though both pieces display an exhaus-tive amount of research, it’s Wells’ story-telling skill and sensitivity that allows his subjects to shine.

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Tyler Brownbridge, Windsor Star, Finalist, Spot News Photography, over 25,000

Ian McAlpine, Kingston Whig-StandardFinalist, Spot News Photography under 25,000

Mark Wanzel,Barrie Examiner,FinalistSports Photography,under 25,000

Walter J. BlackburnExcellence in Editorials, Opinion and Analysis(over 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons in memory of the London Free Press publisher, whose career spanned 47years. He died in 1983.

Judge: Kathy English, Public Editor, Toronto Star

ANNE JARVISWindsor Star

Windsor Star columnistAnne Jarvis is a voice of coolreason - when reason is calledfor. She can just as easilyexpress fiery outrage when out-rage is demanded. Her well-reported columnsprovide persuasive arguments built on solid factand astute analysis, whether she’s writing aboutthe need to restructure local health networks, thefailure of universal health care or the influence ofspecial interests in the city’s municipal election.

JOHN ROEWaterloo Region Record

Tackling issues that matter tohis community, Editorial PageEditor John Roe pushes foraction and answers from all lev-els of government. His strong,succinct editorials consistently make a difference.Whether he’s chastising local politicians forallowing taxpayer-funded perks, calling on theOntario government to come clean on its com-mitment to public transit, or demanding therelease of Ashley Smith’s prison files, Roe’swords don’t simply evoke reaction - they pro-voke results.

Finalists

CHRIS VANDER DOELENWindsor Star

Windsor Star columnist Chris Vander Doelen writes convincingly withclarity and conviction. His Page 3 column, focused primarily on the cut andthrust of local politics, has become a must-read in Windsor; his views alightning rod for public discussion. Vander Doelen pulls no punches, nomore so than in the 2010 municipal election campaign when the Star itselfbecame part of the story after a mayoralty candidate accused the paper’sopinion columnists of “bias” and complained to the Ontario Press Council. Vander Doelen refused tobe silenced by this “bizarre swerve toward the gutter” and was straight up with his readers: “For therecord, no editor or executive at the Star has ever dictated, ordered, or even hinted at any opinion theyexpected me to have or write during my years as a columnist here.”

K.J. Strachan AwardEditorials, Opinion and Analysis (under 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons

Judge: Raymond Brassard, Managing Editor, Montreal Gazette

BRUCE CORCORANChatham Daily News

No holds barred. That sums upBruce Corcoran’s style in threesubmitted editorials. With a pow-erful voice, Corcoran mocksChatham-Kent for accepting afree but terrible jingle in order to promote themunicipality. He is equally forceful in chastising thelocal health network for hiring a consultant to “sell”a deeply flawed report that would result in the clo-sure of small-town emergency rooms. But Corcoransaves his most powerful venom for eligible voterswho failed to turn out for October municipal elec-tions in Chatham-Kent. In an editorial titled Non-voters, take an embarrassing bow, he addresses theapathetic head on: “Congratulations. For those ofyou in that mass of non-voting pulp who brieflyconsidered taking part in democracy, you likelybitched that your vote wouldn’t make a differ-ence...Well, you sure as hell helped ensure that wasthe case, didn’t you?”

JOHN CHAMBERSBrantford Expositor

John Chambers voice is clear,concise and determined. He definesproblems, maps the solutions andchallenges us to do what is right.In an editorial on the victims ofRobert Pickton that the justice system marginalizedby staying the charges, Chambers ensures they notbe forgotten by listing the names of the 20 women“whose DNA was scraped from the mud ofPickton’s pig farm...” He challenges us to rethinkhow the Order of Canada is awarded, arguing that ithas strayed from its origins of rewarding those whowork tirelessly to make Canada a better place andinstead rewards those who have become “popular.”Finally, Chambers expresses anger at those whoignore laws that address cell-phone use and textingwhile driving. Arguing that stricter enforcement andmore severe punishments are needed in light of howmany fatal accidents are caused, he concludes, “It’sjust too bad you can’t legislate common sense.”

Finalists

TARA KLAGERGuelph Mercury

What strikes the reader first is the passion and underlying anger thatdrives Tara Klager’s opinions. In her own words, “Some issues are so nox-ious that reaction naturally surges to the fore and I have a struggle on myhands to find some measured way to handle it.” Such is the emotion that hasher calling for Canada to pull out of the Commonwealth Games after it’srevealed that India is using child labour to construct the games sites. Klagerexpresses her passion in a clear and precise writing style, chock full of vivid images. Listen to themusic in her reaction to NATO allies criticizing Canada’s decision to end its combat role inAfghanistan: “(NATO)...seems not to take into account Canada’s contribution over the years of bloodand sweat already soaked into the ground.” Or, “All the while, Canadians have been repatriated fromAfghan fields to their native land under flags the colour of poppies.” Pure poetry, recited throughbared teeth.

