The awards for work published in 2016 were announced Thursday evening at the 29th annual Gruner Awards ceremony at the Fresno Art Museum.

Fresno State’s Department of Media, Communications and Journalism coordinates the competition named for George F. Gruner, a Fresno Bee executive editor who retired in 1988.

Award nominations (100 entries this years from 21 Valley newspapers) were evaluated by out of state judges. Last year the contest was expanded to include more categories besides public service.

This year’s winners are:

Public Service

First Place

    •    Andrea Castillo, Barbara Anderson and BoNhia Lee, Fresno Bee, for their piece on “Living in misery.” Judges’ comments: This is a thoughtfully conceived and professionally executed examination of the grim choices facing tenants who are forced to live in Fresno’s low-cost rental units. The stories tell of great human hardship while also unearthing the historic and statistical patterns that created these problems — and the inaction that allows them to continue. The reporters demonstrate how important stories can be developed with both the head and the heart.
    •    Jim Houck, Juan Villa, Luis Hernandez and Calley Cederlof, Tulare Advance-Register, on “Tulare Regional Medical Center.” Judges’ comments: The failure of this medical center to finish its construction as scheduled or to keep its financial house in order was a complicated story — and the in-depth work by this team of reporters was unsparing. The newspaper gave readers the project’s history, explained market forces, exposed internal politics and documented financial manipulations. This coverage could not have been done with one side v. the other side interviews — it required patient digging and clear explanations.
    •    Vikaas Shanker, Los Banos Enterprise, on “Disjointed Los Banos school board.” Judges’ comments: At some point in their careers, most reporters will find themselves reporting on a school board or city council that is riven by politics and personalities. This reporter did a noteworthy job of giving readers a clear back story and getting down to the issues, the missteps and the consequences to the schools and the community they serve. Yes, it’s a mess — and the newspaper helped us understand why.

Honorable Mention
    •    Joseph Luiz and Laura Brown, Selma-Kingsburg Enterprise-Recorder
    •    Greg Little, Mariposa Gazette

News Story

First Place

    •    Harold Pierce, John Cox and Steven Mayer, The Bakersfield Californian
    •    Mike Eiman, The Hanford Sentinel
    •    Morgan Voorhis, Sierra Star

Honorable Mention

    •    Tim Sheehan and Marc Benjamin, The Fresno Bee
    •    Rob Parsons, Michelle Morgante, Brianna Calix and Monica Velez, Merced Sun-Star
    •    Laura Brown, Selma-Kingsburg Enterprise-Recorder

Feature Story

First Place

    •    Jennifer Self and Robert Price, The Bakersfield Californian
    •    Michelle Morgante, Merced Sun-Star
    •    Morgan Voorhis, Sierra Star

Honorable mention

    •    Julissa Zavala, Porterville Recorder
    •    Jackson Moore, Dinuba Sentinel

Columns

First Place

    •    Lois Henry, The Bakersfield Californian
    •    Eric Woomer, Visalia Times-Delta
    •    Greg Little, Mariposa Gazette

Editorials

First Place

    •    Bill McEwen, The Fresno Bee
    •    Mike Dunbar, Merced Sun-Star
    •    Brian Wilkinson, Sierra Star

Sports Story

First Place

    •    Jeff Evans, The Bakersfield Californian
    •    Nayirah Dosu, The Porterville Recorder
    •    Matt Johnson, Mariposa Gazette

Honorable Mention

    •    Marek Warszawski, The Fresno Bee
    •    Shawn Jensen, Merced Sun-Star
    •    Sean Lynch, Los Banos Enterprise

Best Sports Photo

First Place

    •    Andrew Kuhn, Merced Sun-Star
    •    Craig Kohlruss, The Fresno Bee
    •    Gene Lieb, Los Banos Enterprise

Honorable Mention

    •    Wendy Alexander, The Madera Tribune
    •    Felix Adamo, The Bakersfield Californian
    •    Keven J. Geaney, The Dinbua Sentinel,

Best News Photo

First Place

    •    Gene Lieb, Los Banos Enterprise
    •    Ron Holman, Visalia Times-Delta
    •    Felix Adamo, The Bakersfield Californian

Honorable Mention

    •    Morgan Voorhis, Sierra Star
    •    Craig Kohlruss, The Fresno Bee
    •    Andrew Kuhn, Merced Sun-Star