Siderius, Stuertz Win Awards

Dallas Observer staff writers Charles Siderius and Mark Stuertz have been named winners in one of the most prestigious national contests for feature writers, the University of Missouri Lifestyle Journalism Awards. Siderius won in the consumer category for "Garbage In, Garbage Out," a May 16, 2002, cover story that exposed massive irregularities in Dallas' recycling program, which is run by a private contractor. Food writer Mark Stuertz took top honors for "Tropic of Groceries," an August 8, 2002, story that dissected the high-concept marketing behind the new Central Market store.

Also, Observer columnist Jim Schutze was named a finalist in the Paul L. Myhre single story category for "The Orphan Chronicles," a tale of orphans from the Buckner Children's Home. This is the first time the Observer has won two Missouri Lifestyle awards in the same year.

The Dallas Morning News won a Missouri Lifestyle award for general excellence in its circulation class.

In another recent contest, staff writer Thomas Korosec took home several honors in the Houston Press Club's Lone Star Awards, a statewide journalism contest. Korosec won first place in business reporting for "Enough to Make You Sick," a September 26, 2002, story that exposed inequities in the way asbestos lawsuit settlements are handled. Korosec was also named runner-up for Print Journalist of the Year (the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Jennifer Autrey took top honors), and he and former staff writer Rose Farley placed second in investigative reporting for their April 25, 2002, cover story, "Sweetheart Deal."

Also in the Lone Star Awards, Julie Lyons won first place in the sports story category for her September 5, 2002, profile of Michael Irvin, "Back in Bounds." Staff writer John Gonzalez took second place for sports commentary; Carlton Stowers placed second in the feature story category; and Jim Schutze took second place for general commentary for one of his columns.