Joan May Memorial AwardColumns

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Sponsored by: Tim Hortons in memory of Joan May, a frequent WONA winner and columnist at theLondon Free Press until her death in 1964.

Judge: Gerry Arnold, Executive Editor, The Canadian Press

EARL MCRAEOttawa Sun

McRae allows his passionsand personality to flow into hiscolumns and for the readers,that’s a good thing. Witty, sensi-tive and in touch with the pulseof his readership and community, McRae’s workresonates.

PAUL BENEDETTIHamilton Spectator

Benedetti’s work, oftenbrushed with humour that isusually at his own expense, con-sistently engages the reader.What he brings to his writing isa consistent voice that carries you along effort-lessly. It is virtually a certainty that the cadenceof his writing is a powerful element of his rela-tionship with readers.

Finalists

SUSAN CLAIRMONTHamilton Spectator

Clairmont’s submission showed skillful writing and reporting, allowingthe power of the subject matter to stay in the forefront while she carefullyinterpreted the events for the reader. The level of reporting she brings to herwork is impressive and the economy of her writing style stands out in an erawhere sometimes “more” is perceived to be “better.”

The Ontario Newspaper Awards would like to thank all of ourjudges, with special thanks to The Canadian Press. Without your

dedication, these awards wouldn't be possible.

K.A. (Sandy) Baird AwardHumour Writing

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Sponsored by: Waterloo Region Record in tribute of the paper's late publisher, who served WONA formore than a decade as chairman and publisher liaison with participating papers.

JUDGE: Vinay Menon, columnist, Toronto Star

TOM MILLSThe Sault Star

When a column begins, “Iguess I should explain why Ipunched that donkey,” we knowtwo things: 1. It’s impossible tonot keep reading. 2. We are inthe presence of an unusually funny storyteller.Tom Mills has a dazzling touch with the lan-guage and he is blessed with a generous sense ofthe absurd, two essential traits for a humourwriter. Donkeys may disagree. But what do theyknow?

JOEL RUBINOFFWaterloo Region Record

Becoming a first-time dad atthe age of 50 might lead tomoments of despair. But for JoelRubinoff, it has also led tocharming humour writing. Frominterviewing his stepdaughter over the C-minusgrade she awarded him in a “daddy report card”to lamenting a bedtime ritual that involvessinging Don McLean’s “American Pie” to a soni-cally insatiable toddler, Rubinoff invites readersinto his home where the domestic foibles arealways a laughing matter.

Finalists

CHUCK BROWNGuelph Mercury

Good humour writers shine a flashlight into the mineshaft of the ordinary.Great humour writers jump in headfirst and return with comedy gold. ChuckBrown is a great humour writer. Whether he’s doling out sarcastic and utterly ter-rible advice on painting or musing about the office Christmas party or fearingbodily harm related to not buying his 11-year-old daughter a cell phone - “Youreally wouldn’t shank your dad for a phone?” - Brown uses wit, hyperbole andrelatable anecdotes that glitter and shine as we laugh.

Congratulations to all ONAaward winners from everyone

at the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

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Spot News Photography

Sponsored by: CNW Group

Judge: Moe Doiron, Staff Photographer, The Globe and Mail

Over 25,000 circulation

DAN JANISSEWindsor Star

With hundreds of motorists trapped in their cars and roads and ramps shutdown Dan Janisse of The Windsor Star took to the air to record the rescue effortsfollowing a massive snowstorm in South Western Ontario. As a result Janisse’saerial views, as well as his photos on the ground, gave readers a glimpse into no-man’s land. His enterprising skills earns him the award for Spot NewsPhotography.

PETER LEEWaterloo Region Record

Covering the funeral for slainOPP constable Vu Pham, TheRecord’s Peter Lee sensitivelycaptured a family’s grief with apoignant photo that tells thestory of shattered wife, son, brother and mother.Lee kept his distance but was clearly aware ofthe tragic story unfolding before him and com-posed his image perfectly.

TYLERBROWNBRIDGEWindsor Star

In the true spirit of spot newsTyler Brownbridge of TheWindsor Star is at the right placeat the right time when a blast offlame threatened fire fighters as they battled ablaze. Clearly the fire fighters were not the onlyones in a tight spot as Brownbridge also bravedthe dangerous conditions to capture this dramaticphoto.

Finalists

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Jack Bowman Memorial AwardSpot News Photography (under 25,000 circulation)

Sponsored by: Tim Hortons

Judge: J. Fred Kuntz, former editor-in-chief, Toronto Star; former publisher,Waterloo Region Recordand Guelph Mercury

DIANA MARTINChatham Daily News

A school bus lies toppled, its undercarriage inspected by a fire captain onBlind Fourth Line near Chatham. The driver and five children aboard escapedwith cuts and bruises, after the bus began fishtailing in the muddy road, thenswerved and flipped. Touching on the fears of parents, this simple, stark com-position makes this an arresting image.

