Salem-News.com's Kevin Hays Wins Oregon Associated Press Award

Hays is recognized by the Oregon Associated Press as Oregon’s "Best Contributor" for 2005

Kevin Hays, Salem-New.com's award-winning News Director

(PORTLAND - AP) -

KEX radio and KATU-TV, both of Portland, won "Overall Excellence" honors in the 2005 Oregon Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards. And KOPT radio and KEZI-TV, both in Eugene, won the "Overall Excellence" honors, outside the Portland metropolitan area. But that's not the big news for Salem. Kevin Hays was our big winner Saturday night when the awards were announced at the annual banquet in Portland.

KXL radio, of Portland, and KQEN, of Roseburg, won "Best Newscast" awards in the large-market radio and smaller-market categories, respectively. KATU-TV also won "Best Newscast" in the large-market television category. KEZI-TV won "Best Newscast" among stations licensed outside the Portland metropolitan area.

And KIHR radio won "Best One-Person Shop."

A relatively new category for the AP awards is "Best Contributor." That award goes to the person who consistently helps the AP with stories and tips. And the winner for 2005 is Kevin Hays, of Salem-News.com. Hays is now also doing daily reports from Salem for KEX radio.

Oregon Associated Press Broadcast Editor Annie Shooman said, "This year`s winner regularly contacts me to let me know what is happening in his area. He is not only a wonderful writer, but knows what the AP needs. The winner for the best contributor this year is Kevin Hays, who works for Salem-News.com, and is now doing daily reports from Salem for KEX radio in Portland. Kevin, come on down and get the plaque you so deserve."

Hays, who didn`t even know that he was winning the award, said he hopes that by winning it shows visitors to Salem-News.com and to those who listen to his reports on KEX just how dedicated he is to giving Salem-area residents the best news in town.

"I hope that by winning this award, those who read or hear my stories know that I`m giving it 100 percent. I try so, so hard to make sure my stories are accurate and well written, but also show Oregon what a GREAT CITY SALEM IS. I share this award with my fellow staff, my family, and also the whole Salem-area community, and I will continue to focus on the positive stories that make Salem what it is AWESOME!"

Hays also wishes to thank the AP for the award, and that the other awards handed out during the ceremony show that Oregon has the BEST radio and television news organizations anywhere in the U.S.

The Oregon AP Broadcasters Awards recognize the best in broadcast journalism each year.

And the Winners Are:

RADIO:

OVERALL EXCELLENCE:

DIVISION ONE (Stations in Portland market)

1st Place: KEX

2nd Place: KPAM

3rd Place: KOPB

DIVISION TWO (Stations outside of Portland market)

1st Place: KOPT-AM

TELEVISION

OVERALL EXCELLENCE:

DIVISION ONE: (Stations in Portland market)

1st Place: KATU-TV

2nd Place: KGW-TV

3rd Place: KPTV-TV

DIVISION TWO:

1st Place: KEZI-TV

2nd Place: KTVL-TV

3rd Place: KMTR-TV

BEST NEWSCAST:

RADIO

DIVISION ONE:

1st Place: KXL

2nd Place: KEX

3rd Place: KOPB

DIVISION TWO

1st Place: KQEN

TELEVISION

DIVISION ONE

1st Place: KATU-TV

2nd Place: KGW-TV

3rd Place: KPTV-TV

DIVISION TWO

1st Place: KEZI-TV

2nd Place: KTVL-TV

3rd Place: KVAL-TV

RADIO

BEST BREAKING NEWS

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KEX, "Amtrak Train Derails," Steve Lindsley, Michael Desmond, Jim McLaren, Gina Parosa

2nd PLACE: KPAM, "Fort Clatsop Fire," Bill Gallagher, Pat Boyle, Tim Hohl

3rd PLACE: KEX, "Mount St. Helens," Brooks Burford, Jim McLaren, Michael Desmond, Melanie Mesaros

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KQEN, "New Year's Eve Flooding," Brian Prawitz, Kyle Bailey

2nd PLACE: KOPT, "Live Standoff," Sarah Ferren, Sean Schoppe

BEST TREATMENT-SINGLE SUBJECT

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KOPB-FM, "The Wounds of War," Kristian Foden-Vencil, Allison Frost, Christy George, Peter Springer

2nd PLACE: KEX, "NW Response to Hurricane Katrina," Robert Kennedy, Michael Desmond, Jim McLaren, Neal Penland, Marie Dodds, Melanie Mesaros, Brooks Burford

3rd PLACE: KXL, "Making the Call," Steve Leader

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KLCC, "Poverty and Health," Sean Bowditch, Marianne Parsons, Tripp Sommer, editor

