The Poway News Chieftain and Rancho Bernardo News Journal won a total of 10 awards, including three first place honors, in the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Chapter 2026 journalism awards competition.
The awards were announced at a June 25 ceremony at Riverwalk Golf Club.
Poway News Chieftain reporter Julie Gallant, editor Susan Gill Vardon and Rancho Bernardo News Journal reporter Elizabeth Marie Himchak won a first place for Series in the nondaily reporting and writing category for “Poway Councilmember Blain resigns a day after voters show support for his recall.”
Himchak won seven other awards:
Arts/Entertainment Story (Performing Arts), third place: “Noel Paul Stookey — of Peter, Paul and Mary — comes to RB”
Arts/Entertainment Story (Visual Arts), third place: “Rancho Bernardo Library exhibit features artist’s ‘Personal Connections’”
Feature Story (Serious Subject), second place: “Celebration of Courage shines spotlight on domestic violence”
Food Story, second place: “Meet Rancho Bernardo Inn’s new executive chef”
Food Story, third place, “Rancho Bernardo to-go senior meal program going strong”
Health Story, second place: “RB woman’s first book focuses on son’s death from fentanyl”
Sports Story, first place, “Poway teacher gearing up to run 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents”
Poway News Chieftain freelancer photographer Criselda Yee won two awards in the Design Elements category.
Feature photo, second place, “Poway’s Christmas in the Park kicks off the holidays”
Feature photo, first place, “One kite chaser actually goes airborne in his quest for the tail” for the Point Loma-OB Monthly