Observer editor wins award

Dallas Observer editor Julie Lyons has won the Unity Award in editorial writing for a series of four columns published in 1997 on problems in the Dallas Independent School District. The Unity Awards in Media, sponsored by Lincoln University of Missouri, honor outstanding coverage of minority issues.

Lyons' column "Bully power," published January 30, brought home the chaos of DISD meetings torn by race baiting. "Bring on the noise," from February 27, profiled some of the hecklers who disrupted the board meetings. "His own man," published May 29, profiled new board member Ron Price. "City of ignorance," from September 25, came after Superintendent Yvonne Gonzalez tendered her resignation, and discussed how racial arguments rather than facts swayed her supporters.

The is the second consecutive year an Observer staff member has won a Unity Award. Staff writer Miriam Rozen won in the investigative reporting category last year.