Newsday wins 22 awards at PCLI ceremony

Newsday reporter Rick Brand, who has exposed politics, delusions and irony in government for 34 years, was honored Thursday as the 2012 Outstanding Long Island Journalist by the Press Club of Long Island.

"What this says to me is that the Long Island Press Club recognizes the value of strong beat reporting," Brand said. "Strong beat reporting is the bricks and mortar of any strong news organization."

His stories ranged from Santa's firing by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's administration to the corruption-related downfall of Republican "rock star" John Powell.

But even though he wrote about public officials' foibles and scandals, they never stopped calling with the latest gossip.

"Readers know that a Rick Brand byline means they're getting a story based on deep and broad understanding of the Long Island political scene," said Deborah Henley, editor of Newsday. "And political insiders know that Rick gets the real story."

The award recognized his accomplishments throughout his career.

Brand was among the journalists feted during the club's 2012 award ceremony Thursday night at the Woodbury Country Club.

Newsday collected 22 awards, including 10 first-place prizes in the dailies category:

Deadline news, "Friendly Fire," Newsday staff

Non-deadline news, "Fat Cats: Hempstead Animal Shelter," Will Van Sant

Non-local news features, "Child of War: Hope on LI," Martin C. Evans

Feature/Lifestyle, "9/11 Family Keepsakes," Newsday staff

Arts coverage, "Just the Way He Is," Glenn Gamboa

Environment/Science/Health /Technology, "Health Columns," Delthia Ricks

Business/Economic/Financial Reporting, "Why We Pay and Pay," Tom Incantalupo, Ted Phillips

Editorial commentary, "Chasing Mental Illness -- and Feeling Helpless," Anne Michaud

General Interest Humor Column, "The Cash Before the Storm," Paula Ganzi Licata

Photography/News Features, "Candlelight Vigil for Car Crash Victim in East Quogue," Thomas Ferrara

Newsday's website garnered 11 prizes, including six first-place awards in the online category:

Best news blog, LI Now, staff of Newsday and newsday.com

Business/Economic/Financial Reporting, "Voters Reject New Coliseum Plan," newsday.com staff

Editorial commentary, "Balancing Act: Get the U.S. Out of the Red," newsday.com staff

Photography, "Iraqi 4-year-old Boy on LI for Facial Surgery," J. Conrad Williams Jr., Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Video, "Marisa: A Little Girl's Fight To Live," Alejandra Villa, Arnold Miller

Multimedia project, "9/11 Anniversary A Decade Later," staff of Newsday, newsday.com

News 12 Long Island, owned by Newsday's parent company Cablevision, won 19 awards, including seven first-place awards in the television category:

Breaking news, "Erin Colton vs. Hurricane Irene," Erin Colton, Charles Malicki, Alain Tingue

Non-deadline news, "Search for a Serial Killer," Lauren Sivan, Debi Gade, News 12 Long Island staff

Feature/Lifestyle, "Fighting Spirit," Virginia Huie, David Garden

Environment/Science/Health/Technology, "Ride for Life," Elizabeth Hashagen, Brian Jingeleski

Business/Economic/Financial Reporting, "Hidden Treasures," Antoinette Biordi, David Rahner

Public Affairs, "Fallen Heroes," Virginia Huie, News12 Long Island staff

Sports, "Sled Hockey," Christine Insinga, Brian Jingeleski

MSG Varsity won three awards, including one first-place prize:

Sports, stories of North Shore women's basketball coach, James Crepea

With James T. Madore