Two Times Review Media Group staffers earned first-place awards at the New York Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, leading a strong showing for the parent company of The Suffolk Times.
Ambrose Clancy, the editor of the Shelter Island Reporter since 2012, was named “Writer of the Year” during the three-day event held Thursday through Saturday in Saratoga Springs.
Judged by members of another press association, the contest drew more than 3,000 entries from 154 newspapers across New York State, with awards presented in 68 categories. Most categories are divided into circulation-based divisions, with winners selected within each group.
Mr. Clancy’s submissions included a profile of a bayman; an in-depth look at the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants and its effect on Shelter Islanders;a column on obituaries; a report on the unsolved Island homicide of Rev. Paul Wancura; and a feature on Animal Control Officer Jenny Zahler’s efforts to bringPablo the Peacockback home.
The “Writer of the Year” winner is selected from entries across all circulation divisions.
“This is one of the most coveted awards and is incredibly well-deserved,” said TRMG publisher Andrew Olsen, whose publications also include theRiverhead News-Review,along with lifestyle magazinesNorthforkerandSouthforker.
Ms. Zavatto, editor-in-chief of the lifestyle brands, received first place in the feature writing category for astory on the Old Mill. Northforker also took second place forbest magazine cover for its Riverhead Raceway issue.
Former Reporter Amanda Olsen earned second place for a feature story aboutthe Long Island Oyster Growers Associationthat appeared in Northforker.
Honors included a third-place award in online breaking news for TRMG digital editor Angela Colangelo, who captured images, video and wrote up a full story whena common cuckoo bird native to Africa, Asia and Europe landed on the East End.
Judge’s comments for the win highlighted that it was “an excellent piece of digital storytelling that reminds us that not every breaking news story is a crisis.”
Source: The Suffolk Times
