BJ #1 daily in Ohio; racks up many other awards

The Press Club of Cleveland named the Akron Beacon Journal the best large daily newspaper in Ohio.

Elaine Guregian, former culture reporter at the BJ, had a major role in Northeast Ohio Medical University’s 2^nd place award for Best Trade Publication in Ohio for NeoMed's Ignite Magazine. 

Elaine is assistant public relations and marketing director at NeoMed in Rootstown. Previously, she was Development Officer for Corporate and Foundation Relations with the Summa Foundation.

The Beacon Journal and its staff received 29 awards — 12 for first place.

Edna Jakubowski received a Best in Ohio first-place award for page design. 

Other first-place winners were reporters Stephanie Warsmith, Rick Armon, Marla Ridenour, Clint O’Connor, Doug Livingston, Craig Webb, Nate Ulrich and Theresa Cottom. 

Photographers Phil Masturzo and Karen Schiely got first-place awards along with artist Rick Steinhauser.

The Beacon Journal’s Ohio.com was named the second-best newspaper website in Ohio.

Here is a list of the Beacon Journal winners:

Akron Beacon Journal — Best in Ohio: Daily newspaper, first place.

Edna Jakubowski — Best in Ohio: Page design, first place.

Bob Dyer — Best in Ohio: Essay writing, second place.

Michael Douglas — Best in Ohio: Editorial, third place.

Stephanie Warsmith, Rick Armon, breaking news, first place — Seven die in Akron house fire.

Marla Ridenour, obituary, first place — Legendary coach Ara Parseghian passes into eternity.

Phil Masturzo, studio photography, first place — Butternut squash soup.

Clint O’Connor, reviews/criticism, first place — Blade Runner 2019.

Doug Livingston, general news, first place — Call to arms.

Rick Steinhauser, illustration, first place — Bob Dylan.

Craig Webb, arts and entertainment, first place — Disc Dog league.

Nate Ulrich, sports column, first place — Failed trade bolsters Hue Jackson’s case.

Doug Livingston, Theresa Cottom, analysis, first place — Opioid epidemic: Party politics stymie resolutions.

Karen Schiely, general news photography, first place — Changed forever.

Betty Lin-Fisher, business columns, second place — Vintage tire ads preyed on concerns of motorists.

Malcolm X Abram, obituary, second place — Musician Ralph Carney.

Phil Masturzo, portrait photography, second place — Second chance.

Staff, breaking news, second place — Summa leaders to resign posts.

Amanda Garrett, Doug Livingston, Stephanie Warsmith, ongoing breaking news, second place — Police chief resigns.

Malcolm X Abram, arts and entertainment, second place — Himalayan music academy.

Clint O’Connor, personality profile, second place — Fathers, sons and “Field of Dreams.”

Mark Turner, single page design, second place — White in America.

Doug Livingston, public service, second place — Tent city.

Darrin Werbeck, Deanna Stevens, Dan Kadar, newspaper website, second place — Ohio.com.

Bob Dyer, single essay, third place — Stanley Ford case is not about police chief.

Edna Jakubowski, single page design, third place — Escape room.

Betty Lin-Fisher, consecutive days same topic, third place — Summa Health System.

Craig Webb, arts and entertainment, third place — Cleveland Orchestra has to fine tune.

Michael Douglas, single editorial, third place — Judge Adams and his “Dangerous Work.”

Press Club members residing outside Ohio made the selections.