By Sarah Hall

Editor

Staffers at Eagle News recently received awards at the state and local level for excellence in journalism.

At the New York Publishers’ Association (NYPA) Spring Convention, held April 8 and 9 in Saratoga, Ashley M. Casey and Sarah Hall, reporter and editor, respectively, for the Eagle Star-Review and Baldwinsville Messenger, were honored for excellence in human interest features.

Casey received second place for her story “Joe B.’s last stop,” from the Star-Review, about a retiring mailman who had spent decades on the same route.

Meanwhile, Hall received an honorable mention for “Good things come to those who wait,” about a Facebook page seeking to find homes for dogs who had been in shelters for months or even years.

Hall and Casey were also honored at the more recent Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards, held April 30 at Drumlins Country Club. Casey’s “Joe B.’s last stop” earned first place among non-daily human interest features.

Hall took both first and second place in the editorial category. Earning top honors was her editorial “Opting out sends a strong message — but will Albany hear it?” She took second place for her piece, “Town had no business writing petition for residents,” which criticized the town of Lysander for writing a petition on behalf of a small portion of residents seeking to create a water district.

Eagle Bulletin and Cazenovia Republican reporter Hayleigh Gowans was also recognized at the Syracuse Press Club event. She took second place in the spot news category for her story, “Jamesville dog rescued after falling into crevice.”

Gowans was also one of the press club’s Club Award winners, having been named the A. Brohmann Roth Newcomer of the Year. The honor is given to someone who has started their journalism career within the last three years and demonstrated excellence in the field.

Eagle News publisher David Tyler said he was pleased to see Gowans win the award.

“I’m really proud of Hayleigh,” Tyler said. “She’s been a really big contributor to our team and has done a great job of digging out interesting and important stories in the eastern suburbs. We’re very lucky to have her.”