GREENFIELD — The Daily Reporter staff won 15 awards at the Hoosier State Press Association’s annual awards program Saturday.
Editor Noelle Steele won first place for best profile feature for “Fighting for Katie,” a story about a local pastor, Danny Curry, who donated a kidney to his young daughter, Katie, after her kidneys began to fail in 2014. As the Currys went through a harrowing procedure aimed at saving Katie’s life, the community rallied around them in support. Today, after a successful transplant, Katie is happy and healthy.
Former sports reporter Jim Ayello took home a first-place award for best sport feature for his series, “Tales of Tink.” Gene “Tink” O’Neal, an Eden High school basketball legend, is believed to be the first man in Hancock County history to score 1,000 points. In this two-part series, the Daily Reporter invited O’Neal of Wilkinson to recall his glory days, which culminated with playing for one year with the Butler Bulldogs.
The Daily Reporter also won first-place awards for best business section and best newspaper design.
Staff also won a number of other awards:
Best news coverage with no deadline pressure, third place — Noelle Steele
Headline writing, third place — Staff
Best general news photo, second place — Tom Russo
Best sports action photo, third place — Tom Russo
Best multiple picture group, second place — Tom Russo
Best editorial page, second place — Staff
Best use of graphics, second place — Staff
Best sports section, second place — Staff
Best special section, second and third places — Staff
General excellence, second place — Staff