IAN MacALPINEKingston Whig-Standard

Thousands of cigarettes litterHighway 401 near Kingston,contraband that spilled from apickup truck as it crashed androlled at the end of a high-speedpolice chase. The photographer took back roadsto the closed section of highway, then shot froman overpass.

GINO DONATOSudbury Star

Glowering through a jaggedframe of broken glass, aSudbury police officer guardsthe door to an apartment where afellow officer shot and killed aman; that man, who was wielding a knife, hadjust killed his roommate. An unusual portraitfrom a tense scene of bloodshed.

Finalists

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Feature PhotographyOver 25,000 circulation

Sponsored by: Ontario Power Authority

Judge: Chris Young, Photographer, The Canadian Press

JASON KRYKWindsor Star

Not only is Jason’s picture a visually striking image in it’s own right, aswell as technically adept in terms of composition and exposure, but it winsbecause it shows imagination and more importantly the desire to create aphotograph rather than simply make record of what was happening, which,after all, is an important component in feature photography.

Zoo assignments can be notoriously difficult as not only can the envi-ronment of a cage or enclosure present aesthetic obstacles but so does the position from where he orshe can take a picture from. The erratic and occasionally chaotic nature of the animals presents chal-lenges, that can drive photographers with less patience to distraction, so to produce an image as inter-esting as this is commendable. Jason is to be congratulated on approaching the subject with creativeendeavor and his ability to produce an interesting and evocative picture.

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MICHAEL LEAKingston Whig-Standard

What is interesting about Michael’s image is his desire to craft a picture inorder to tell a story. The juxtaposition of the soaring birds in the mural against thebody language of the man walking past them would not have been as stark had itnot been shot in a penitentiary. But given the environment Michael has composeda picture to reflect not only the subject’s feelings but has also contextualised themto help the viewer gain a betterunderstanding of the man and theplace, which demonstrates a com-mendable journalistic awareness.

Encapsulating a story with asingle image is a difficult process,as the photographer has only oneshot in which to tell the beginning,middle and end to a tale. Michael’suse of the uplifting mural setagainst the prisoner’s weary gaitcompliments each other perfectlyenough to present a compellingcontrast which tells a story in itself.

TYLER BROWNBRIDGEWindsor Star

Tyler’s picture of a youngboy cooling off in the heat is aclassic summer image. Whatmakes Tyler’s picture standoutis the techinical expertise thatthe picture demostrates. He hasshown a commendable com-mand of light to expose thewater droplets balanced againstthe boys skin tones and hasjudged his shutter speed well toillustrate the water droplets. Aswell as the excellent technicalaspect of this picture, the boy’sexpression shows the delight ofthe summer heat set against theapparent shock of the coolwater. It’s a strong and classicsummer image

Finalists

Feature PhotographyOver 25,000 circulation

Feature PhotographyCirculation under 25,000

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Sponsored by: Toronto Star

Judge: Susan Brophy Down, Managing Director, Dailies, Newspapers Canada

TONY SAXONGuelph Mercury

Deceptively simple, thismosque photo reveals centuriesof Muslim tradition within ayoung girl at prayer. The almostmonochromatic colour palette ofsaffrons and flesh tones frames the central faceperfectly. Tony chose to focus on the eye and theblurred figures of the other worshippers are per-fectly cropped so there is not too much identify-ing and distracting detail. The paper ran this inblack and white, a testament to the excellentcomposition that ensures its visual appeal eitherway.

MIKE DiBATTISTANiagara Falls Review

Patience paid off for Mikeon a hot summer day at thelake. He took his time, waitingfor just the right moment to cap-ture the contrasting modes oftransport - horsepower and sail - creating anarresting visual story. Choosing the exposuresuited to the sun-brightened water and sailboatshulls, he left the darker horse underexposed andturned it into an appealing silhouette. Like a “fishout of water” tale, this photo makes readers takea second look.

Finalists

BRIAN THOMPSONBrantford Expositor

Brian’s fresh new angle on a seasonal Hallowe’en subject makes thisphoto outstanding. Careful planning, including his use of social media tofind a family carving pumpkins and his thoughtful inside-out perspective,was what set this apart from the usual kids-and-pumpkins shot. By framingthe young faces in the triangles on the orange ground, he has elevated anenterprise photo to an artistic statement.

Sports PhotographyOver 25,000 circulation

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DAVID BEBEEWaterloo Region Record

There were several excellentjublilation-themed photos in thelist of entries this year. Bebee'sphoto stands out because hecaptures different displays ofjoy with the girls field hockey team celebrating ashootout win in a championship game. Bebeetakes a gamble by opting to focus on five playersnot directly involved in the shootout. The resultis a wonderful photo that vividly tells a feel-goodstory through the expressions and actions of thefive players.

