January 2017 Eddy winners

Amy Gostkowski is the recipient of the Desk Eddy, but she qualified in all three of our categories. Breaking news happened on Amy’s way to work early one Saturday. A fire at the Woodlands Apartments killed four people, and Amy took a detour to the fire before starting her shift on the Web Desk. She talked to witnesses, and the fire department, and knew that lives had been lost in the blaze. She used her phone to get pictures at the scene. She then came to the office, where she wrote and posted the story, and finished loading the site for the morning. She saved us time and gathered good information in an accurate and timely fashion.

There are two News Eddy winners for the month.

Jon Chavez wins for his weekend coverage of the announcement of the closure of The Andersons’ general stores. This story included an interview with Mike Anderson and CEO Pat Bowe under the strictest of restraints regarding access to employees and the stores. He also had solid follow-up stories focusing on the reasoning behind the decision, customers’ emotional reactions to the loss of another Toledo mainstay, and a Sunday history piece with Dick Anderson.

And, Nick Piotrowicz takes home the second News Eddy for his coverage of the University of Toledo athletic department mishandling of funds and subsequent firing of an assistant athletic director. This is the second month in a row that Nick has won an Eddy. He captured the News Eddy in December for his coverage — more than 16 stories in a week — on the Ohio State bowl front.

The Visual Eddy goes to Jetta Fraser for her photographs and videos during the murder trial of Timothy and Esten Ciboro, the father and son who were convicted of shackling a girl in their basement and raping her and another girl in their home. Though an emotionally draining assignment, Jetta captured the emotion of this horrific trial while having to hear the painful testimony of the young victims.

The winners receive a $50 gas card for their efforts.

Nominations for the February Eddys can be made at any time during the month, but must be to Luann no later than noon on Feb. 28.