Our reporters win for excellence in journalism
Unflinching narrative. Triumph in storytelling. Threads of humanity.
Those words, all used by judges of the Ontario Newspaper Awards to describe the writing of two of our reporters: Grant LaFleche, reporter at The St. Catharines Standard, and John Law, reporter at The Niagara Falls Review.
They each won awards for excellence in journalism Saturday night at the annual ONA ceremonies in Toronto. The ONAs honour the best journalism produced by reporters, photographers and other newspaper staff at some three dozen newspapers across the province.
Combined, five reporters and photographers were nominated from The Standard and The Review.
LaFleche took top honours in the feature writing category for a three-part investigative series, The Wolf in Priest’s Clothing, about serial sexual criminal and Catholic priest Don Grecco.
The judges described LaFleche’s writing as an “unflinching narrative,” “a triumph in storytelling” and “an uncomfortable yet absorbing read presented with tenderness.”
“His chronicle of one man’s dark journey through a childhood of sexual abuse by clergy is told with power and precision,” wrote judges.
The series has also been nominated for a National Newspaper Award.
“It’s an in depth, well researched series of stories on a difficult subject,” said Angus Scott, editor-in-chief of Metroland Niagara Dailies.
LaFleche was also a finalist in the journalist of the year category — the most outstanding journalist overall — and was nominated in the beat reporting category along with journalist Bill Sawchuk for their coverage of Niagara politics.
Meanwhile, John Law won in the entertainment writing category for a series of stories which included: a review of Roger Daltrey’s technically troubled Niagara Falls show; a feature on country singer Brad Battle and his battle with depression, and a story about a controversial children’s show dealing with gender identity.
“His ability to find threads of humanity among complicated narratives made John Law’s work a standout among the nees,” wrote judges.
Said Scott: “It just shows you what a strong writer he is. He’s the one everyone strives to beat.”
Standard photographers also picked up nominations.
Bob Tymczysyn was nominat- ed in the sports photography category, and Julie Jocsak for spot news.
“It was fantastic, the number nominations we had,” said Scott.
“To win against some really tough competition.”