Baldwin Park: March 2011 Archives

San Gabriel Valley Tribune Staff Writer Thomas Himes is a finalist in the public service category for a statewide journalism contest for his reports on legally questionable police checkpoints and vehicle seizures in the Los Angeles suburb of Baldwin Park.

The California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) notified the Tribune Friday that Himes was selected as a finalist in the 2010 Better Newspapers Contest. The first place winner will be announced at CNPA's annual banquet April 16 in Los Angeles.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune is one of 21 newspapers in the 25,001 to 100,000 daily circulation division, Contest Coordinator Terri Vanderveer said.

The Baldwin Park City Council suspended police checkpoints last year and drafted more lenient vehicle impound policies after Himes wrote a series of articles on the checkpoints and the $1.2 million police netted in vehicle impounds.

The Bassett Unified School District announced it plans to honor Staff Writer Thomas Himes at the district's Cesar Chavez celebration on March 31.

School Board President Laura Santos said Himes was selected to receive a local hero award for his work reporting on police checkpoints and vehicle impounds in Baldwin Park.

The Baldwin Park City Council suspended police checkpoints earlier this year and drafted new policies governing their use after Himes wrote a series of articles on the checkpoints and constitutionally questionable practices.