The Vindicator will receive 15 awards in this year’s statewide Associated Press Media Editors awards, the APME announced Tuesday.

The awards in actual order of finish — first, second and third places — will be announced later along with the General Excellence, Hall of Fame, Rising Star and First Amendment winners. The awards will be announced at a virtual event planned for later this spring.

More than 50 daily newspapers in Ohio submitted 1,418 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2020.

Entries for this newspaper’s division were judged by editors from The Grand Haven Tribune in Michigan.

Reporter Renee Fox, photographer R. Michael Semple and sports writer Joe Simon each will take home two awards. Fox is a finalist in the Best Explanatory Reporting category for her series titled “Poverty in our Valley,” as well as in the Best Enterprise Reporting category for her stories titled “Hospital Leaves Void in Neighborhood.”

Semple is a finalist in the Best News Photo category for a photo he took at a car crash titled, “Forgot To Stop.” He also is a finalist in the Best Feature Photo category for a photo shot at last fall’s local visit by Donald Trump Jr., titled “Look Up and Smile.”

Simon is a finalist in two sports coverage categories, one for Best Sports Columnist and one for Best Sports Writer. Those entries were judged on a body of work.

The newspaper staff will take home two of three awards in the Best Spot News coverage category. Reporter Ashley Fox is a finalist for her coverage of the shooting death of a Struthers boy, 4. And the newspaper staff will be honored for its coverage of former Warren police officer Noah Linnen’s false claim to be a victim of a shooting and his eventual arrest. The entry was titled, “Warren Officer Fired, Charged.”

Page designer Patrick Litowitz is a finalist for Best Headline Writer. Editor Brenda J. Linert is a finalist for the Best Editorial Writer category. Features Editor Burton Cole is a finalist as Best Feature Writer.

Freelance photographer David Dermer is a finalist for his sports photo titled “Celebration.”

Former page designer Laura McDonough is a finalist for Best Graphics Artist.

The newspaper’s sports section is a finalist for Best Daily Sports Section. And the newspaper’s production of a Twenty Under 20 contest and magazine also is a finalist for Best Public Service.

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