Ohio broadcasters win AP awards

The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters honored several local journalists at the annual awards banquet held Sunday in Columbus. In addition, the late Tom Holden of WKBN-TV (27), Youngstown, was inducted in the Ohio AP Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The longtime anchor died in 2005 after more than 30 years at the station.

In television, WTOV-TV (9) in Steubenville came up with a couple of big wins among smaller market stations. The NBC affiliate was named “Outstanding News Operation,” “Outstanding Sports Operation” and “Outstanding Weather Operation,” and was cited for having the best TV station website in the state. WTOV’s Brandon Gobel and Melissa Knollinger-O’Connor received a reporting award for their coverage of President Bush’s visit to Wheeling.

Among medium-market stations, Ron Martin of WFMJ-TV (21) in Youngstown won “best use of photography,” while Jim Bowser of WYTV-TV (33), Youngstown, was named “best photographer.” WYTV’s Jim Bowser and Len Rome won the award for “best feature reporting,” while their colleagues Vince Bevacqua and Rob Anderson won for “best enterprise reporting.” You can read the entire list here. (AP via WDTN-TV)

In radio, among mid-market stations, Jim Michaels of WKBN (570), Youngstown, was named best radio reporter and also copped the “best feature reporting” award for his story “Murdertown USA — A Title That Won’t Go Away.” (Full list here.)

The coveted “Silver Sow Award” was once again given to Les Nessman of WKRP, Cincinnati.