KAZ NOVAKThe Hamilton Spectator

Novak shows one of the bestqualities a top-flight journalistcan possess - a willingness tomake one more phone call, talkto one more source, and in thiscase, shoot a few more frames. The photograph-er's decision to stay a little longer at a Sundayafternoon rodeo pays off wonderfully with hisshot of a rodeo clown unsuccessfully dodging abull. Novak's commitment to his craft wasrewarded by his editors' decision to remake A1 tofeature his ouch-inspiring shot in the Mondaynewspaper.

Finalists

MATHEW McCARTHYWaterloo Region Record

Getting a photo from the super combined skiing event into a Canadiannewspaper is no small feat, even when it's taken at the Winter Olympics andthose Games are being held in your own country. McCarthy's intelligent useof his equipment, combined with improvisation and anticipation, resulted ina dynamic, breathtaking shot of a Norwegian skier. The photographer's cre-ativity allows him to win a battle with the sun, and hence, provide Recordreaders with a gold-medal photo that put a little-known skier in a little-known sport among NorthAmericans into a Canadian newspaper.

Sponsored by: Marketwire

Judge: Steve McAllister, Managing Editor, Sports, Yahoo! Canada

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Sports PhotographyUnder 25,000 circulation

Sponsored by: Ford Canada

Judge: Randall Moore, Assistant Photo Editor, The Globe and Mail

BRIAN THOMPSONBrantford Expositor

Major league action from aminor league event. BrianThompson has extracted justthat with a photo of a minornovice player flying through theair, a fraction after shooting on net, the puck visi-ble en route to the goaltender. Superb timing,good perspective and exposure rewarded himwith Page One play.

MARK WANZELBarrie Examiner

A complex visual idea andthe technical capability to pull itoff are the sterling hallmarks ofMark Wanzel’s photo of aswimmer. Mark lifted the rou-tine assignment for a profile ofthe athlete to the realm of highart. Careful placement of anoverhead strobe to freeze the splash and goodlens selection to compress the composition land-ed this photo on A-1 the next day, justifiably so.

Finalists

TONY SAXONGuelph Mercury

Two OHL players squared off, faces taut in exertion and anticipation, asuspended fist the menacing connection between them. Fighting in hockeyis polarizing. You are either in the it’s-part-of-the-game camp, or believethat fighting has no place in the sport. Regardless of your position, it istough to ignore the impact of Tony Saxon’s photo, particularly now, whenviolence in hockey is under scrutiny unlike any other time. Tight composi-tion and frozen peak action force the viewer to mentally complete the sweep of the arm. To some dis-turbing, to others great action, an extremely compelling image whatever your stance.

Excellence in News Feature Writing

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Sponsored by: Real Estate Council of Ontario

Judge: Noreen Rasbach, The Globe and Mail

BRIAN CALDWELLWaterloo Region Record

The murder captured headlinesacross the country: Hunter Brown, a74-year-old family man, wasstabbed to death while deliveringChristmas cards to neighbours. Infact, Brown was stabbed 40 times in the face and headwith a foot-long hunting knife brandished by Trevor LaPierre, a troubled 22-year-old stranger.

Caldwell used testimony from a preliminary hearinghe attended, court documents, La Pierre’s online journaland interviews with family to put together a fascinatingand detailed look into La Pierre’s mental state, aboutwhich there was a lot of controversy. La Pierre’s par-ents agonized over their son and his deteriorating men-tal health, with his periodic trips into the mental-healthsystem. After his arrest, La Pierre was given a psychi-atric assessment that stunned his lawyers - the expertsaid that he was not mentally ill at all, but angry andalienated, and that he faked or embellished symptomsof extreme detachment.

Caldwell’s well-paced and compelling read looksat the evidence of both points of view and the readercomes to a disturbing conclusion: He may have killedBrown but no one really knows why.

MIKE ADLERJILLIAN FOLLERTROB O'FLANAGANJOAN WALTERSMetroland Media Joint ProjectHamilton SpectatorGuelph MercuryWaterloo Region Record

This is the second year in a row that a MetrolandMedia joint project has been recognized for excellencein news feature writing, and deservedly so. This year’stopic is the long-term care crisis, and it’s a doozy. Theseries documents a system that is so overburdened thatit’s virtually paralyzed - and impossible for families tonavigate. It looks at what it is like to be in long-termcare, from the point of view of residents and front-lineworkers. Even worse are the families who are trying toget their loved ones a spot, but are forced to fend forthemselves while being left on waiting lists. The seriestracks down never-seen-before numbers and offers up anumber of personal and, frankly, anguishing examples.You can’t help, after reading it, to be fearful for thefuture. Metroland is to be commended for taking astory that touches every Ontario community and delv-ing in deep, putting together an investigative team anddedicating resources to this important and worthy proj-ect.

