Times News print and online publications have earned writing and photography awards recently announced by the state’s two largest journalism organizations.

Associated PressThe Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, Philadelphia, announced April 7 that the Times News will receive four honors in the 2016 Excellence in Journalism competition, including a sweep of awards in one category.Donald R. Serfass captured first place in investigative reporting for “Passion in the pews.” The in-depth Spotlight report explored details of a dramatic 1950s Palmerton double murder and subsequent manhunt for the killer.Taking second place in the same category was the team of Jarrad Hedes and Linda Koehler for “Heading for extinction?” The two-story package examined the plight of volunteer fire companies challenged to maintain high standards in emergency response despite diminishing ranks.Serfass also won first place in business writing for “Winter on the farm.” The Spotlight story revealed struggles in keeping a farm operating during deep snow and biting cold weather, seen through the eyes of 60-year-old Scott Leiby of Lewistown Valley and the Leiby family farm.In the photo story category, Bob Ford took second place for “Paska — a Lansford tradition.” Ford’s story and photo presentation chronicled a Panther Valley pre-Easter tradition, begun in the 1950s, in which members of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church gather in the basement to make Paska bread.According to the AP, winners were selected from nearly 1,500 nominations from 47 daily newspapers.The Times News competes against dailies under 20,000 circulation.Keystone PressTimes News stories and photos were selected for seven Professional Keystone Press awards announced by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association in Harrisburg.Serfass took second place in feature beat reporting for a collection of local history stories titled “Our rich past.”Bruce Frassinelli took second place in editorial writing a collection of three works.Ford earned second place for his sports photo of a long jump contestant, “Spectacular showing.”Serfass also received three honorable mentions in editorial writing, column writing and breaking news, while Ford received honorable mention in feature photography.In Keystone Press competition, the Times News competes against daily newspapers under 15,000 circulation.The AP and Keystone awards will be presented in May at the Pennsylvania Press Conference in Harrisburg.“It’s always an honor when our work is acknowledged by our peers in journalism,” said Marta Gouger, editor.“The entire staff works hard every day to deliver breaking news, commentary and enterprise stories both in print and online.”Lehigh Valley PressLehigh Valley Press, weekly publications independently owned and operated by the Times News LLC, won Professional Keystone Press awards competing in the nondaily division.Bethlehem Press won 22 awards, including the Sweepstakes Award for the third year, recognition based on the greatest number of awards and points in a division.Bethlehem Press winners were: Bernie O’Hare, Katya Hrichak, Michaella Meeh, Paul Willistein, Chris Parker, Nate Jastrzemski, Katy Hrichar, Katie McDonald, Peter Car, Bud Cole, Carole Gorney, Tim Gilman, Dave Rowe, Scott Pagel and Ed Courrier.Parkland Press earned three Keystones by writers Debra Palmieri and Bonnie Lee Strunk.Salisbury Press won three Keystones for the work of Debbie Galbraith, Todd Kress and Nancy Scholz.Whitehall-Coplay Press captured two Keystones by Robin Eberhardt and Mark Reccek.The Lehigh Valley Press newspapers compete among other non-dailies with a circulation of under 5,000.The awards will be presented at the Pennsylvania Press Conference, held the weekend of May 20-21 in Harrisburg.The Keystone Press Awards reinforce excellence by writers and photographers, recognizing journalism that consistently provides relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers, and faithfully fulfills First Amendment values. The Keystones are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors.