Two New Times investigative series were selected as winners in the 2002 John Bartlow Martin Awards, sponsored by Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. First place went to "Fallout," a look at the U.S. Navy's radioactive legacy in the Bay Area by SF Weekly's Lisa Davis. Phoenix New Times staff writer Amy Silverman captured third place for her special series "Slammed," which exposed abuses in Arizona's juvenile justice system. Sandwiched between them was Katherine Boo, former managing editor of Washington City Paper, for her story in The New Yorker on welfare mothers.
Jill Mogen, advertising director of the Seattle Weekly, has left her position, David Schneiderman, CEO of Village Voice Media, says. Mogen had been at the newspaper for more than 11 years and was the first president of the Alternative Weekly Network in 1996-97. It is the second management shakeup at a West Coast VVM paper this month and follows Alisa Cromer's resignation as publisher of Seattle Weekly in November. Schneiderman has said he wants to spend more time personally managing Seattle Weekly and LA/OC Weekly. Cromer is now with Metro Newspapers on an interim basis.
Jim Kaplan leaves Metro Silicon Valley to return to LA and OC Weekly as classified advertising director. Kaplan helped build LA Weekly's classified section 20 years ago. Now he returns to take charge of the department, which includes personals.
Longtime New Times exec Lee Newquist is the new owner of Fort Worth Weekly. Newquist bought the paper from his now-former employer, ending a 19-year career with the Phoenix-based chain. Prior to the sale, Newquist was executive vice president of operations for New Times and publisher of both Fort Worth Weekly and the Dallas Observer.
Michael Sigman will replace Judy Jablonski as publisher of LA Weekly and OC Weekly at the end of this year. Jablonski is starting her own media consulting firm and takes the two alt pubs with her as her first clients.
Jeff Cole has joined Village Voice Media as national account executive. Cole has both trade and alternative publishing experience and will focus on national sales for all the seven papers in the company.