Finalists

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

What would possess a police officer in his early 40s to leave the peace and securi-ty of London, Ont., to join the fight in war-ravaged Afghanistan? In “Pete Goes toWar,” reporter Jon Wells introduces us to his close friend Capt. Pete Reintjes, who didjust that. The answer, as Wells points out, is both complicated and simple - Petewants to serve his country, loves soldiering and helping others, and believes in theAfghan mission. Also: “I think at his core Pete is a true believer - in heroes, in theromance and reward of swashbuckling adventures, even those where human limits arepushed to the brink and where painful death is a distinct possibility.”

Part profile, part memoir, this piece is beautifully written, with the right mix of nostalgic reflection and detailsof the brutal reality of the front, courtesy of Pete’s e-mails.

When we learn Pete is due to come home in a few weeks, we feel overwhelming relief that he just might sur-vive Afghanistan. When, in the end, he decides to stay until the end of the mission, our hearts break. It just showshow brilliantly Wells has done his job.

Bill McGrath AwardLayout

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Sponsored by: Real Estate Council of Ontario in honour of the London Free Press retired art director

Judge: Mary-Deanne Shears, Former Managing Editor, Toronto Star; Board Member, CanadianJournalists for Free Expression

WINDSOR STARFrom its poignant front page to its eye-candy

section fronts The Windsor Star produced aweekend paper designed to draw in its readers,whatever the topic. Art is played boldly to makeeach section an inviting look and read.

BARRIE EXAMINERThe Examiner set out to capture the election-

night results of a “changing political tide” anddid just that with a combination of strong photosand graphics that captured the drama of an elec-tion described as electric. And its Sports sectionwas a real treat with the main art showing a veryhappy young boy at a ski swap. A refreshingchange of pace.

Finalists

BRANTFORD EXPOSITORThe Expositor zeroed in on a very contentious local issue - major downtown expropriation and

demolition — to produce a supplement that documented the history of a city street and EACH of the41 targeted buildings. The result: a layout that worked seamlessly with the reporter’s words to conveyhistory and significance and dramatically helped tell a story of bygone days, businesses, people andplace. The supplement, “A WALK ON THE SOUTH SIDE,” almost overflows with information butits layout pulls the reader in to a city’s disappearing past. Surely a keepsake for readers who careabout their local community.

John E. Motz Memorial AwardDesign and Graphics (over 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Waterloo Region Record as a memorial to its publisher for 29 years, who died Dec. 23,1975.

Judge: Patti Tasko, Managing Editor, Pagemasters, North America

TANIA PRAEGWaterloo Region Record

Praeg shows an impressiverange in her work. Her pagesvary in tone and style, rangingfrom an eye-popping page builtaround an unusual photo on aWorld Cup page, to the retro feel created by ablack and white photo illustrating a story on the50th anniversary of the 401. A third page suc-cessfully pulls off a tricky challenge: incorporat-ing a large close-up of a speedskater into themasthead in a distinctive way.

MARK STEWARTWindsor Star

Is it possible to have toomuch red and gold on a pageabout Canada’s record wins atthe Olympics? Using organiza-tion and scale, Stewart showshow to get away with it with a design that clever-ly combines photos of no less than 19 gold-win-ning athletes. Other Games-focused pagesdemonstrate the same eye for balanced designand pleasing integration of content.

Finalists

BRAD NEEDHAMWaterloo Region Record

Needham’s work is varied, original and evocative of its subject matter.He makes great use of design imagery beyond photos to bring a uniquenessto his pages that draws the reader in. His inspired integration of an originalconcept drawing on a page about the making of a sculpture of OscarPeterson, combined with photos of the sculpture as it took shape, tells theentire story without words.

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Enterprise/Investigative Reporting

Sponsored by: Marketwire

Judge: Jim Bronskill, Reporter, The Canadian Press / Sessional lecturer, Carleton University School ofJournalism and Communication

JEFF OUTHITWaterloo Region Record

Jeff Outhit’s original andwell-conceived series on whatbothers people about busesmakes excellent use of the com-plaints data he obtained fromthe Grand River Transit authority. What easilycould have been a dry dissertation of jumblednumbers becomes an engaging three-part analysisof rider rancour looking at common complaints,flared tempers and commuter injuries. Interviewswith a range of players — from frustrated trav-ellers to harried drivers — unravel the dynamicsat work behind the figures. Vivid examples andnicely executed graphics help tell a story of widepublic interest.

ERICA BAJERChatham Daily News

Erica Bajer unearths the eye-opening story of a serious carcrash caused by a drunk driverthat would otherwise haveescaped public attention.Beginning with a tip about the accident that lefttwo people with injuries and the guilty driverwith a light sentence, she exposes shoddy policework through key interviews and court tran-scripts. In shining a light on the troubling caseand the discipline quietly meted out to an officer,the piece succeeds in holding the police serviceaccountable.

