First Place, General News - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchNikki Branch holds her son Julian Branch 2 while nurse Bari Jackson administers his second dose of the H1N1 vaccine at a public clinic.
Second Place, General News - Tessa Bargainnier / Kent State UniversityStaff Sgt. Shaun Brooks embraces his four-year-old daughter Kayla after arriving to the 135th Military Police Company Welcome Home Ceremony & Freedom Salute Sunday afternoon at Kenston High School.
Third Place, General News - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunA family member touches the top of Cassandra Karg's signed casket as she leaves following funeral services for Cassandra and her three cousins, Nathan Skaggs, Breonna Snelling and Patrick Snelling, March 28, 2009 at Spring Grove Cemetery. The four children were killed in a mobile home fire in St. Paris.
Award of Excellence, General News - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerKristina Moreno carries off a portrait of the Black Madonna after a morning prayer service outside the closed St. Casimir Church. The church was closed last November during the Cleveland Catholic Diocese downsizing. Parishioners have continued to meet on the sidewalk on Sundays for prayer service.
Award of Excellence, General News - Marshall Gorby / Springfield News-SunJerome Petry (right) helps to sets fire to over 7,000 flags behind Legion Post 286 in New Carlisle during an official ceremony to retire worn and unusable flags on Flag Day on June 14, 2009.
Award of Excellence, General News - Shari Lewis / The Columbus DispatchCatherine Fears comforts her husband Kenneth Fears as he is overcome with emotion during the hearing of Kenneth's brother Joseph Fears, who he had not seen in more than 25 years. Joseph Fears was released from prison after DNA tests proved he was innocent.
Award of Excellence, General News - Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerAvis Judge, of Cleveland Heights, wipes a tear as she celebrates during the Inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama and Joe Biden on a big screen from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2009. Millions turned out to bear the cold and view the events of the day live.
