The Florida Press Association named Florida Weekly the best weekly newspapers in the state after the newspapers garnered 28 journalism prizes at the annual association awards program on July 21st, 2023 in Sarasota. This is the eighth time Florida Weekly has won the state’s top award.
This year, in the category for weekly newspapers with circulation above 15,000, Florida Weekly writers, designers and editors won 13 first place, eight second place and seven third place awards.
“Our editorial and design teams constantly strive to find new ways to connect with our 200,000 readers,” said Betty Wells, interim executive editor. “It’s very gratifying for us to be recognized for our outstanding work in telling the stories of the communities we serve.”
Florida Weekly was founded in 2007. Last year, the Hoffmann Family of Companies acquired the nine newspapers in the group from the founders.
The Florida Press Association’s Weekly Newspaper Contest is open to monthly, semi- monthly, weekly, semiweekly and tri-weekly newspaper members.
For more information and to see the stories and photos that were cited, see floridamediacontests.com.
First Place Awards
1. Better Weekly Sweepstakes — Division A (aka Best Weekly Newspaper)
2. Community Service — Division ABC — Cindy Pierce
3. Hurricane Coverage- General News Story — Division A — Laura Tichy
4. General News Story (Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award) — Division A — Mary Wozniak
5. Investigative Reporting (Claudia Ross Memorial Award) — Division A — Mary Wozniak
6. Feature Story: Non-profile — Division A — Roger Williams
7. Hurricane Feature Story — Division A — Laura Tichy
8. Arts, Entertainment & Review Reporting — Division A — Mary Wozniak
9. Business Reporting — Division A — Mary Wozniak
10. State & Local Tax Reporting (The Tax Watch Award) — Division A — Roger Williams
11. Community History — Division A — Roger Williams
12. Spot News Photo — Division A — Kinfay Moroti
13. Photo Series in One Issue — Division A — Kinfay Moroti
Second Place Awards
1. Community Service — Division ABC — Laura Tichy
2. General News Story (Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award) — Division A — Laura Tichy
3. Investigative Reporting (Claudia Ross Memorial Award) — Division A — Laura Tichy
4. In Depth Reporting (Non-Investigative) — Division A — Laura Tichy
5. Roads & Transportation — Division A — Mary Wozniak
6. Best Obituary — Division A — Roger Williams
7. Sports Feature Story — Division A — Glenn Miller
8. Overall Graphic Design — Division A — Staff
Third Place Awards
1. In-Depth Reporting (Non-Investigative) — Division A — Roger Williams
2. Faith & Family Reporting — Division A — Roger Williams
3. Roads & Transportation — Division A — Staff
4. Local Government Reporting — Division A — Laura Tichy
5. Agricultural & Environmental Reporting — Division A — Laura Tichy
6. Best Obituary — Division A — Nancy Stetson
7. Health, Science & Medical Reporting — Division A — Robin DeMattia
The Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies) has officially acquired JED Transportation of St. Louis, Missouri (LOI announced March of 2023), the largest transportation provider in the St. Louis metropolitan area while simultaneously acquiring a third, bolt-on, St. Louis transportation company, Corporate Transportation.
Since its founding in 1967, JED Transportation has become the largest and most respected luxury transportation provider in St. Louis, Missouri. Focused primarily on corporate, airline crew, sports teams, universities, and wedding transportation logistics, the JED full fleet of over 70 vehicles including sedans, SUVs, Vans, Mini-buses, Coaches, School busses, and limousines, meets all the needs of diverse customer base. The addition of Corporate Transportation further expands offerings and services to the mix.
“Aligning the JED Brand with the Hoffmann Family of Companies is a Once-in-a- Lifetime opportunity” says Vince Schneider, Chief Managing Member of the JED Companies.
JED Transportation and Corporate Transportation joins a growing portfolio of HF Companies in the Business Services sector aimed at providing a one-stop solution for corporations and event planners. In the St. Louis market, JED & Corporate Transportation is joining with Mid- American Coaches of Washington, Missouri, and nationally with Naples Transportation & Tours headquartered in Naples, Florida, Palm Beach Tours & Transportation in Palm Beach, Florida, and now into Michigan with a LOI to acquire Michigan’s largest transportation provider, rapidly growing the company’s vertical while providing access to an already vast global network of HF Companies partners.
“We are thrilled to report our ongoing expansion in St. Louis and throughout the mid-west, further diversifying our portfolio and increasing accessibility to our corporate partners and affiliates,” says Tamir Rankow, Director Hoffmann Family of Companies. “We are strategically poised to move quickly on a series of growth opportunities in the pipeline as well,” he added. The HF Companies Business Services portfolio is continuously growing with a focus on becoming a $1 billion entity by Q4 2023.