BRIDGEWATER - Lighthouse Media Group's crime reporter Lisa Brown has been nominated for a prestigious Atlantic Journalism Award (AJA) for her ongoing coverage of the tragic murder of 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau.

 Ms Brown, who is also the assistant editor of the Bridgewater Bulletin and Progress Enterprise, has been nominated in the community reporting category.

 Recognizing excellence in various mediums, the AJAs are presented annually to print, television, radio, on-line and magazine reporters, photographers, editors and designers from throughout the Atlantic provinces.

 This year's awards will be presented during a gala event in Halifax on May 8 which will feature CNN's news anchor John Roberts as guest speaker.

 Although Ms Brown, who has been a Lighthouse employee for 20 years has won several awards throughout her career, primarily for crime reporting, this year's nomination marks her first AJA.

 Saying that the award was deserved, Lighthouse editor Vernon Oickle said Ms Brown consistently delivers well-written, well-researched and carefully crafted articles often on some very tough subject matters.

 'And there was none any tougher than the tragic death of young Karissa Boudreau,' he said. 'Her story touched the entire community in a profound way and as a news service we were fortunate to have a reporter with Lisa's abilities to follow it through to its sad conclusion.'

 Without question, Mr. Oickle said, this award is well-deserved and overdue.

 'I am certain I speak for the entire Lighthouse family when I say that we are proud of Lisa's success.'

posted on 04/13/10