First Place, General News - Jeremy Wadsworth / The Blade, “Crash”Raquel Smouthers, aunt of the two children who were killed when a car driven by Marshella Chidester plowed into the Swan Boat Club, speaks during Chidester’s arraignment Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Monroe County Courthouse in Monroe, Michigan.
Second Place, General News - Jeremy Wadsworth / The Blade, “Vows”After 34 years of marriage, Bob & Marylin Klear renew their wedding vows during a "We Still Do" vow renewal and reception to celebrate Sweetest Day Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Ohio Living Swan Creek in Toledo.
Third Place, General News - Adam Cairns / The Columbus Dispatch, “Masters Eclipse”John Gillenwater, of Richmond, Va., looks up at the solar eclipse during a practice round for the Masters Tournament golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Award of Excellence, General News - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-Sun, “Flag Retirement”Tony Rieker extinguishes a small grass fire after helping light thousands of American flags during the annual flag retirement ceremony at American Legion Post 286 in New Carlisle Friday, June 14, 2024. The American Legiion receives thousands of faded and worn out flags from all over the country to officially retire. This year they retired between 8,000 an 10,000 flags.
Award of Excellence, General News - Rebecca Benson / The Blade, “Protest”A Pro-Palestine protester yells to U.S. Rep Marcy Kaptur as she is escorted out of the Organizing for Ohio rally at Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 50 in Northwood on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Award of Excellence, General News - Kurt Steiss / The Blade, “Vigil”Michael Hatfield (right) consoles his brother, Nicholas Phillips as Phillips speak to the media ahead of a vigil being held outside Swan Boat Club in Newport, Mich., on Friday, April 26, 2024. They are both uncles of Zayn and Alanah Phillips. People gathered to pay their respects where two young siblings, Zayn Phillips, 4, and Alanah Phillips, 8, were killed after an alleged drunk driver crashed into the building during a birthday party on April 20.
Award of Excellence, General News - Phillip L. Kaplan / The Blade, “Mr. Mayor, I Play Tennis”Toledo mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks a to very engaged audience excited to celebrate the newly renovated Jermain Park and the naming of Court 4 the "Zacharias Barden Memorial Court" on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in West Toledo. The six courts, and four pickleball courts, are open to the public and will be used by the 3,000 members of the Northwest Ohio Tennis Association.
