Nevada Appeal news staff takes honors in national competition

The Nevada Appeal editorial staff recently won six awards in the Suburban Newspapers of America 2010 editorial contest.

Reporters Sandi Hoover and Brian Duggan won first place in the best continuing coverage category for their work on the City Center downtown redevelopment project.

"Sandi and Brian have spent countless hours over the past year and a half researching this complex proposal for a public/private partnership, so it is gratifying to see that their hard work has been nationally recognized," said Nevada Appeal Publisher Niki Gladys.

"We consider Sandi's institutional knowledge of Carson City and city government issues to be a real asset in piecing together the many aspects of this proposal, while Brian's insight into the business concerns behind the project have provided another perspective," she said.

Duggan also won second place in the best feature category for his story about local farmers who grow and supply food locally.

The business reporter also took honorable mention honors for in the best feature series category for "Meet Your Merchant."

"Meet Your Merchant" is featured every Thursday in the Nevada Appeal. The series highlights the many great places to shop in the Carson City area, keeping dollars in the community and contributing to a healthy local economy.

"During these economically challenging times, we recognize the importance of supporting our business community," Gladys said. "The Nevada Appeal is committed to this goal, and we're proud of Brian's achievements in helping us continue to further that goal."

Education reporter Teri Vance won third place in the best coverage of local education and school district issues. Vance also won honorable mention in the feature category for her story about Will Keating's horse Michelob, who was believed to be about 45 years old in July 2010.

"Education is an area of news coverage we've revitalized in the past few years, because we understand that education is a vital part of a healthy community," Gladys said. "We appreciate Teri's dedication to shining a light on all the accomplishments of both teachers and students in our schools, and tracking issues of importance. She is also a gifted feature writer."

Crime reporter F. T. Norton won honorable mention in the best breaking news category for her story about the sentencing of Victor Rodriguez, who murdered Rene Angulo and shot good Samaritan Wayne Nash on Mother's Day 2009.

"We feel very fortunate to have one of the best cops-and-courts reporters in Northern Nevada on our staff, and appreciate her talent for telling sometimes tragic stories with great sensitivity," Gladys said.g