Finalists

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

Jon Wells’ probing story of a 28-year-old cold case exemplifies the traitsthat mark the finest enterprise journalism — the desire to piece together animportant puzzle of public interest, dogged determination, attention to detailand masterly storytelling. The descriptive colour, well-chosen quotes andartful writing propel the narrative along in murder-mystery fashion withoutlosing sight of the story’s focus: the haunting legacy of Trisha Roach’s saddemise.

John E. Motz Memorial AwardDesign and Graphics (under 25,000 circulation)

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Sponsored by: Waterloo Region Record as a memorial to its publisher for 29 years, who died Dec. 23,1975.

Judge: Richard Hoffman, Public Affairs Officer, Thames Valley District School Board

Finalists

SHERRI LAVIGNESault Star

Sherri’s pages stand out for their bold, uninhibited use of colour, typog-raphy and illustration. She has taken every opportunity to visually leveragethe content to create lively and colourful layouts that hold reader's attention.For a feature about a retreat for aboriginal women, Sherri skillfully domi-nates the page with the image of a First Nation woman to create a sense ofdignity and calm. For a story about Northern forest firefighters, she uses herskill as an illustrator to combine photography and typography to create an eye-catching focal point.

BRAD NEEDHAM, DIANE SHANTZGuelph Mercury

Brad and Diane’s entry continues the Mercury's tradition ofstrong page design and sophisticated application of colour, type,photography and illustration. These pages also illustrate beauti-fully the axiom that, sometimes, less is more. A close-croppedphoto of a a spoon and a salt shaker are all that were needed toillustrate a full page lifestyle feature on sodium in our diets.Likewise, you can almost feel the stubble on the cartoon legs Diane created to illustrate a story aboutwomen who don't shave their legs.

Brad Needham Diane Shantz

BRIAN RODNICK, IAN SHANTZ, ED JONESBarrie Examiner

All three pages in this entry focus on thesacrifices Canadian military men andwomen have made for their country.Sometimes, the best design allows thewords and photos to speak for themselves.There's nothing quite as solemn as the portraits of two recently fallen soldiers surrounded by columns oftype containing the names of their dead comrades. There’s also nothing quite as powerful as the photo-graphs of grief-stricken family members and crowds of Canadians expressing our collective support andsympathy.

Ian ShantzBrian Rodnick Ed Jones

Municipal Affairs ReportingOver 25,000 circulation

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Sponsored by: The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

Judge: John Size, Assignment Editor, Yahoo! Canada

EMMA REILLYHamilton Spectator

Emma Reilly demonstratedstrong reporting and good newsinstinct when she investigatedfinancial mismanagement at thecity’s “arms-length” entertainmentagency revealing a $7.1-million deficit, stories thatprompted the city to launch an investigation.

Reilly tackled the difficult subject of the conflictsurrounding the Pan Am debate in the city, reportingas the issue spiked between the city and the CFL’sHamilton Tiger Cats. She handled the ever-changingstory with confidence, knowledge and detail forreaders hungry for every new twist and turn. Alsoimpressive was the fast turnaround of a story onmunicipal managers “snooping’ into employees’ per-sonal information through a survey asking suchquestions as sexual orientation, hobbies and habits,all at cost of $80,000. Everyday stories good munic-ipal reporters need to churn out to serve readerswell.

JON WELLSHamilton Spectator

One thing Jon Wells does well iswrite stories that are impossible toput down. Wells is a born storytellerwho captivates readers with his narra-tive. One such story was a profiletitled, “Bob’s your mayor,” aninformative piece about Hamilton’s new mayor, BobBratina. Using information gathered election night,interviews with Bratina and those around him, includ-ing family, Wells crafts a balanced story that is bothbiography and analysis to offer readers an inside peekat the man, his history and his personality. He poses thequestion: Who will sit as Hamilton’s mayor, the firesidechat man or the flame thrower? It’s one of the best pro-files I’ve read in a while.

Wells was also assigned to cover the “big three” orthe “Tri Grande” candidates for mayor, going muchdeeper than simply following them around at candi-dates’ meetings. Instead Wells hits the streets to talk topeople in beauty salons, coffee shops and shoppingcentres. Back-to-the-streets journalism that makes read-ers believe they are part of the story. Wells alsodeserves credit for his coverage of the controversial sta-dium deal between the city and the Hamilton Tiger Catsrevolving around the Pan Am games. He captured thehistory-making events with solid reporting that keptreaders up-to-date as the story unfolded.

