Verona-Cedar Grove Times named best weekly in NJ again

Posted in Awards and Accolades by Lillian M. Ortiz

From left, editorial assistant Joseph Klieber, editor Joshua Jongsma, sports editor Zach Gewelb, and former editor Lillian Ortiz.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Verona-Cedar Grove Times was named best small weekly in New Jersey during the annual New Jersey Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for 2015.

Since Lillian Ortiz became the newspaper’s editor in 2011, the Times has secured more than 100 editorial awards, including the top honor each year.

During this round, Ortiz earned a first-place award for “Editorial Section Layout and Content,” and third place for “Graphics and Illustrations” and “Front Page Layout.”

7Jun2015

The Verona-Cedar Grove Times named best small weekly in New Jersey

Posted in Awards and Accolades by Lillian M. Ortiz

Staffers of the Verona-Cedar Grove Times pose with their

The Verona-Cedar Grove Times team poses with their “General Excellence” award in April. From left, Photographer Adam Anik, Managing Editor Joshua Jongsma, former Sports Editor Chris Leyden, Editor Lillian Ortiz, Editorial Assistant Joe Kleiber, and former Editorial Assistant Carolyn Maso.

For the third consecutive year, the Verona-Cedar Grove Times was named the best small weekly newspaper in New Jersey after earning the “General Excellence” award. The honor was announced in mid-April by the New Jersey Press Association during Press Night in Hamilton, New Jersey.

The Times secured the win after receiving 22 editorial, photography, and layout awards in the NJPA’s 2014 Better Newspaper Contest. In the past three years, the Times has won over 70 awards in the annual contest.

Video interviews with township council candidates from Verona, Cedar Grove

With municipal elections in Verona and Cedar Grove drawing near, we decided to interview all of the candidates on video. The candidates – four in Verona; two in Cedar Grove – were given three minutes to answer each question.

In total, the project consisted of 10 videos that were put together in a little less than a week and a half. While I would have loved to have additional time to put everything together, it was a great learning experience. I can’t wait to work on my next project. I have some new ideas up my sleeves.

The rest of the videos can be found on the Verona-Cedar Grove Times’ YouTube page.

16Mar2015

A look back at my favorite newspaper graphics, packages

Posted in Awards and Accolades, Layout and Design by Lillian M. Ortiz

‘Cedar Grove’s 14.8M referendum at a glance.’ We wanted to strip away all the talk and focus on the numbers. This graphic won a 2014 New Jersey Press Association award for “Fresh Approach to Routine Reporting.”

How high can Cedar Grove athlete David Njoku jump? Pretty high, it turns out. We thought this would be a fun way to illustrate the story. This graphic won a 2014 New Jersey Press Association award.

The Times took a look back at a decade-old movement to secede from the county.

A two-page spread about the hidden gems found at the Verona and Cedar Grove public libraries. The Verona-Cedar Grove Times won a 2014 New Jersey Press Assocation award for this project.

A1 designs for the Verona-Cedar Grove Times

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Verona-Cedar Grove Times – news and editorials

News

1,500 residents lose power in Cedar Grove – Nov. 10, 2015
More details about Verona’s new township manager – Nov. 15, 2015
Investigators look into a suspicious fire at old hospital center – Nov. 6, 2015
New program will help district better understand student achievement – June 1, 2015
Board compares teacher contracts with other districts – May 27, 2015
Cedar Grove residents urged to attend next council meeting – May 31, 2015
Tensions rise during contract discussion – May 8, 2015
Contract negotiations between Cedar Grove Board of Education and teachers union hit a snag – Feb. 14, 2015
Cedar Grove resident’s dash cam captures fireball over New Jersey skies – Jan. 17, 2015
Cedar Grove officials detail upcoming $14.8 million school referendum – Oct. 9, 2014
Cedar Grove Softball Head Coach Ray Vander May resigns – Oct. 9, 2014
Donations: 20 percent of residents contribute to Cedar Grove rescue squad during fund drive – Dec. 12, 2013
FBI arrest man connected to armed robbery at local Subway – June 21, 2013
Cedar Grove BOE: Tentative $27.7M plan approved – March 7, 2013
Cedar Grove Schools: Super to retire in June – Feb. 28, 2013
Verona High School alum to register as sex offender – Feb. 21, 2013
Additional fields available for athletics – March 7, 2013
Verona Township Manager disappointed with results of organic field treatments
Utility company focuses on restoring power to Cedar Grove’s South End – Nov. 4, 2012
50 percent of homes, businesses in Verona still without power – Nov. 4, 2012
Cedar Grove mayor says less than 1,000 residents without power – Nov. 2, 2012
Verona, Cedar Grove schools expected to open Monday – Nov. 2, 2012
Power restored to 98 percent of Cedar Grove homes – Nov. 2, 2012
Wires down all over town; much of Verona without power after Sandy – Oct. 30, 2012
Bob Pityo, the longest serving member of the Cedar Grove Rotary Club – Nov. 3, 2012

Editorial writing

Watch to watch out for in 2016 – Dec. 31, 2015
Thank you for sharing your stories with us – Dec. 24, 2015
If there’s surplus, give it back to the taxpayers – Dec. 13, 2015
First-year review of PARCC testing – Nov. 29, 2015
More busing means increased cost to taxpayers – Nov. 16, 2015
Everyone’s job performance should be reviewed – Oct. 12, 2015
Council majority should have no excuses after Martin’s resignation – July 24, 2015
Three weeks later, still no charges after burglary-related arrests – June 14, 2015
Every public body should post its meetings online – May 31, 2015
Will Cedar Grove schools lose funding? – March 31
Discussion about library director’s raise wasn’t handled well – Feb. 20, 2015
The game that should have been played – Dec. 7, 2014
Cops with Coffee program should be implemented – Nov. 16, 2014
Opening community center can help curb underage drinking – Oct. 29, 2014
Can Cedar Grove afford $14.8M referendum? – Oct. 22, 2014
Talking to kids about sexual abuse – Oct. 12, 2014
Verona PBA concerns require immediate attention – Aug. 1, 2014
Ordinances should be available online – July 18, 2014
Death at Peckman River should spark safety concern – June 30, 2014
Keeping the public informed about police matters – June 2, 2014
Dissecting the honor roll – Feb. 10, 2014
A March referendum is the wrong move – Jan. 14, 2014
New venture could help local businesses, taxpayers – Nov. 11, 2013
State plans school security mandates; good only in theory? – Sept. 10, 2013
Dirty politics in Verona? – July 25, 2013
Gone too soon – July 18, 2013
One vote, no recount – May 24, 2013
More mandates, little explanation – May 20, 2013
A social media success and FAIL – April 25, 2013