Obituaries published in the December 2021 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
RALPH LANGER
Promotions, additions, retirements and other staff changes at Texas newspapers.
MATTHEW TAMEZ
Coastal Bend Publishing
AUSTIN – Odessa American publisher Patrick Canty, whose newspaper has waged a lengthy legal battle for access to local public records, will be honored with the prestigious James Madison Award.
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented at the foundation’s state conference Sept. 24.
The Texas Better Newspaper Contest is going back to a calendar year contest period, giving newspapers a few more months to prepare for the next event.
For the past two contests, newspapers have submitted contest entries in late September and early October. There is no contest entry period this fall, however. Instead, entries will be accepted next spring. The contest is changing to adapt to TPA’s schedule of an annual summer convention.
The Texas Girls Coaches Association honored Texas Press Association with the Margaret McKown Distinguished Service Award, citing outstanding contributions to girls’ athletics, during an awards program held in conjunction with the group’s annual summer clinic. On behalf of TPA, Chairman Ramona Ferguson accepted the award from Brad Blalock, incoming TGCA board president. TPA was recognized for doing an outstanding job of promoting girls’ athletics throughout Texas by distributing press releases and covering girls’ athletics.
AMARILLO — The 111th annual meeting of the Panhandle Press Association held July 23-24 featured programs, panel discussions, contest awards and other recognitions.
GIDDINGS – Texas Gulf Coast Press Association members enjoyed programs featuring state officials as well as noted journalists during their 83rd convention at Tejas Camp & Retreat near Giddings. Speakers included a trio of Texas A&M graduates and college buddies, former Gov. Rick Perry, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp and Fayette County Judge Joe Weber; and Concordia University Professor Dr. Mike Wallace, a former journalism teacher at La Grange High School.
UVALDE — South Texas Press Association members gathered July 29-31 for the group’s 95th convention. Sessions were held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where the group was welcomed by Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. Speakers included Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writer, columnist, reporter and editor Jeffrey Gerritt, former editor of the Palestine Herald-Press, and decorated news photographer Dean Smith, who provided two sessions. Activities resumed Saturday with the annual business meeting and awards presentations.
The Azle News, Hill Country News, Pleasanton Express and Tyler County Booster have welcomed summer interns from among the 11 college students and recent college graduates who completed eight days of intensive virtual training at the University of Texas through the Center for Editing Excellence, operated by the Dow Jones News Fund, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Press Association.
BOERNE – Longtime Granite Publications employee and Boerne Star Publisher Jim Beaver has retired after 42 years in the newspaper profession.
Beaver, 67, started in the business at a daily newspaper in Festus, Missouri. He has worked at Granite Publications, The Star’s parent company, since 2008.
At the time of his retirement, he was one of two executive area publishers for the company, overseeing several newspapers in the group while also being responsible for The Boerne Star.