First Place, General News - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMitch Gargac gives his father Ray an embrace in the sanctuary of the Vineyard Church. Mitch and fellow soldiers were marching out after dismissal ceremony that included videos and speeches welcoming them home when Mitch spotted his father.
Second Place, General News - Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerLooking down at the casket of her husband is Bobbie Payne, as her son Victor, wipes a tear from her cheek. Bobbie Payne was just presented with the flag from her husbands casket. Norman Payne's remains were found in a Laotian jungle, 38 years after he was listed as MIA during the Vietnam war. A funeral service was held at the Boyd & Son Funeral Home followed by a burial service with full military honors.
Third Place, General News - Tom Dodge / The Columbus DispatchAnthony McKinney screams as he was found guilty by a jury of murdering Terrance Barbour and maintained his innocence during the victim's impact statements prior to sentencing. The Judge sentenced McKinney to 28 years to Life.
Award of Excellence, General News - Chris Stephens / The Plain DealerCarol Crenshaw pleads with young people to "stay off the streets" as she speaks at a demonstration held to protest rulings that exonerated police in five cases of deadly force used by Cleveland police. Carol's son, David Crenshaw, was shot and killed by police as were Brandon McCLoud, Eren Beyah, Laray Renshaw and Angelo Ferguson . Special prosecutor C. Ellen Connally ruled that no charges should be brought against the police officers involved.
Award of Excellence, General News - Ron Alvey / Dayton Daily News Mario Cosey, a 7th grader at McKinney Middle School, in Yellow Springs, has his eyes wide open as he participates the re-enactment of the "tight-pack" practice of a slave ship. Approximately 320 students, in grades 7 through 12, participated in the learning activity to help them understand how slaves were transported to the Americas aboard slave ships. Eighth grade Language Arts teacher Aurelia Blake taped down the dimensions of a slave ship on the Yellow Springs High School gym floor and packed the students into the slave ship dimensions.
Award of Excellence, General News - Ron Alvey / Dayton Daily NewsJennifer and Frank South hold hands and their newborn son, James, just minutes after Jennifer gave birth. Early in the pregnancy, James was diagnosed with Limb Body Wall Complex and was not expected to live. James lived for approximately four hours, giving the parents and family members time to fellowship and coo over James.
Award of Excellence, General News - Thomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerLawyers John Luskin (left) and Kevin Cafferkey squirmed with unconcealed impatience as they waited for their client, convicted murderer Biswanath Halder, to apologize to the family of Norman Wallace, his victim at a killing spree at Case Western Reserve University. Halder's rambling, unrepentant explanation failed to move Judge Peggy Foley-Jones, who sentenced him to life without possibility of parole.
Award of Excellence, General News - Tom Dodge / The Columbus DispatchFranklin County Common Pleas Judge Julie M.Lynch tells German Village robber Louis Hairston "This is not Kmart, there are no Blue Light specials" before sentencing him to 39 years.Hairston is standing with his attorney Stanlee E. Culbreath (right) and surrounded by Franklin County Sheriff deputies.
