The Times News Media Group, which includes the Times News and the weekly newspapers have won several awards in the annual contests sponsored by the Pennsylvania News Media Association.

The news awards, presented at a brunch last week at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg, include:

• Patrick Matsinko, first place for a business story, “Two loves, one career,” and sidebar “Pilla loves helping friends, family” about Abby Pilla, a Marian graduate.

• Amy Miller, second place for a business story, “100 years of farming” about the Sernak family’s farm in Weatherly.

• Bruce Frassinelli, honorable mention for a body of opinion pieces, “Life’s randomness.”

• Richard Strack and Marta Gouger won second place in the feature category for “An incredible spirit,” a story about a Pleasant Valley girl with a rare disease.

• Barry Reed’s “It’s In your Nature” columns won an honorable mention.

• Donald Serfass won first place in the Lifestyle/Entertainment Beat, with a collection of works titled, “The world around us.” Serfass also captured an honorable mention for a feature photo, “Toddler’s first rainbow.”

• Marta Gouger took first place for news feature for “Identified at last,” a story about the Beth Doe cold case, and honorable mention in the photo story/essay category for “Up, up and away,” a feature about a hot-air balloon ride.

• Graphic artist David Rowe captured second place for feature page design with a collection of Spotlight designs: “No longer Silent,” “Organic Options,” “Finding His Way,” “Spiders and Webs” and “Up, up and away.”

• George Taylor of Tamaqua, won the sweepstakes award for the Bethlehem Press achieving the most points in his circulation category. In all the Lehigh Valley Press papers won 19 awards.

Advertising

The Times News advertising department won several awards in PNA Foundation Advertising Contest. Awards, including:

• Best single ad, first place, Cindy’s Deli

• Small Space ad, first place, Good Karma Hippie Shop

• Ad Campaign Using Multiple Products, first place, Funtime Cinemas

• Self Promotion Advertising, first place, Readers’ Choice

• Best Real Estate/Builders/Renters Ad, second place, Gene Durigan Real Estate

• Ad Campaign or Series, second place, Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy

• Multiple Advertiser Ad, Back to School, honorable mention.

• Small Space ad-Koch’s Farm Service-Chick Days, honorable mention.

Carriers

Two carriers won Inter-State Circulation Managers’ Association awards.

The I-SCMA received applications from the PNA (Pennsylvania News Association), Carrier of the Year contest as well as submissions solicited by I-SCMA from other newspapers.

The Times News two winner applications were submitted to PNA and forwarded to I-SCMA. I-SCMA winners and runner ups were selected by a panel solicited by John Mandesh of Advance Local.

Winners and runners up are honored during the Annual Conference on Oct. 13 in Harrisburg Since it would be a haul to come to Harrisburg for lunch on school days, Susan Probst, president of I-SCMA, invited the winners to join her at a luncheon at Bowmanstown Diner on Oct. 2.

The two winners:

• Jonathan Dubow Jr. of Lehighton won the youth category of the I-SCMA 2022 Betty J Way Carrier of the Year Award. He attended the luncheon with his grandmother, and received a plaque and a check for $250.

• Levi Johnson of Palmerton was the runner-up for the youth category. He attended the luncheon with his aunt and received a framed certificate.