Gannett honors work of Ohio media group, Gazette

Apr. 17, 2011, Chillicothe Gazette

The Media Network of Central Ohio and the Chillicothe Gazette won three Best of Gannett honors for 2010, including national first-place honors in two of eight categories, the Gannett Co. announced this week.

MNCO, which includes nine other daily newspapers and websites, won first-place honors in digital journalism for its continuing online and mobile coverage of breaking weather stories and high school sports scores using live feeds of updated information at ChillicotheGazette.com/storms and Chillicothe Gazette.com/hss.

“These approaches clearly have helped Central Ohio residents stay informed about severe weather and get the latest on high schools sports,” judges wrote.

Enterprise and Data Reporter Russ Zimmer also won the top honor for beat reporting for database reporting on topics such as an analysis of anticipated tax increases, progress on bridge inspections in the state and ticketing trends on speeders driving 100 mph or more.

“It is clear that Russ Zimmer knows how to use database work to bring readers and online users extensive information on various topics,” judges wrote. “His stories were clearly written, understandable, interesting and informative.”

MNCO placed second in the Public Service and Watchdog Journalism category for articles examining the pension systems in local governments and school districts in Ohio. The systems’ policies result in some public employers paying all or most of their employees’ retirement contributions, a practice that pads employees’ pensions at taxpayers’ expense. Reporters from all 10 MNCO sites, including the Gazette, contributed to the project researched by Enterprise and Data Reporter Jessica Alaimo.

“The Central Ohio newspapers did a terrific job of taking a complex pension issue and showing how taxpayers were footing extra dollars, in many cases resulting in no retirement contribution payments by employers,” the judges wrote. “The articles were strengthened by helpful graphics and excellent localization and online supplements.”

MNCO’s honors were in Division III for Gannett’s smaller community sites. The contest is judged by non-Gannett editors and journalists.

Separately, MNCO Online and Audience Development Editor Len LaCara, who played a key role in all of the Best of Gannett honors, was recognized recently as a Gannett News MVP for his work in 2010, including assisting in the development of new websites. LaCara supervises Zimmer’s and Alaimo’s work, along with content on MNCO’s Web sites.