2nd PLACE: KPNW, "Veterans Day," Nancy Steel

3rd PLACE: KQEN, "Covering the Commissioners," Brian Prawitz

BEST NEWS WRITING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KOPB, "Assisted Suicide Surprises," Colin Fogarty

2nd PLACE: KPAM, "State Fossil," Mark Provost

3rd PLACE: KXL, "Jail Survey," Lacey Evans

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KQEN, "Murphy Plywood Fire," Brian Prawitz

2nd PLACE: KOPT, "Shooting," Sarah Ferren

3rd PLACE: KOPT, "Katrina Guard," Sarah Ferren

BEST TRAFFIC

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KPAM, Gina Ryder, Brien Morris, Tim Hohl

2nd PLACE: KEX, Michael Convery, Lynn Masterson, Steve Lindsley, Mark Workhoven

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KPNW, "KPNW Traffic Team," Ronny Terrell, Michael Fleming

BEST SPORTS REPORTING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KPAM, "Maurice Cheeks Fired," Ron Callan and KPAM News Team

2nd PLACE: KXL, "KXL Sports," Jay Allen, Todd Mansfield, Bobby Corser, Bobby DeBisschop, Anthony Newman, Rob Closs

3rd PLACE: KEX, "Best Sports," Scott Lynn

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KQEN, "Covering all the Bases," Brian Prawitz

2nd PLACE: KIHR, "Hood River High School Sports," Mark Bailey

BEST USE OF SOUND

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KEX, "A Day At The Park," Scott Lynn

2nd PLACE: KEX, "Sounds of Season," Michael Desmond

3rd PLACE: KOPB, "Fort Clatsop Rebuilt," Colin Fogarty

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KQEN, "Going to Jail," Brian Prawitz

2nd PLACE: KLCC, "Fluoridation," Ann Dornfeld, Tripp Sommer, editor

BEST COMMENTARY

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KXL, "City of Springfield Eviction," Lars Larson

2nd PLACE: KEX, "Ticket Choices," Scott Lynn

3rd PLACE: KXL, "Titty Twister," Todd Mansfield

BEST FEATURE

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KOPB-FM, "Where's Molly?," Colin Fogarty, Allison Frost

2nd PLACE: KPAM, "Moose on the Loose," Tim Hohl

3rd PLACE: KEX, "Mount St. Helens Erupts," Michael Desmond

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KOPT, "Road to Recovery," Sarah Ferren

2nd PLACE: KLCC, "Totem Carver," Sean Bowditch, Tripp Sommer, editor

BEST INVESTIGATIVE

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KQEN, "Racism at Rice Hill," Brian Prawitz

BEST WEB SITE:

DIVISION ONE: KEX.com

DIVISION TWO: KIHR.com

TELEVISION

DIVISION ONE:

BEST OVERALL: KATU-TV

BEST NEWSCAST: KATU-TV

BEST BREAKING NEWS

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Storm Team," KATU Staff, Mike Rausch, news director

2nd PLACE: KGW, "January Storm," Rod Gramer, news director

3rd Place: KPTV, "Nike Air Scare," Brooke Carlson, Staff

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KVAL 13, "Icy Roads," Carla Castano, Joel Kempff, Bill Goetz (GETS)

2nd PLACE: KVAL 13, "River Drowning," Carla Castano, Loren Ruark

3rd PLACE: KVAL 13, "December Flooding," News Staff

BEST FEATURE: Series

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KGW, "Health Reporting," Stephanie Stricklen

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Business Reporting," Joe Smith

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Lost Lives," Laural Porter

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KMTR, "Trim the Fat," Kelli Warner, Michael Turner

2nd PLACE: KVAL, "Wireless World," Dana Rebik, Eric Brugger

3rd PLACE: KMTR, "I Dare Dave," Dave Wenda, Kevin Lund

BEST FEATURE: SINGLE STORY

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Snacking Sea Lions," Grant McOmie, Mike Rosborough

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Where's Molly?" Laural Porter, Kurt Austin

3rd PLACE: KATU, "MSH Survivors," Grant McOmie, Bryon Garvin

BEST FEATURE: SINGLE STORY

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KEZI, "Gene Marshall _ Reedsport," Rick Dancer

2nd PLACE: KEZI, Jim Gibbs_ Yachats," Rick Dancer

3rd PLACE: KEZI, "Special Buick," Al Peterson

BEST HARD NEWS: SINGLE STORY

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KMTR, "Sex Offender," Kelli Warner, Barry Thompson

2nd PLACE: KMTR, "Meth House Makeover," Monica Guza, Barry Thompson, Scott Dodge

3rd PLACE: KTVL, "Cyber Predator," Libby Dowsett

BEST HARD NEWS: Continuing Coverage

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KVAL, "December Flooding," NEWS Staff