Finalists

JEFF OUTHITWaterloo Region Record

There’s nothing a university city dislikes more than bad publicity about itsstudents, but that’s exactly what Jeff Outhit delivered to readers who deserved toknow how their police service was handling complaints and what was beingdone by council to make the city safer and more peaceful. Outhit perseveredwhile winding his way through the red tape of the system using a freedom ofinformation request challenge over three years and analyzing more than 500,000police dispatch records, finding evidence of students behaving badly in a trou-bled student neighbourhood. The result was a packed Waterloo council chambers that pushed council tolaunch a planning review in late 2010. Outhit struck again learning taxpayers paid $1.4 million to payincome taxes owed by municipal employees for parking perks sparking outrage amongst taxpayers, Theembattled council tried to “explain” itself to the public through an advertising campaign but ultimatelycapitulated and pledged to end the practice of taxpayer-paid parking for city workers. As the municipalelection approached, Outhit decided to take a look at rising city payrolls and compare them against the con-stant hiking of property taxes. The comparison Outhit provided was repeatedly used by candidates duringelection debates. Outhit demonstrated strong reporting, writing and analytical skills to educate and activatethe community. Solid municipal journalism and many hours of hard work earned this award.

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Multimedia Journalism

Sponsored by: The Ontario Power Authority

Judge: Gregory Bonnell, Ontario News Editor, The Canadian Press

VINCENT BALLBrantford Expositor

When word came that a newsurgical technique was beingused at Brantford GeneralHospital reporter Vincent Balljumped at the opportunity to pro-duce a truly captivating story. Gaining access tothe operating room, Ball captured both on videoand in print a fascinating knee-replacement tech-nique.

BILL HENRYOwen Sound Sun Times

Celtic music in Cuba? BillHenry instinctively knew thisunlikely pairing would make fora winning story, and set out onhis vacation time to follow localCeltic musicians on a musical journey in Havana.The print story, photos and slide slow (completewith music) captured a vibrant exchange of cul-tures.

Finalists

ELLIOTT FERGUSONWoodstock Sentinel-Review

When disaster struck Haiti the world mobilized to help the impoverishedisland nation. Although the disaster was almost 4,000 kilometres away,Ferguson brought the story home to Woodstock readers through Oxford-based aid agency Mission to Haiti Canada. Three months later, Fergusonembarked on an ambitious journey to the stricken country with the group,chronicling the trip with words, still images, and video. The result is trulymoving - a multimedia report that captures the anguish and hope of the Haitian people.

TYLER KULASarnia Observer

When four-year-old IssacWatters fell from a third-floorapartment window and crackedhis spine the people of Sarniagasped in horror. Showing theresilience of body that only children can posses,Issac was up and playing, albeit with a 20-poundhalo ring to stabilize his spine, just one weeklater. Tyler Kula visited Issac and his mother attheir apartment and captured in print, photos andvideo moving images of the boy's naive fortitude.

Municipal Affairs ReportingUnder 25,000 circulation

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Sponsored by: The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

Judge: Jim Poling Sr., Former Vice President, Editorial of Canadian Press

HUGO RODRIGUESWoodstock Sentinel-Review

An anonymous source tippedHugo Rodrigues about an illegalcredit card use by a county politi-cian. Rodrigues used the munici-pal FOI law to get the politician’s monthly state-ment for the county-issued credit card. He found$780 in charges from a strip club in Myrtle Beachand confirmed details through phone calls to NorthCarolina. Confronted by the Sentinel-Review, thepolitician was less than truthful. He said he washaving troubles with his personal card, so used thecounty one, despite knowing that personal chargeson the county card are strictly forbidden. He said heimmediately disclosed the personal use and wasinvoiced for the charges. That was in May, but thereimbursement was not made until July, in fact onthe exact day he was interviewed by the Sentinel-Review. The politician was defeated in the Oct. 25municipal election.

BRENDAN WEDLEYPeterborough Examiner

Sources developed over sever-al years on the City Hall beathelped Brendan Wedley to protectthe public’s right to know whattheir elected officials were up to.Wedley reported that the new city council held aclosed meeting soon after its election and discussedsome matters of public interest. The new mayor,some councillors and city staff said the meeting wassimply an administrative session - an orientationmeeting. However, Wedley reported that councilcommittee appointments and hiring for the mayor’soffice were discussed at the meeting. Later, themayor’s campaign manager was hired as an execu-tive assistant. Also, a source tipped Wedley thatanother executive assistant was fired and replacedby a person who also served on the mayor’s cam-paign. Wedley’s work served notice to the newcouncil that the Examiner is there to ensure that thepublic is informed about business conducted by itselected officials.

Finalists

GEORGE MATHEWSON,SHAWN JEFFORDSSarnia Observer

Persistent sniffing and digging allowed The Sarnia Observerto reveal that the Walpole Island First Nation band council lost$670,000 of its people’s money through bad investments.

Reporter Shawn Jeffords and Senior News Editor GeorgeMathewson collected more than 1,000 pages of contracts, emails, council minutes and correspondencerevealing suspicious business dealings in the United States. The band council had paid out largeamounts of money to a Washington-area business that promised huge returns on green energy invest-ments, including electric cars. No returns were realized. When the Observer began writing about thescandal, the band officials brought in a shredding company to destroy documents. Walpole residentsdemanded an investigation, and the Ontario Provincial Police anti-rackets group was asked to lookinto the losses. Senior band officials admitted the losses but said there had been no wrongdoing. Thelost money came from Walpole’s Casino Rama account, which banks Rama revenues shared by 134Ontario First Nations. The Observer’s investigative work showed once again the troubles governingbodies get themselves into when they do not conduct the people’s business with total transparency.

