Times News staffers have earned writing and photography awards in contests conducted by the state's two largest journalism organizations.

Associated PressThe Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, Philadelphia, announced April 1 that the Times News will receive three writing awards and two in photography in the 2015 AP Excellence in Journalism competition.The team of Donald R. Serfass and Kathy Kunkel earned first place in spot news reporting for their work "Hunter shoots two teens," about a Tamaqua shooting in late November.The category of spot news recognizes thoroughness and accuracy in covering breaking news where no planning is possible.In the category of general news reporting, the team of Serfass and Chris Parker took second place for their ongoing coverage of "Schuylkill soldier killed," the Afghanistan death of a Green Beret from Orwigsburg.In editorial writing, Serfass earned second place for "Funding education," an examination of alleged inequities in Pennsylvania reimbursement to school districts.In photography competition, Bob Ford swept the category of photo story, taking first for "One 'sweet' hobby," which illustrated maple syrup production, and second for "The president's tree," picturing steps involved in the selection of the White House Christmas tree.The Times News competes against daily newspapers under 20,000 circulation.Keystone PressThe Times News was selected for five Professional Keystone Press awards announced by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Harrisburg.In the category of ongoing news coverage, the staff earned second place for "Four teens killed in crash," a series of stories about a Palmerton area tragedy and its impact on the community.Writers involved included Jarrad Hedes, Ron Gower, Chris Parker, Donald Serfass and Terry Ahner.Serfass also earned second place in investigative reporting for "Massacre at the Amber Lantern," in which he examined an unsolved Hometown crime that took four lives.Writer Amy Miller was singled out for second place in personality profile for "The silent loss," an in-depth report on ectopic pregnancies, including risks and treatments.A series of page layouts by graphic artist Dave Rowe, "Bringing life to the pages," was selected for first place in page design.In Keystone Press competition, the Times News competes against daily newspapers under 15,000 circulation.Lehigh Valley PressPublications of Lehigh Valley Press, independently owned and operated by the Times News LLC, won 12 Professional Keystone Press awards.The Bethlehem Press won 10 awards, including the Sweepstakes Award, for the second straight year.The Whitehall-Coplay Press won two Keystones: first place in investigative reporting by Johanna S. Billings, and first in column writing, Mark Recek.In addition to the Division VII Sweepstakes Award, which is based on the greatest number of awards and points won in a given division, The Bethlehem Press earned: second place, column, Karen Samuels; first place, general news, Bernie O'Hare; second place, ongoing news coverage, Bernie O'Hare, Nate Jastrzemski, Dawn Nixon; first place, series, Katya Hrichak; first place, business-consumer story, Carol Smith; second place, feature beat reporting, Paul Willistein; second place, photo story, Nate Jastrzemski; first place, headline writing, Paul Willistein, and first place, graphic-photo illustration, Ed Courrier.The Lehigh Valley Press newspapers compete among other non-dailies with a circulation of under 5,000.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.The awards will be presented May 29-30 at the 2015 Pennsylvania Press Conference in Gettysburg.