Sun captures 22 awards in contest

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 11:33 a.m.

A Las Vegas Sun story featuring a barnyard full of animals and one of Las Vegas' last lounge crooners, and one of the area's rising reporters captured the attention of the judges of Nevada Press Association's Better Newspapers Contest.

The Sun was honored Saturday with 22 overall awards including nine first places during the association's annual convention held at Sunset Station.

Former Las Vegas Sun Accent Editor Steve Bornfeld captured story of the year honors for his "Buddy Can You Spare a Show," which looked at 71-year-old singer Buddy Greco in a detailed and conversational style. Bornfeld also took first in the feature category with the story.

The Sun's other major honor was won by religion reporter Stacy Willis, who took the Journalist of Merit award. It was the second year in a row that the Sun was honored with the award given to up and coming journalists. Washington bureau reporter Ben Grove won it last year.

The Sun's other first place winners included Victoria Sun for local sports story, Dean Juipe for local sports column, Jon Ralston for local non-staff column and Jeff Haney for best headline writing.

The Sun's photographers also took two blue ribbons, with the winning spot news photo by Photo Editor R. Marsh Starks from the scene of Zane Floyd Albertson's shooting spree. Sam Morris scored a first place photo in the portrait category with a reflection shot of a paramedic in an ambulance window.

Other Sun winners included, Lori Cain with a feature photo third place; Aaron Mayes with third for illustrated photo; Ethan Miller, third for sports photo; Bornfeld, second in headline writing; Pam Killinsworth, second in page design; Steve Addy, second for a local sports story; Grove, third for investigative story; and David Strow, third for the business story.

The Sun was also recognized with second places for community service, editorial page design and page one design.

Sportswriter Spencer Patterson was given an honorable mention for local sport feature, and Starks received an honorable mention for illustrated photo.