GEORGEMATHEWSON

SHAWNJEFFORDS

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Online Multimedia Special Project

Sponsored by: The Hamilton Spectator

Judge: Derek Chezzi, Managing Editor, Yahoo! Canada

THE WINDSOR STAR"2010 Municipal Election"

The Windsor Star’s comprehensive coverageof the city’s 2010 municipal election includes alive chat execution that creates a rich experiencefor participants, lots of video content, ward pro-files, a dense resource center of voter tools col-lected from off-site sources, and ongoing cover-age during the campaign and on election night.

SARNIA OBSERVER"Summer Life in Sarnia"

A fun series of articles and video blogs thatoffer a refreshing take on coverage of activitiesthat mark summer life in Sarnia. The enthusiasm,humour and first-person accounts by the reportersadd a breath of fresh air to the coverage.

Finalists

HAMILTON SPECTATOR"The James Street Project"

Of all the submissions to the Online Multimedia Special Project category, The Hamilton Spectatorstands out for its innovation in what might be called “experiential reporting.” The James Street proj-ect offers all residents of Hamilton (Spectator readers and non-readers alike) an opportunity to inter-act with their city through text, historical images, maps and video via their smartphone. While othernewspapers have offered neighbourhood tours on their sites, the Spectator’s is unique in an executionthat lifts it off the page and computer screen, turning this into a rich, living experience that takes par-ticipants out of their homes and into the environment where the stories are being shaped. The use ofQR code technology allows the Spectator to create a series of stories that connects people with infor-mation about the places they are standing at that very moment on the streets of Hamilton. Blend anewsroom’s ability to find quality sources and tell compelling stories in a variety of forms with thisnew technology, and you have the recipe for a winner.

David Bebee, Waterloo Region RecordFinalistSports Photography over 25,000

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Online Photography

Sponsored by: The Toronto Star

Judge: E. Brian Clark, former photo editor, Waterloo Region Record

NICK BRANCACCIOWindsor Star

Nick Brancaccio’s photos ofa deer rescue on the shores ofLake Erie on New Year’s Evewere published on the WindsorStar’s web site on January 1, afull day before the newsprint version wouldappear. This brought the drama of the life anddeath struggle to readers in a timely manner.

MATHEW McCARTHYWaterloo Region Record

Mat McCarthy of theWaterloo Region Record pro-duced an intimate slide showfollowing a Municipal BylawOfficer as she patrolled theparking lots of downtown Kitchener. Combininga keen eye for photo composition with a com-mentary by the officer, McCarthy captured theday to day experiences as she ticketed parkingviolators and interacted with downtown regulars.

Finalists

BILL HENRYOwen Sound Sun Times

Online photography often includes additional elements, including a selec-tion of multiple photos as well as production techniques including fades andsound. These work together to provide information to the viewer beyond asingle photo but the impact of the photos is still the prime factor in judging.The winner, Bill Henry of the Owen Sound Sun Times, combined a series ofvery strong photos of the Holstein Rodeo with a live commentary by partici-pants to tell the story of the rodeo. The photos would be winners on their own, but combined with sound, they captured the action of the day.

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Online Video Production

Sponsored by: Real Estate Council of Ontario

Judge: Angela Pacienza, Director of Online News, The Canadian Press

ROBERT WILSONWaterloo Region Record

This video introduces us toMeaghan Sheppard, a remark-able young girl with congenitallimb deficiency, meaning shehas no hands or feet. The videotakes the viewer through a day in Meaghan’s life,from her breakfast routine to school and backhome again. Wilson did a great job editing thepiece together, using Meaghan as the narrator ofthe video. There are terrific shots that really illus-trate what life is like for this young woman.

MELISSA TAITWaterloo Region Record

There’s some great camerawork in this video about a manattempting to climb the sevensummits, the seven tallest peakson each continent. Tait managesto capture the feel of rock climbing using severaltechniques. She had the subject attach a camerato his head allowing for some great views 25metres off the ground. Tait herself learned somebasic rock climbing skills so she could get inclose to where he would be climbing.

Finalists

DOUG HEMPSTEADOttawa Sun

Hempstead sat in a sweltering car for 20 minutes last summer to demon-strate just how extreme a heat wave can be on the human body. Supervisedby a paramedic, the video takes viewers through the various stages along theway to heat stroke. The video, a companion piece to his print story, is enter-taining and informative. A camera stationed on the dashboard helps conveyjust how much he was sweating. There’s a fun raw quality to the videothanks to Hempstead’s off-the-cuff (and likely heat induced) commentary.

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