Four Macomb Daily staffers recently received honors from the Society of Professional Journalists in their annual competition.

All were awarded in the Print Class B division for mid-sized daily newspapers. The Macomb Daily winners included:

• Multimedia journalist Susan Smiley was awarded a second place honor in Community/Local News with her story titled, “Water Tower: votes delays and demolition regarding the controversy around the St. Clair Shores water tower demolition” and a first place award in the Consumer Watchdog category for her story “Resident questions ‘In God We Trust’ police stickers” where a St. Clair Shores resident wanted more information on the In God We Trust stickers used by the police department. Judges said, “A great story tracking down the evidence and concerns behind a citizen complaint.”

• Multimedia journalist Gina Joseph was awarded fourth place in the Education Reporting category for “Teacher Shortage: an in-depth story looking at the need for teachers. She also received a third place award in the Environment reporting category for her story titled, “Protecting Michigan’s freshwater resources” an in-depth look at the Great Lakes and the efforts to protect the water resources they offer.

• Multimedia journalist Jamie Cook received second place in the Explanatory Story category for his story ‘Agency’s visibility rises amid crisis’ looking at the fact that there is more interest in the Macomb County Community Mental Health agency is higher than ever before due to the rising awareness of mental-health issues.

• Multimedia journalist Mitch Hotts received third place in the Explanatory Story category for his story “A bigger hammer.”

• Page production was recognized with staffers Jeff Hoard earning first place in Inside Page Design for his page B3 layout on Nov. 19, 2023 titled “Imagination at Play’ leading into the annual toy testing section run by The Macomb Daily annually to provide parents with toy ideas for the holiday season’ and Emily Ridener earning second place for her A1 page design on the Detroit Lions winning the division championship.

Other Michigan MediaNews Group publications were recognized at the event which was held May 16 at the San Marino Club in Troy, with the Oakland Press receiving seven awards, the Dearborn Press and Guide receiving four awards and The News-Herald taking home one.