The Impact And Reach Of Berlin Patch

Berlin Patch has been around for just over a year in town but the impact it has had on the community with breaking news; reporting and features cannot be underscored.

Each year the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) hand out awards for excellence in Journalism. Writers, photographers and videographers from all over the state are asked to submit their best work for judging by an out-of-state panel.

Berlin Patch Local Editor Bob Mayer submitted four articles in four different categories to be judged. When the list of finalists came out today, Mayer learned that all four of his submissions had made it on the list of finalists in the online-independent class.

The finalists are: General Column: "Austin Stowell Ready To Hit The Big Screen." General Reporting: "Warrant: Father Michael Exchanged Texts, Chats With Young Boy." Spot News: "Popular Priest Rushed To The Hospital." Sports Feature: "Szczepanik, Teammates, Will Honor Memory Of Mother On Senior Night."

"In a short time, Berlin Patch has become the leader in up to date news and part of everyone's life in town," Berlin Mayor Adam Salina said of Berlin Patch. "In this time, we've had an earthquake, a freak snowstorm in October and a hurricane. Power was out and the only real means of information was through Berlin Patch to cell phones. It gave the town an artery for information, updates and advisories that we never had before.

"When town officials now think of how to get word out quickly to the people in town, we think of Berlin Patch first. Bob Mayer does an incredible amount of work and cares about the community so deeply that he seems to be everywhere. We are truly lucky as a town to have Berlin Patch to get the news out immediately."