Voice of OC County Reporter Noah Biesiada earned distinction as the Journalist of the Year award across Southern California from the LA Press Club for his stellar work last year, which included coverage of the Irvine Asphalt Factory. the OC Green Power Authority, the Tustin Hangar Fireworkforce investigations, and looking into overworked 911 operators.

Biesiada’s look at Orange County’s 911 operators also received a first place honor for General News, Online.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Norberto Santana, Jr. was recognized for best national political commentary for his column, Santana: Washington Warned Us To Skate Through The National Political Fracas.

Credit: Maximo Santana

Voice of OC competed with news outlets both traditional and online from across Southern California, winning two second place awards in the categories of  Public Service and Local Political Commentary–Online for Pulling Back the Curtain Anaheim Series and Santana: Anaheim Offers Key Lessons on How to Clean Up a City Hall.

Director of Photography Julie Leopo won third place News Photo – Art /Photography,  for her photo, Gentrification is Racism.

For the complete list of award winners, click here.

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