First Place, Spot News over 100,000 - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerMonica Richardson (second from right) is restrained by neighbors after she was told that her mother, Delores Richardson, was killed in a fire at her parents home. Her father (far left) Thomas Richardson was at the home located at 1630 Crawford Court in Cleveland when the fire broke out. Thomas was able to flee with Delores' son before the fire spread. A family member said the fire was started when an incense candle caught the couch in the living room on fire. JOHN KUNTZ THE PLAIN DEALER Monica Richardson, second from right, learns of her mother's death Tuesday afternoon in a fire on Cleveland's East Side. Her father, Thomas, is at far left.
Second Place, Spot News over 100,000 - Lisa DeJong / The Plain DealerSome good samaritans spent about 45 minutes helping the RTA Circulator bus slowly spin his way down Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights during a huge snowstorm on March 8, 2008. The bus pushers, all neighbors, some who have never even met before, said they were out for hours helping snowed-in motorists dig out, one after another. They helped about 15 cars get unstuck. With hoops and cheers, the crowd finally pushed the bus on it's way down Euclid Heights Blvd.
Third Place, Spot News over 100,000 - James D. DeCamp / The Columbus DispatchA NetCare crisis councilor and a Columbus Police Negotiator talk with a suicidal man who was threatening to jump from the Broad Street Bridge downtown, July 18, 2008. After a two hour standoff, the man gave him self up without incident.
Award of Excellence, Spot News over 100,000 - Doral Chenoweth III / The Columbus DispatchElizabeth Blythe of Junction City looks at the bedroom of her mobile home that was demolished by a tree Tuesday morning. She said a voice told her walk out of bedroom three seconds before the calamity.
Award of Excellence, Spot News over 100,000 - Dave Zapotosky / The Blade Christina Bennett, owner of Beauty Salon 2003, 132 N. Main St., Findlay, watches as Vincent May of Findlay tries to avoid stepping in flood water on N. Main St., in Findlay, Ohio, on February 6, 2008. Bennett had closed her shop due to the flooding.
