First Place, George A. Smallsreed Jr. Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLocal boys in Demier, Haiti collect water from the stream in old jugs. Because there is no clean water, chlorine tablets must be added to the water before it can be consumed.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateTarrah BeVeir, 11, lays down with her hogs during a brief rainstorm at the Hartford Fair. BeVier, from Johnstown, has been showing hogs at the fair for the past three years.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAnthony Woods dodges a punch from Bryan Goldsby in the super welterweight class. Goldsby won the match.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateJordan Gummere and Abigail Buchanan help each other with make-up before performing an abridged version of the Central Ohio Youth Ballet's production of " The Nutcracker" at the Granville Public Library.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAlyssa Richeson, surrounded by family and friends, is presented a flag at the funeral of her husband. Captain Nathan Richeson received full military honors at Swasey Chapel. Richeson, who grew up in Granville, served as a pilot in the Air National Guard. He was tragically killed changing a tire on the side of the road by a distracted driver. The couple were celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateA boy gets measured during a basic check-up at a makeshift clinic in the mountainside town of Demier Haiti.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMme Massenat of Gallette Dumay in Haiti, waits in her home to be seen by Dr. Tracee. Massenat is one of the view patients of the Healing Art Missions Clinic in Dumay that receives house visits due to her inability to walk to the clinic.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateJessi and Kevin Deeds began Fostering children 9 years ago and over the years have housed 35 different foster kids in their home. The Deedses adopted four of those children, in addition to their four biological kids brining their family total up to 10. The 8 Deeds children play and fight as though they all came from the same family. There have been ups and downs, but they approach life's battles together as a family. Cooper who is one of the Deeds' biological children, has needed time to adjust to having foster kids come and go in his life. Seeing them go was always hard for him because he would get attached. He and Makayla, one of his foster turned adopted sisters, both enjoy caring for the chickens and plan to take part in 4H this year.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAlexander laughs while his biological sister Amelia measures herself against her younger sister Ju Ju who is taller. The Deedes' biological children are all taller than their adopted children.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMegan buckles her little brother Titus into his seat next to their sister Ju Ju. Megan tries to take care of her younger siblings in her adoptive family because she cannot be their for two of her own younger sisters due to the way they were adopted.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateGrocery shopping is always an ordeal for Jesse Deeds. With eight children in tow she usually stops at Aldi and Walmart and fills up two carts. Jesse and her husband have four children of their own and after fostering 35 children they adopted four more. The adoptive children and the biological children play and fight as though they were all blood related.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateJu Ju jumps on the couch while her brother Titus watches a movie. The two siblings are the youngest of the Deeds children, and were both born after their parents began fostering children and have know no other way of life.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAmelia, who is adopted by the Deeds family, pushes a 4-wheeler and Ju Ju across the yard. Ju Ju is one of the Deeds' biological children and has only known a life with foster children cycling in and out of her home. The two play together as though they are biological siblings.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe Deeds children have all become interested in showing animals for 4-H, but none are as excited as Cooper who will be showing pigs for the second year. He takes pride in caring for his animals ad has set an example for his younger brothers and sisters. Cooper was 5 when his parents started fostering children, and it took him awhile to learn to cope with the kids leaving after he got attached.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAmelia, who came to live with the Deeds family as a foster child before being adopted by them stares out the window. Amelia doesn't remember much of her previous life because she was so young when she was brought to her new family.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe pack of Deeds' children all jumped at the chance to finally play outside as soon as the weather began to warm up in March. Amelia climbs up ad down the ropes and ladders while her younger sister Ju Ju runs through the mud.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAll the Deeds children have daily chores they must complete. Megan, who was adopted by the Deeds says feeding the chickens is one of her least favorite chores. Weather adopted of biological, all the Deeds children fight and play as though they were blood siblings.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMadison Weisend was cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the most demanding role, in the Central Ohio Youth Ballet's production of "the Nutcracker." Halfway through the rehearsal season, a sciatic nerve began giving Madison immense pain, and she had to make the difficult decision to give up her role in the production so her injury could heal. But she never abandoned her fellow dancers. She came to every rehearsal to help other dancers learn their roles and cheer them on through their final performances.Dancers lineup before auditions officially begin for the Central Ohio Youth Ballet's (CYOB) production of "The Nutcracker." The older girls stand in order of their height, receive their audition numbers and talk nervously before dancing for the directors.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDancers take turns practicing partnering before auditions for principal roles for the Central Ohio Youth Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker."
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMadison Weisend practices partnering with Max Berry before auditions for the bigger roles for the CYOB's production of "The Nutcracker." Weisend has been dancing since she was three was cast as Clara last year and has been looking forward to "The Nutcracker" season all year.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMadison Weisend goes into a balance position while rehearsing for her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateA dancer wraps her pointe shoe before rehearsals begin.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAssistant artistic director, Erika Twining Wills, points at Madison Weisend, 16, as she demonstrates a modern dance move to other CYOB dancers in a workshop just days before "The Nutcracker" auditions.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateArtistic director, Robert Cole, helps Madison Weisend perfect an arabesque for her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Max Berry, who is the understudy for the Cavalier, watches in the background.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAssistant artistic director Erika Twining Willis decided the younger girls dancing in the Spanish chorus could use some coaching from Madison, who teaches a dance class during the week to young dancers. The group went to the downstairs studio to rehears. Clarissa Dorenbusch is one of the dancers in the Spanish chorus.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateA few weeks into rehearsal, Madison Weisend made the difficult decision to pull out of the performance due to a sciatic nerve injury. While watching her friend Ava Hamstead practice as the understudy to her role, Madison began to cry, wishing she was the one dancing. Taryn Benson rushed to her side to comfort her.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMadison Weisend stretches before beginning rehearsal as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele Dobos is an addict – one who has stolen, taken drugs to a drug screening and broken other laws. But she is not alone. In fact, she is one of thousands across Ohio struggling with addiction. She faced many struggles in her first weeks of being sober, but she did not let them deter her. Michele Dobos kisses her son Syncere before leaving home to meet with her parole officer for the first time. She was worried about being sent back to jail and further traumatizing her son because she had missed two court ordered narcotics anonymous meetings.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele Dobos nervously waits for her first meeting with her parole officer, Chad Smith. She was worried about being sent back to jail because she had missed two court ordered narcotics anonymous meetings. As part of her early release from jail Michele has to participate in meetings for addiction, daily NA or AA meetings and was required to pass drug test every morning. This strict regiment has helped her stay clean, but wears her down and occupies a good part of her day each day.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele Dobos smokes and talks with other addict friends before entering a court ordered AA meeting.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele's younger brother, Carl, plays music on his cell phone, while Michele's boyfriend Travis playfully kisses her behind him. All three are recovering methamphetamine addicts.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele hugs her boyfriend Travis before leaving for her daily trip to be drug tested. Michele and Travis met each other two days after her release from jail. Her son, Syncere, quickly became attached to Travis calling him daddy after a couple of weeks.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateTravis holds Syncere to try and calm him down while Michele gets ready for her drug test. Travis began dating Michele two days after her release from jail, both are recovering from a methamphetamine addiction.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateWorried she may be pregnant with her new boyfriend Travis, Michele talks with her brother Carl in the basement of their mother's home. Carl became addicted to methamphetamine while living with Michele and is now going through his own recovery.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateCarl smokes on his bed while listening to music and reading old texts from his ex. Carl had moved in with Michele to escape trouble at home. While Michele was using methamphetamine he began to use it as well and is now fighting off his own addiction.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMichele embraces her son and walks angrily away from her boyfriend, Travis, who had been watching her son during a narcotics anonymous meeting. The couple were both in the meeting but Travis who is also a recovering addict took her son outside because he was disrupting the meeting. Michele in turn had become very worried when she could not find them right away.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateCourt appointed attorney, Bryan Bowen, explains the felony 3 charge Michele is facing and the possible outcomes before entering her plea of not guilty. Michele was charged with possession for 3.2 grams of methamphetamine that fell from her pants in May in front of her parole officer. This occurred before she had committed to her recovery from addiction.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateStanding in from of the magistrate with her court appointed attorney, Michele enters her plea of not guilty at her arraignment on a felony 3 drug charge. Michele was charged with possession for 3.2 grams of methamphetamine that fell from her pants in May in front of her parole officer. This occurred before she had committed to her recovery from addiction.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAfter returning from her court hearing, Michele, exhausted and stressed from the day, gives her son, Syncere, a bath. Michele just keeps reminding herself its one day at a time, repeating the mantra from her NA meetings "just for today".
First Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate"Just for today" is the mantra helping Michele (left and front) through her recovery. Michele and her friend Angie (top right) began using Methamphetamine together when Michele's son, Syncere, was month old. Her brother Carl also began using when he moved in with Michele. Angie had moved in with the other two saying "we started this together, now we're gonna finish it together. "
Second Place, George A. Smallsreed Jr. Award - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community News
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsTommy Smith, 19, of Johnstown, stands on his derby car during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the demolition derby at the Hartford Fair Aug. 6, 2014 at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Hartford. It was Smith's first competitive demolition derby.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsKent Parton, 9, blows on his frog while trying to motivate him to jump during the Dublin Kiwanis Frog Jump June 28, 2014 at Coffman Park in Dublin. During the jump, contestants start at the center of a ring and the first frog to exit the ring is declared winner. Contestants may use any method of motivation to get their frog to jump, except touching.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsViolinist Margaret Wright, 16, center right, secretly changes the pitch of cellist Nick Jones, 16 center, as he practices his school's alma mater backstage during Central Crossing band's spring concert at Central Crossing High School in Grove City, Ohio.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsReynoldsburg High School teachers, who declined to give their names, form a picket line outside Reynoldsburg High School. Teachers in the district went on a 15-day strike to protest a new contract which failed to address overcrowding in classrooms.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South wide receiver Marcus Williamson (6) watches as a pass sails over his head during the Wildcats' football game against Westerville Central in Westerville.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBishop Hartley middle hitter Madeline Brandewie (20) celebrates a point late in the fifth set of the Hawks' Division II volleyball state semifinal against Kettering Archbishop Alter at the Nutter Center in Fairborn. Hartley defeated Alter in five sets, 20-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-19, 15-7. Brandewie had a team-high 21 kills.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBig Walnut's Leah Shaw misses a line drive during the Eagles' OHSAA Division I regional softball semifinal against Gahanna Lincoln at Buckeye Field in Columbus. Big Walnut lost to Gahanna, 3-0.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsUpper Arlington's Drew Snouffer (24) prepares to lead his team onto the field before the start of the Golden Bears' football game against Dublin Jerome at Upper Arlington High School.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsEvent manager Regan Mezak places a plate of pastries for guests during the Installation Ceremony for Jennifer Ciccarelli, the 13th Head of School at Columbus School for Girls in Bexley.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsMary Anders, 75, of Grove City, tries to set her thread in an old Singer sewing maching while working at Caskey's Dry Cleaning Company in German Village in Columbus. Anders has worked at the company since age 17, when she started a part-time job in the company's warehouse.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsMembers of the Watkins Memorial Marching Band prepare for their pregame performance before the Warriors' football game against Newark Catholic at Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsThomas Worthington's Danny Gordon (left) sobs as teammate Sam Ankrom (right) hangs his head following Thomas Worthington's 3-2 loss to Pickerington North during their OHSAA Division I district final at Otterbein University in Westerville.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsRose Neefe sits on her couch in the living room of her apartment at the Commons at Royal Landings in Whitehall. Neefe and her husband, Robert, use an electric fireplace to stay warm and have placed plastic over the windows to keep heat in and cold air out. The apartment complex, which was the site of a 4-year-old boy's death after a stove being used to heat the home crushed him, has been reported for numerous code violations and lack of heat in some units.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsGary Leimbach, as Jesus, carries a crucifix up College Avenue during the annual Good Friday "Cross Walk" in Westerville.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany Miller (left) is a recovering heroin addict. As a young teenager, Brittany experimented with marijuana and alcohol, moving to cocaine at age 14. "I used to try to be out of myself and I had a lot of self-esteem issues," she said. By age 3, Brittany's mother, Terri, right, had left her stepdad to reunite with Brittany's father. "I felt betrayed by my mom," she said. Eventually, Brittany started using OxyContin, a prescription painkiller, to numb her feelings of pain and inadequacy. In recent years, Ohio laws have cracked down on the distribution of these prescription opioids, making them more expensive and harder to obtain illegally. Many addicts then turned to heroin, a drug nearly identical to opiate painkillers, because it was cheaper and easier to find.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany smokes a cigarette while at her mother's home in Reynoldsburg. She first tried heroin after her friend, Thomas, died of a heroin overdose four years ago because she was curious about the feeling the drug produced. "From then on, I did it everyday and created a romantic involvement," she said. "My addiction was a romantic relationship. I didn't crave a significant other." While addicted to heroin, Brittany often shoplifted to support herself and her daughter, using all of the money from various jobs to buy the drug.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany caresses her daughter, Kalysta Snell, 6, right, while at her mother's house in Reynoldsburg. It was Brittany's realization that she was unfit to be a mother while on drugs that led her to try and detox. Her first attempt lasted only 30 days. After that, she got on a waiting list for an inpatient rehab program.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany arrives for her weekly counseling session at Maryhaven in Columbus. Brittany entered detox at Maryhaven after a two-month wait and stayed there for 20 days. "I learned how to let other people love me until I could love myself again," Brittany said of her stay at the rehab center. As a outpatient now, she meets with her counselor for additional support during her recovery.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany laughs as her boyfriend, Deryk Tangeman, brings a sleepy Kalysta into the kitchen for breakfast before her first day of school in Reynoldsburg. After moving out of her mother's house, Brittany and Kalysta moved in with Deryk to a home they share with his mother. "He's not an addict in any way," Brittany said of Deryk. "And he for some reason cares abut someone like me."
