Complete Story
 

03/14/2022

2021 Carrier of the Year winners

The Ohio News Media Association and the ONMA Circulation Committee are pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 ONMA Carrier of the Year Awards. The awards recognize outstanding newspaper carriers from across Ohio.

The winners are:

Lori HoonFirst place: Lori Hoon, Tribune Chronicle/The Vindicator

Lori Hoon of Canfield is a carrier for the Tribune Chronicle/The Vindicator. She has been a carrier for nearly 16 years and enjoys the flexibility of the position, as she can attend all her kids' activities. Over the years she has formed a special bond with her customers and has taken some of them to doctor appointments, helped them clear their snow, and much more.

As Hoon said, "Sometimes it goes above and beyond just delivering a paper." In her spare time she enjoys walking and exercising and watching her son race.

Hoon will receive $1000 and a statue award.

Watch a video of Hoon learning she won the Carrier of the Year award!

Second place: Jason Ribby, The Press Newspapers

Jason RibbyJason Ribby has delivered for multiple newspapers throughout the last 38 years.  He started delivering as a child where he went door to door selling a newspaper called GRIT.  This gave him a positive learning experience that has kept him attached to the newspaper industry ever since. For the last 10 years he has delivered a weekly route of 725 papers in Oregon, Ohio for The Press Newspapers. Ribby takes pride in getting his papers out on time and has always delivered in a thoughtful way that represents both himself and the industry in a positive light.

When Ribby isn’t in his car delivering newspapers, he works as an Asset Protection Operations Coach for Walmart and until recently served his community as a Firefighter / EMT.  In his free time Jason, likes to travel, go deep sea fishing, swim in the ocean, carpentry and be with his family.  Ribby takes great pride in being a father and has 3 children, 3 step-children and a wonderful and supportive fiancée named Jennifer.  His youngest child (daughter) Maizie, was born with Down Syndrome, which has led them to participate in events sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo.

Ribby will receive $750 and a plaque

Third place: Berkley Behrens, Marysville Journal Tribune

Berkley BehrensBerkley Behrens is 12 years old and has delivered the Marysville Journal Tribune for 4 years. He enjoys getting to know all hisy customers and providing them with a service that they depend on daily. He is also a wrestler, football player, baseball player and golfer. He won a 1st place State Wrestling Title in 2017, 3rd place State Wrestling in 2019 and a 1st place Baseball State Title in 2021. He also likes math and is a dog person who enjoys family time.

Behrens will receive $500 and a plaque.

Watch a video of Behrens learning he won the award.

The Carrier of the Year Achievement Awards Program was established in 1952 to honor youth newspaper carriers throughout Ohio. Over the years, a number of changes have been made to enhance the program that is now known as the Ohio News Media Carrier of the Year Award. The program and annual awards banquet were originally named for the founder, Glenn L. Cox, former Circulation Manager of the Dayton Daily News.

This year's Carrier of the Year Award sponsors are:

$250.00 LEVEL

  • AIM Media Midwest
  • Odgen Newspaper
  • Cox Media
  • Steel City Corp
  • Schermerhorn Bros. Co
  • Wilson Gregory Agency (
  • PDI Plastic
  • McNeil & Co Insurance & Risk Service

$100.00 LEVEL

  • Prime Time Promotions
  • Envision Delivery Systems
  • Circulation Sales

Printer-Friendly Version