Hazelwood earns two Associated Press first-place awards

COLUMBUS — Three Ogden Newspapers, including the Norwalk Reflector, were recognized this past weekend for work deemed the best in Ohio journalism. The Norwalk Reflector, Sandusky Register and the Findlay Courier received more than two dozen awards during Sunday's Ohio Associated Press Media Editors (APME) awards ceremony. The organization sponsors the annual journalism contest and works year-round to improve journalism in the state of Ohio. The papers are among five newspapers in northwest Ohio owned by Ogden Newspapers, which also includes the Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune and the Fostoria Review-Times. Reflector sports editor Mark Hazelwood earned first place for Best Sports Writer and Best Sports Feature Writer, respectively. Among his 85 writing awards in his 18 years, Hazelwood has been honored with a first-place award from the AP 11 times. "It's great to see the work of our staffs of dedicated reporters and editors honored by the Ohio APME," Register executive editor Matt Westerhold said. "Our newspapers, every day, bring top-quality reporting to our local communities and we're pleased to receive recognition for that work." Westerhold was elected president of the Ohio APME for 2023-24. Here is a roundup of the awards received. Awards were given to first-, second- and third-place winners in each category across five divisions based on circulation: NORWALK REFLECTOR Best Sports Feature Writer • Mark Hazelwood, first place Best Sports Writer • Mark Hazelwood, first place Best Enterprise Reporting • Mike Magnuson, third place SANDUSKY REGISTER General excellence • The Register won first place in the General Excellence category — an award recognizing the best newspaper in its division — which is determined based on the number of awards received and the final finishes in each category. The paper has received the first-place award 12 times in the past 15 years. Best Headline Writer • Andy Ouriel, first place Best Business Writer • Andy Ouriel, third place Best Columnist • Andy Ouriel, first place Best Sports Columnist • Billy Heyen, third place Best Sports Feature Writer • Billy Heyen, second place • Brian Kollars, third place Best Sports Writer • Billy Heyen, first place • Brian Kollars, second place Best Photographer • Erin Caldwell, second place Best Sports Enterprise Story • Billy Heyen, second place and third place Best Sports Special Section • Sandusky Register, second place Best Daily Sports Section • Sandusky Register, first place Best Illustration or Informational Graphic • Tim Kaczor, first place Best News Photo • Erin Caldwell, third place Best Photo Story • Erin Caldwell, first and second place Best Public Service • Angela LaRosa, first place • Andy Ouriel, second place Best Spot News Coverage • Caitlin Nearhood, third place Best Investigative Reporting • Matt Westerhold, first place • Angela LaRosa, third place Best Full Page Design • Tim Kaczor, second and third place THE FINDLAY COURIER Best Columnist • Zach Baker, second place Best Sports Writer • Dave Hanneman, second place Best Feature Photo • Leah Alsept, first place Best Public Service • Angela LaRosa, third place Best Investigative Reporting • Denise Grant, third place