NEWS 9's Gary England Honored at Awards Banquet

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran journalist John Greiner and meteorologist Gary England.

The men were honored Saturday in Oklahoma City at the group's annual awards banquet. Winners of SPJ's contest in the categories of newspaper, television, radio, magazine, online and public relations also were announced.

Greiner spent 37 with The Oklahoman, covering the state Capitol and politics. The Oklahoma Senate issued a resolution praising Greiner upon his retirement.

England has been with KWTV NEWS 9 in Oklahoma City for 38 years, and is known for making complex weather principles understandable to the average person. England recently received the Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news/weather among large television markets.

SPJ also honored Oklahoma Christian University journalism professor and author Philip Patterson.

NEWS 9 picked up 12 awards Saturday night at the SPJ award ceremony, including Best Investigative Reporting, Human Interest Reporting for TV and Best Newscast.