Bradenton Herald reporters collect 7 Florida Press Club awards

HOLLYWOOD -- The Bradenton Herald collected seven Florida Press Club awards at a banquet Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

Herald reporters Amaris Castillo and Richard Dymond shared first place in the Class C minority reporting category in the 63rd Annual Excellence in Journalism Competition Awards, for a series of stories of about a Honduran immigrant child.

Jessica De Leon and Castillo shared first place in the breaking news category for coverage of the Avalos triple murder case last December.

"Congratulations to our staff for the hard work they and their colleagues put in each day for readers of the Bradenton Herald and Bradenton.com," said Metro/Online Editor Marc Masferrer. "They don't do it for the awards, but I know that is gratifying for them to be honored for their work."

Other Herald award winners include:

Serious feature writing: Mark Young, second place, for stories about the Bradenton "flag house;"  a retired guide dog; and military veterans remembering their service during Christmastime

Minority reporting: Claire Aronson, third place for coverage of the historically black community of Rubonia

Commentary: Marty Clear, third place, for columns on the local arts scene

Sports feature writing: Alan Dell, third place, for coverage of the local sports scene

General news: Kate Irby, honorable mention, for stories about Gov. Rick Scott's "secret" visit to a local elementary school; a human trafficking survivor; and a woman with ALS who says using marijuana is keeping her alive

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton Herald reporters collect 7 Florida Press Club awards ."