2nd PLACE: KDRV, "Growing Pains," Tim Conroy

BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Dan Doyle Investigation," Eric Mason, Gino Corridori

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Too Sick?" Pat Dooris, Scott Williams

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Trashing Your Identity," Bruce Sussman, Kurt Austin

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KVAL-TV, "Firehouse Mold," Dana Rebik, Alan Dale

2nd PLACE: KEZI-TV, "Bullies," Rick Dancer

BEST NEWS WRITING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Casualties of War," Anna Song

2nd PLACE: KPTV, "Last Letters," Jim Hyde

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Cheating Death," Stephanie Stricklen

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KEZI, "Gene Marshall," Rick Dancer

2nd PLACE: KEZI, "Sun River Circles,"

3rd PLACE: KDRV, "Coffee Bean Boom,"

BEST HARD NEWS: SINGLE SUBJECT

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Intoxicating Education,"

2nd PLACE: KATU, "Sandy River Eco-Terrorism,"

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Cyberstalker," Pat Dooris, Brian Robertson

BEST HARD NEWS: CONTINUING COVERAGE

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KGW, "Mount St. Helens," Rod Gramer, Sally Ramirez, KGW Staff

2nd PLACE: KPTV, "Mexican Meth," Jamie Wilson

3rd PLACE: KATU, "Qyntel Woods," Shellie Bailey-Shah

BEST PHOTOJOURNALIST

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KPTV, "Choppers," Kevin Simmons

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Ford Truck Fire," Kristen Henderson

3rd PLACE: KGW, "I-5 Accident," Chris Hamilton

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KEZI, "Dock Dogs," Carly Danek

2nd PLACE: KEZI, "Civil War Reenactment,"

3rd PLACE: KDRV, "Night Light,"

EXCELLENCE IN PHOTOGRAPHY

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KGW, "Cancer Salon," Steve Redlin

2nd PLACE: KGW, "The Sherwood Toymaker," Kurt Austin

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Bear on the Run," Jim Culp

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KMTR, "Autzen Tour," Kevin Lund

2nd PLACE: KMTR, "Foosball," Kevin Lund

3rd PLACE: KVAL, "A Compilation of 3 Stories," Doug Schwindt

BEST SPECIAL or DOCUMENTARY:

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KPTV, "Meth Watch," Corey Hanson, Staff

2nd PLACE: KATU, "Casualties of War," Anna Song

3rd PLACE: KGW, "Hope & Help," John Becker, Lisa Helderop

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KTVL, "Crimestoppers Special Report," Janie Porter, Libby Dowsett

2nd PLACE: KVAL, "Oregon Classic Golf Preview," Sports Team

3rd PLACE: KEZI, "Oregon Football 2005," Joe Giansante

BEST WEATHERCAST

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU, "Rod & Rhonda,"

2nd PLACE: KPTV, "Mark Nelson,"

3rd PLACE: Tie: KATU, KATU, "Rod Hill, Rhonda Shelby"

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KMTR, "Best Weather," Joseph Calbreath

2nd PLACE: KDRV, "Best Weather," Scott Lewis

3rd PLACE: KVAL, "Best Weather," Tim Chuey

BEST SPORTS REPORTING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KGW, "Tale of Two Boxers," Laural Porter, Kurt Austin

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Sunflower Seed Shortage," Ron Pivo, Brian Warner

3rd PLACE: KATU, "Child's Play _ What Parents Pay," Ron Carlson, Mike Rosborough

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KEZI, "Reclaiming Autzen," Joe Giansante

2nd PLACE: KEZI, "Putting the 'O' Back in Oregon," Michael Berk

3rd PLACE: KVAL, "Dad vs Son," Dirk Weishaar

BEST SPORTSCAST

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KPTV, "Tim Becker,"

2nd PLACE: KGW, "Ron Pivo's Sports,"

3rd PLACE: KATU, "Katy Brown,"

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KDRV, "NewsWatch 12 Sports," Sam Adams

2nd PLACE: KDRV, "Kyle Jordan,"

3rd PLACE: KEZI, "Michael Berk,"

BEST TRAFFIC REPORTING

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KGW, "Traffic on the 8's" Michael Convery, Brian Sonnier

2nd PLACE: KPTV, "Best Traffic Reporting," Tony Martinez, Daryl Mitchell

BEST WEBSITE

DIVISION ONE:

1st PLACE: KATU.com

2nd PLACE: KGW.com

DIVISION TWO:

1st PLACE: KTVL.com

2nd PLACE: KMTR.com

3rd PLACE: KDRV.com