The Times News has winners in several statewide media contests presented by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Because of the pandemic, award certificates were mailed to winners instead of the usual award ceremonies.

Winners in the annual professional Keystone Media Awards:

• Photographer Bob Ford captured three awards. He won second place in the sports action photo category for a photo of a diving football catch.

He swept the category for graphic/photo illustration, with first place for girls tennis player of the year, and second for boys tennis player of the year. Both were Pleasant Valley students.

• Reporter Chris Reber earned honorable mention in the Business or Consumer Story category for “Hands of Time,” a story about renowned clock makers who donated their time and labor to refurbish the clock in Weatherly.

• Richard Strack, features columnist and sports writer, won first place for “A soldier’s tale of guilt and redemption,” a story about Lehighton veteran Clarence Smoyer.

• Donald Serfass, retired features editor and Times News correspondent, won second place for lifestyle beat, a series of stories about history.

• Graphic artist David Rowe earned second place for feature page design for Spotlight designs.

• The Times News weekly publications also won 12 awards.

Advertising

In the PNA Foundation advertising contest, The Times News won in the following categories in its circulation division:

• Best Business-Building Idea, first place for Reader’s Choice (special edition, nominate me & vote for me signs; a link to the archived contest site; pictures from the awards ceremony

• Wild Card Category, first place, West End Fair (animated digital ads)

• Self-Promotion Advertising, second place, What is Love Contest

• Special Section/Niche Publication, second place, Kid’s Closet Coloring Book

• Special Section/Niche Publication, honorable mention, Cookbook

• Wild Card Category, honorable mention, Stan Graver Auto Sales and Service (animated digital ads)

Carriers

Two Times News carriers were tied for third in the 2020 Newspaper Carrier of the Year Award contest.

Derik Moore and Brionna Moore are tied with John P Partilla of The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre.

The third place winner captures $150.

Applications of top performing carriers are submitted by news organizations across Pennsylvania. Nominees are judged on their route performance and customer service, as well as personal and community service.