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany fixes Kalysta's hair while getting ready for the first day of school in Reynoldsburg.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany tries to get Kalysta to eat some yogurt for breakfast in Reynoldsburg. Kalysta has ADHD and her medication suppresses her appetite. Brittany constantly tries to get Kalysta to eat.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBecky Tangeman, center right, the mother of Deryk, gives Kalysta some words of encouragement as she heads off to school in Reynoldsburg. Kalysta's father, Andrew Snell, top center, also came over to take his daughter to school with Brittany. Though Brittany and Andrew aren't together, they maintain a cordial relationship as friends.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBrittany walks Kalysta to school with Andrew (right) in Reynoldsburg. Brittany is still undergoing outpatient rehabilitation and counseling, and marked six months of sobriety in September. "No matter what I did to other people and myself, to my daughter and family, the only thing I can do it move forward," she said. "I can't change any of the things I did."
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsFive-year-old gilding Iwilldowhatido waits in the stables before the start of the first race during the 69th Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Since 1946, the Little Brown Jug has been one of the most coveted races in harness racing. On the third Thursday after Labor Day, three-year-old pacing standardbreds compete on the one-mile dirt track as spectators place their bets and drink cheap beer. The Jug, held annually at the Delaware County Fairgrounds is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing, and the winner is glazed onto a small brown jug trophy.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsA man, who declined to give his name because he called in sick to work, reads the race program as betters line up to place their bets during the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsTrainers move through the stables before a race during the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsHoof and foot prints, along with tire tracks from the racing harnesses, lead out to the track during the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsDrivers race toward the finish line during an elimination race of the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsSpectators react as drivers make a turn during an elimination race at the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsDriver Yannick Gingras tosses a yellow rose to a fan in the crowd after winning the 69th Little Brown Jug with standardbred Limelight Beach at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. As is tradition, the winner of the Jug hands out the flowers to fans following the final race.
Third Place, George A. Smallsreed Jr. Award - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-Sun
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunFamily members console Sanceia Jenkins as she's told the body of her nine-year-old son, Collin, has been recovered from Buck Creek Monday. Collin vanished while swimming with his brothers and uncle in the creek. The Clark County water recovery team was called to the scene to search for the boy. Collin's body was found after more than an hour of searching.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMembers of the Huber Heights Water Recovery Team rescue a stranded motorist from the roof of his car after it became submerged in several feet of water during a storm. The motorist drove around a fire engine blocking the intersection of Gerlaugh Road and Ohio 235 and became stranded.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunA member of the Springfield Police Division tries to calm down a visibly upset man as he tries to rush into a crime scene at the intersection of South Lowry and Grand Avenues where George Walker, a well known football standout at Springfield High School, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunFlames engulf a tractor trailer rig on west bound I-70 between State Route 41 and US 40 as members of the Springfield and Harmony Township fire departments battled the flames. The semi rolled over and burst into flames after striking another semi that was parked along shoulder of the highway. The driver of the burning semi escaped without injuries. The driver of the semi parked on the shoulder was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunFamily members console each other next to a bullet riddled car along Alta Road in Springfield Township. According to the Clark County Sheriff, the 22-year-old male driver was shot during an apparent drug deal on Pumphouse Road and drove to Alta Road where he crashed his car.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunChad Baker (left) and Jeremy Walker use a boat to help Baker's sister, Amy Baker (center) recover some of her belongings from her flooded apartment along Gerlaugh Road in Clark County. The apartment complex was evacuated earlier in the morning when several feet of water started flooding the apartments.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunLeAnna Miller is consoled by a friend after a car lost control and ran through her house, completely knocking off the corner of the structure in the 500 block of North Bechtle Avenue in Springfield. There were no injuries to the residents but the driver of the car was transported to the hospital. The house suffered major structural damage.