May 23, 2017 12:20 p.m.
Staff Report
For the fifth straight year, Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News, Publisher Brian Hews and staff garnered six Los Angeles Press Club finalist nominations to be awarded at the 59th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards, June 25, 2017 at the Millennium Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles.
This year, the Los Angeles Press Club received more than 1,200 entries, up 20 percent from last year.
The contest was judged by journalists at press clubs across the nation, including the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
The nomination categories for HMG-CN are Investigative Series and Sports articles.
And for the first time, HMG-CN Publisher Brian Hews has been nominated for Journalist of the Year.
“It is an honor to be nominated with such talented journalists,” said Hews, “Loren and I are very fortunate just to be mentioned with them.”
HMG-CN Sports Editor Loren Kopff garnered three nominations in the Sports category.
The stories were:
Longtime Cerritos Girls Softball Association Board Member to Step Down
Ex Cerritos Stars Cameron, Iseri Close the Book on Their Freshmen Year of College
Whitney High’s Iseri Goes on a Trip of a Lifetime, Learns a Lot About Fukushima
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s David Nusbaum was also nominated in the category for his story titled Team Tackles New Deals.
Hews was once again nominated in the prestigious Investigative Series category.
Hews’ exposé titled Governor Brown I- Bank Appointee Ruben Rojas Defrauded State, Several Other Employers exposed the graft and corruption at the highest level in the Montebello Unified School District.
The exposé led to the firing of MUSD Chief Business Officer Ruben Rojas and an eventual audit of the MUSD, which is ongoing, by the State of California.
Hews was also nominated for his article titled Questionable State Bid Process Leaves California HIV/AIDS Community In Jeopardy.
The story outlined how the California Department of Public Health/Office of AIDS blatantly and purposely violated several sections of the state’s Public Contract Code, the State Contract Manual, the Request for Proposal Process (RFP), and violated the Freedom of Information Act governing public records requests.
The article exposed that the CDPH/OA awarded a no-bid contract to A.J. Boggs, a Michigan based company, over Oakland based and minority owned Ramsell, who had administered the ADAP program for over 19 years.
The awarded contract ended up charging $9 million more over the term of the agreement.
Eddie Kim, Jon Regardie, and Sue Laris, of the Los Angeles Downtown News, were also nominated in the category for their story titled The Overlooked Homelessness Crisis: Women at Risk.
Daina Beth Solomon and Henry Meier of the Los Angeles Business Journal garnered a nomination for Prized Possessions.
Finally, Kevin Uhrich of the Pasadena Weekly was nominated for his story titled Family Fractures.
Hews was also nominated for the top honor in the competition, Journalist of the Year.
Also nominated for the honor were Brent Lang of Variety, Henry Meier of the Los Angeles Business Journal, Jon Regardie of the Los Angeles Downtown News, and Daina Beth Solomon of the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Brian and the entire staff, a job well done deserving of the recognition of all who value the integrity, honesty and truth in journalism.
Our deepest appreciation for your continued commitment to the foundation of our Constitution, Freedom of the press.
Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids, 10x25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching, Theater and Concerts, Hunting and Sport Games
$24.95 (as of May 7, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless, WMR-CANAS
$24.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw for Sports and Travel, BPA-Free, 24-oz, Blue/Teal (Denim)
$27.99 (as of May 7, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
15x52 HD Binoculars for Adults High Powered with Upgraded Phone Adapter - Large View Binoculars with Clear Low Light Vision - Lightweight Waterproof Binocular for Bird Watching Travel Hunting Cruise
$79.99 (as of May 7, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Bowman Baseball - Factory Sealed - Value Box
$29.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
OLIXIS Ice Maker, Ice Makers Countertop with Handle, Portable Ice Machine, 9 Bullet Ice Cubes in 6 Mins, 26lbs in 24Hrs, Auto-Cleaning, with Basket and Scoop, for Home, Kitchen, RV, Camping, Black
$49.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Geelfland Thank You Gifts for Women, Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Thank You Gift Baskets for Women Friends Teachers Coworkers Boss Nurse Mom Employees with Thank You Cards
$26.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HydroJug Traveler - 40 oz Water Bottle with Handle & Flip Straw - Fits in Cup Holder, Leak Resistant Tumbler-Reusable Insulated Stainless Steel & Rubber Base - Gifts for Women & Men, Pink Sand
$39.99 (as of May 7, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Norton 360 Premium 2025, Antivirus software for 10 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]
$29.99 (as of May 7, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MWIRB AI Translation Earbuds Real Time, 144 Language Translator Earbuds for iPhone and Android 3-in-1 Translation Headphones Translating Device for Travel Business Learning with Charging Case(Black)
$39.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)