P.O. Box 548, 132 Fairfield St. West, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0548 (208) 733-0931
Jan. 21, 2016 Dear Judges:
I humbly nominate Times-News reporter Eric Quitugua for the Idaho Press Club Rookie of the Year Award. Quitugua has jumped head-first into his first professional reporting job in rural southern Idaho. As general assignment reporter working out of a bureau, Quitugua has demonstrated the chops to cover everything from chicken dinners to the heartbreaking case of a missing woman. From the beginning, Quitugua set out to build relationships in the community, not only with key public figures but regular readers. Quitugua doesn’t just want to cover the communities on his beat – he wants to be a part of them. He regularly explores for stories even when he’s not on the clock. And he can spot an opportunity to tell a good story where other reporters may see only a brief. Quitugua is an asset to our news operation – and Idaho’s press.
Thank you for your consideration,
Matt Christensen Times-News Editor