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunRoger St. Cyr walks along the wall of American flags setting fire to them with a burning crutch Saturday during the 26th annual Flag Day flag retirement ceremony at the American Legion Post 286 in New Carlisle. During this year's ceremony, more than 5,000 worn out and faded flags were destroyed.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunA set of hands reaches out to catch a toy tossed from a sea of black leather at the Clark County Fairgrounds for the Highway Hikers Motorcycle Club's 36th annual Toy Run. This year 2168 motorcycles participated in the Toy Run from the Highway Hikers clubhouse in Medway to the fairgrounds to donate toys and money for the Salvation Army's annual Holiday Toy Drive for needy children.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunPam Wallace, of Tremont City, is reflected in the sideview mirror of her car as she takes pictures of the Community Hospital demolition. Wallace was just one of several people who sat in their cars in a parking lot across the street to watch as the city's original hospital was torn down.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMaryln Sundberg says a prayer for the country along with other Clark County residents and officials during a public prayer on the lawn in front of the Clark County Common Pleas Courthouse. Several dozen residents gathered together on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to pray the country and its citizens.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMichael Ranvall, an employee of Millennium Preservation Group, Inc. looks down at the ground 180 feet below after the new 10 foot cross was attached to the top of the St. Raphael Catholic Church steeple. The gold cross was raised into place following a blessing ceremony. The 130-year-old church has recently undergone a major renovation.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunProfessional wrestling fan and honorary official, Dorothy Brown, was ring side again this year at the Champaign County Fair's professional wrestling show keeping the wrestlers in check. Brown, who has been ringside at the annual event for years, was more popular than the wrestlers as she stands up to the giants and calls attention to their cheating tactics.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunGlass artist Doug Frates expanded his studio into the downtown storefrtont vacated after Running with Scissors left several months ago. Frates is hoping his business helps encourage others to open storefronts in downtown Springfield.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunAlice Matthews smiles as she's surrounded by her family, from left, her niece Morna Fitzgerald, daughter, Maureen Espo, and daughter Judith Fitzgerald, at Belle Manor in New Carlisle. The 100th anniversary of Mothers Day, Alice will also be 100 years old and her family will be traveling from all over the country to visit her for a party at Belle Manor.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunAddison Paciorek, 5, was enjoying the mild weather by practicing her rock climbing skills on the colorful climbing wall at Moorefield Family Park.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunShawnee's Trevor Deam hits Springfield quarterback Nick McCaughey as he runs with the ball during a game at Shawnee.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunKenton Ridge's Jordan Bailey soars between Shawnee's, from left, David Barnett, Andrew Tincher and Seth Gray as goes up for a lay-up.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunWest Liberty-Salem's Trent Thomas catches a pass for a Tigers first down during their playoff game against Minster Friday in Piqua.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunAs county fair season rolls around, communities in Southwest Ohio gather together to celebrate their agricultural roots and future. While some compete with their animals and their skills, others simply enjoy the thrilling rides and food on the midway. Whatever the reason for attending the fair, the outcome is always the same. A great time. Truitt Thomas, 13, relaxes with his pig in it's pin after getting it settled in for a week at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunCaty Shoemaker reacts as her name is announced as the 2014 Fair Queen.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunA sign on a cage in the poultry barn at the fair warns visitors to look but not try to touch a rooster on display.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMorgan Waymire, 13, (left) and Kendall Spencer, 11, splash mud on each other after cleaning their calf at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunPowder sugar flies in the air as Dale Miller, 12, left, and Matthew Holland, 12, enjoy a hot funnel cake on the midway at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMary Ellen Moore and Aubrey Moore peek through the curtain as they watch a fellow model walk on the catwalk Thursday during the Homemakers Style Show at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunAn inflatable midway prize takes up a seat on a ride at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunKenley Ballard, 2, struggles to hold her trophy after winning the Grand Champion Swine Carcass at the fair.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-SunMcKenzie Palmer, 15, wipes away a tear as she waits to auction off her Reserve Champion steer Friday at the fair.
