Era staff claim 5 awards in state contest
Era staff claimed five wins in the 2025 Professional Keystone Media Awards, announced last week by the Pennsylvania News Media Association.
Era Managing Editor Sara Eddy Furlong earned first place in Enterprise Reporting for “Cyclone Lives Matter,” her work on Catalyst Energy Inc. of Pittsburgh’s wastewater disposal injection well in Cyclone. The 10-story series examined the Keating Township project, which concerned residents fought to halt by appealing to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
Sara Eddy Furlong
A Department of Environmental Protection permit allowed Catalyst to convert a well in the village from a conventional to a Class II injection disposal well, into which the company pumps hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic fracking wastewater. The Cyclone appellants laid out for the EHB their concerns, including drinking water, surface water and wetland contamination from gas and fluid migration, significant property devaluation, noise and light pollution and increased heavy truck traffic, along with more than 100 abandoned and improperly plugged wells in close proximity to the well site.
The group felt that Cyclone was targeted for the disposal well because Catalyst staff perceive its residents to be essentially “poor” and “uneducated,” and that they have been unable to find help from elected officials. The group was successful in November in prompting the EHB to issue a stay in the matter until a full hearing could be held, but operations continue.
Marcie Schellhammer
Editor and reporter Marcie Schellhammer earned second place for Columns for “Best of the Best,” on Simone Biles and the importance of caring for mental health; “Time and age,” on being as old as you feel; and “Our community,” on National Newspaper Week.
Wade Aiken
Photographer Wade Aiken scored two wins, first place for Feature Photo with “Merry Christmas magic” and Honorable Mention for Sports Action Photo for “Eyes on the prize.”
Jay Bradish
Photographer Jay Bradish earned an honorable mention in Breaking News Photo for a vehicle destroyed by fire.
This is Furlong’s first press award. A graduate of Bradford Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, she has served as managing editor at The Bradford Era since 2023. Furlong started work at The Bradford Era as a part-time sports writer in February 2002 and was named the first full-time female sports writer in the paper’s history in 2005. In April 2007, she joined the Olean Times Herald as special sections editor and was promoted to city editor in October the same year. Prior to rejoining The Era, Furlong served more than 12 years as executive communications coordinator at American Refining Group Inc.
This is Schellhammer’s 18th press award. A graduate of Otto-Eldred High School and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, she has been with The Era since 2001. She has been honored by the Pennsylvania News Media Association, Pennsylvania Associated Press Media Editors and The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for reporting and for writing columns.
Prior to this year, Aiken had twice won first place in the Keystone Media Awards. Aiken began his career at the Era in 1999 with a point and shoot digital camera that he soon realized was woefully inadequate and it was not long before he upgraded to a DSLR. Recently he has made the transition from DSLR to the new mirrorless cameras, which have features such as exceptional low light performance and silent shutter which increase his ability to shoot photos in virtually any situation and remain unobtrusive at events such as concerts.
Bradish has been capturing scenes for The Bradford Era since 1972. His photography often captures the intensity and bravery of emergency responders in action, while he also invests significant effort into chronicling the history of the local fire service. Bradish operates a forensic investigation and consulting service, Bradish and Associates LLC, specializing in fire/arson investigations, hazardous materials investigations, insurance and fraud investigations and general insurance claims. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a certified fire investigator (CFI) and fire investigation technician (FIT), as well as a certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI) and a certified vehicle fire investigator (CVFI) by the National Association of Fire Investigators.
Some other outlets competing in The Era’s division include the Centre Daily Times in State College, The York Dispatch, The Sentinel in Carlisle, The Express in Lock Haven, The Meadville Tribune, One United Lancaster, Lebanon Daily News and Bucks County Courier Times.
