News wins 44 journalism awards

The Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists awarded the Deseret Morning News 44 awards during the chapter's banquet Friday night, including Best Newspaper, Best News-Oriented Web Site and 10 other first-place awards.

The awards, including the prestigious Clifford P. Cheney Service to Journalism recognition, went to a former editor, reporters, photographers and artists — including sweeps in the categories of feature photography and art and illustration of a Web site.

The Deseret Morning News was recognized as the top newspaper in Utah with a good mix of local and national news coverage of socially relevant topics as well as its use of design and graphics.

Former Deseret Morning News Editor John Hughes was this year's recipient of the Clifford P. Cheney Service to Journalism Award. Hughes, who is now teaching journalism at BYU, stepped down from the Deseret Morning News in 2006. During his journalism career, he also has worked as a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, editor and publisher of the Christian Science Monitor and served in various federal government positions. He was recognized for his example of excellence and his commitment to First Amendment rights for journalists.

Joe Bauman won a second-place award as best newspaper reporter for his "fascinating" human-interest stories. Dennis Romboy received an honorable mention in that category.

The Deseret Morning News crime team, made up of reporters Nancy Perkins, Pat Reavy and Ben Winslow, was recognized for its coverage of polygamist Warren Jeffs' arrest. The article "Jeffs in Nevada jail" won first place for spot news. Ben Winslow and Wendy Leonard won third place in the category for "Destiny's body found in S.L.," and honorable mention went to Doug Smeath, Jennifer Nii and Nicole Warburton for "Downtown rebound."

The first-place award for continuing coverage went to Lee Davidson and Bob Bernick Jr. for their story "Money in politics." Lois Collins received third place for "Separating conjoined twins."

In the series category, Lucinda Dillon Kinkead and Dennis Romboy were awarded first place for their series titled, "Teen suicide: Utah's grim reality."

Dennis Lythgoe placed first in the category of review/criticism for his story, "Mormon author has made peace." Dave Gagon received second place for his review, "Abstract observation."

For criminal justice reporting, Linda Thomson placed third with her story, "Davis duo dodged death-penalty case."