Read the Ocala Gazette’s award-winning stories

Looking to read the Ocala Gazette’s award-winning stories from 2023? Look no further.

On Friday, the Gazette received eight 1st place awards at the Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest.

These awards represent the hard work done by our devoted staff to keep our community informed with accuracy, timeliness, ethicality and transparency.

Notably, the Gazette staff was awarded The Jon A. Roosenraad First Amendment Defense Award for the second year in a row. This award is given to a news organization that has worked to keep government open and accessible to citizens and the press, and who actively defends the principles of the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.

Read the stories and view the photos that shaped our community here:

– Community Service, 1st Place in Division BC:

Fire Fee Refund series, by Jennifer Hunt Murty

– First Amendment Defense, (Jon A. Rossenraad Award) 1st place:

Transparency and cooperation from government, by Ocala Gazette Editorial Board

– General News Story (Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award) 1st place:

Justice for AJ Owens, by Julie Garisto and Bruce Ackerman

– Breaking News, 1st Place in Division B:

Paddock Mall shooting in Ocala, by Ocala Gazette Staff

– Education News, 1st Place in Division B:

School impact fee, by Caroline Brauchler and Jennifer Hunt Murty

– Roads & Transportation, 1st Place in Division B:

The price of Buc-ee’s, by Caroline Brauchler

– Spot News Photo, 1st Place in Division B:

Grieving mother, by Bruce Ackerman

Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, is consoled by a woman as Abdul’s grandfather, Cole Croskey, left, holds her hand and consoles her during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and DÕamonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and DÕamonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year’s Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

North Marion’s Elija Walton (2) hangs on the rim after dunking on Dunnellon’s Eli Nelson (21) during a basketball game at North Marion High School in Citra, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. The Colts defeated the Tigers 66-51. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

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